2026 Lexus LS Review, Specs, Changes – The LS was the first model of a new premium brand from the Japanese automaker, Lexus. The company’s massive investment in R&D paid off, and Lexus quickly gained reputation across the world as proof it could build a luxury automobile that could compete. The LS 400 was also significantly cheaper than similar models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
While this was going on, on the opposite end of the spectrum, Hyundai, a Korean automaker, was providing entry-level vehicles in North America that were powered by outdated Mitsubishi drivetrains. Among the three versions supplied by the corporation, pricing was the only real selling point.
Lexus has been one of the world’s most beloved and reliable luxury automobile companies for the past 30 years. Meanwhile, Hyundai has done incredible effort to move up the automotive industry ladder, becoming one of the leading manufacturers in the world and even introducing a luxury brand during that time. 2026 Lexus LS Review
2026 Lexus LS Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
These premium luxury cars may be large, but they aren’t quite as functional as equally lavish SUVs. Although the Lexus has a little bigger cargo space (481 L vs. 444 L), the Genesis can swallow heavier objects thanks to its higher trunk and wider opening, so both vehicles still have roomy trunks.
Both vehicles have roomy interiors that can comfortably seat four adults, and even with the rear seats’ complex controls, they can fit an extra passenger in the middle of the back with the consoles flipped up.
These luxury automobiles have everything you might want for a pleasurable journey on dry land. In addition to plush upholstery and plush interior features, both vehicles come with sunroofs; however, the LS 500 has a panoramic sunroof, which is substantially bigger than the G90’s regular model.
The 17-speaker audio system in the G90 is great, but the Lexus’s 23-speakers are much better, and they might be the greatest I’ve ever heard in a car. The LS 500’s two rear-seat displays, equipped with Blu-ray players and HDMI inputs, make it possible for even the most mobile Hollywood moguls to be productive.
Neither vehicle has Tesla’s level of semi-autonomous driving capabilities, but both have adaptive cruise control that helps them stay in their lanes in both slow-moving and fast-paced traffic. In contrast to the Lexus’s continual zigzagging between lanes, the Genesis’s system has been fine-tuned to make driving seem more natural in congested areas, with steady acceleration and appropriate gap between the car ahead.
2026 Lexus LS Specs
Engine and Performance
There is some deceit in the power ratings of these two luxury automobiles. Comparing the G90 against the LS 500, the 5.0L V8 seems to have a little edge over the 3.5L V6 with dual turbochargers. When you consider that each of these vehicles weigh in at 2,225 kg (4,905 lb), the difference between 416 and 420 horsepower is almost nothing.
The fact that the Lexus achieves its peak twist at 1,600 rpm, while the G90 gets its peak twist at a stratospheric 5,000 RPM, should make the 442 lb-ft of torque more important than the 383 lb-ft in the Genesis.
If it weren’t so degrading, the LS 500, which is suitably fast, would probably beat the G90 in a drag race. The Lexus delivers very powerful mid-range performance. From a stop, the LS 500 seems slow due to the throttle response and gearing of the 10-speed automatic transmission. For decades, this gradual surge of power, instead of a rapid acceleration technique, has been a characteristic of LS.
Even if the G90 doesn’t slam its passengers into their seats, it has a more exuberant sensation as you accelerate from a standstill. Plus, unlike the Lexus gearbox, the eight-speed automatic is natural with the V8’s powerband and seldom has to seek gears.
2026 Lexus LS Fuel Economy
The LS 500’s V6 may not be as refined as the G90’s V8, but it more than compensates with its fuel economy. Its 13.8 L/100 km city fuel economy is 1.5 L/100 km better than the Genesis’s. The total rating is 11.1 vs 12.8 and the highway scores are 8.7 versus 10.1, so it’s the same. Both of these vehicles nevertheless manage respectable fuel economy, particularly when contrasted with other high-end SUVs.
With an 82-liter gasoline tank in the Lexus and an extra liter in the Genesis, both vehicles offer respectable range for extended highway trips.
2026 Lexus LS Safety Features
Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, parking sensors, road sign display, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert are all standard equipment on all LS models.
The Lexus Safety System Plus A Package, which costs $3,200, adds features including front cross-traffic warning, automated lane change, and radar-enhanced adaptive cruise control. Buyers may also choose between a 24-inch head-up display ($1,220), a rearview camera mirror ($200), or a surround-view camera system ($800). The 500h is equipped with a hands-free highway driving system and fully automated parking as standard features.
2026 Lexus LS Price and Release Date
A fresh entrant to the premium market, Lexus made a strong argument a few decades ago with aggressive pricing and superb engineering. This LS 500 tester is priced at almost $140,000 before taxes, which puts it in direct rivalry with some tough V8-powered competitors from BMW and Mercedes. To be fair, the base price of an LS 500 is just over $100,000. However, if you want the panoramic sunroof, air suspension, and some of the dynamic safety systems, you’ll need to add the $13,000 Luxury package.
So now Genesis is the segment leader when it comes to value. The G90 is an incredible steal in its class at $89,750 MSRP, and there are no need to spring for pricey extras because it already has all the features offered by the company. When you consider that Genesis includes complimentary maintenance and concierge services for five years, the value becomes clear.
For many years, Lexus has lived up to its justifiable reputation for superior craftsmanship and long-lasting reliability. The innovative technologies, like as adaptive cruise control, continue to function flawlessly after more than 15 years of operation, as I can attest from personal experience having had two of these vehicles. Genesis will have a long way to go before it can compete with the prestige that Lexus has already achieved.