DecodedCars2021 Lexus LS
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 500 4dr Sedan, 500h 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.4L 6-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 416 hp
- Transmission
- 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 25 city / 33 hwy
- Length
- 206.3 in
- Curb weight
- 4,938–5,225 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Emergency braking not standardAutomatic emergency braking is optional or limited to some trims.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 12 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Lexus LS is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.4L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 206 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 123-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,938 lb (500 4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (25 city / 33 highway), 2% better than the 2021 midsize car average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 LS — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 LS →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Aichi, Tahara
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2021 LS configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 4dr Sedan | 206.3 in | 74.8 in | 57.5 in | 123.2 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,938 lb | 53/47 |
| 500h 4dr Sedan | 206.3 in | 74.8 in | 57.5 in | 123.2 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 5,225 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS 500h Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | +2% | $2,950 | 314 |
| LS 500h AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 29 / 26 | -5% | $3,150 | 343 |
| LS 500 | 3.4L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 29 / 22 | -20% | $3,750 | 399 |
| LS 500 AWD | 3.4L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 21 | -23% | $3,900 | 432 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 Lexus LS.
Similar 2021 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Lexus LS (this car) | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 BMW 7 Series | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Porsche Panamera | 22 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 Audi A8 | 23 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2021 Maserati Quattroporte | 19 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2021 Polestar 2 | 233 mi | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Apr 17, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V275000 · 509 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24LA03.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) › Control Module › Software · Apr 13, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V239000 · 458,110 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
Not every 2021 Lexus LS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Lexus LS buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Wheels — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Tires › Tread/Belt — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Exterior Lighting — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Lexus LS. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other LS years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 LS | 21 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 LS | 25 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 3 | 3 |
| 2024 LS | 25 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 LS | 25 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 LS | 25 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 LS | 28 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 LS | 28 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 7 |
| 2018 LS | 28 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 19 |
| 2017 LS | 19 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 LS | 20 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 6 |
| 2015 LS | 20 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 7 |
| 2014 LS | 20 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 11 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →