- the lexus ls luxury sedan is getting a few styling and technology updates for 2021.
- the infotainment system now uses a touchscreen, and there are a few tweaks that promise to improve quietness.
- the 2021 ls500 and ls500h hybrid models should go on sale in the u.s. later this year.
the fifth generation of lexus's flagship sedan benefits from a few changes for 2021. the updated ls500 and ls500h hybrid models look a bit different, are said to be quieter, and now use a touchscreen infotainment system. pictured here is the japan-market version, but official information on the u.s.-spec 2021 ls are coming later this summer, lexus says.
a new headlight design is the key change up front, and the taillights have new trim surrounds. there's a new special silver color called gin-ei luster, and a few newly available interior trim options. more notable is the revised infotainment setup that now uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen rather than relying on the touchpad on the center console. this should improve the ls's ergonomics, one of our chief complaints with the sedan previously.
powertrain options still include a 416-horsepower twin-turbo 3.5-liter v-6 in the ls500 and a 354-hp gas-electric hybrid drivetrain in the ls500h; lexus says it has revised the transmission programming for both models. tweaks to the engine mounts, seats, and active noise cancellation system purport to make the ls quieter than before.
lexus says it will share more u.s. details for the 2021 lexus ls within the next few months. we don't anticipate its pricing will change much from the current starting prices of $76,475 for the ls500 and $81,035 for the ls500h.