Article Highlights:

• The 2022 Lexus LS 500 is now available at dealerships and on the Lexus website
• 416 hp and 422 lb-ft from a twin-turbo V6
• $76,000 MSRP

If the well-known Lexus IS 500 isn’t for you, then the brand’s newest performance offering might be a bit more up your alley. The 2022 Lexus LS 500 (that’s “ell-ess,” not IS) is a continuation of what is arguably the brand’s most famous nameplate. The LS 400 luxury sedan is what put Toyota’s luxury-leaning brand on the map. Now, the performance-leaning LS 500 is here to pick up where the 400 left off.

The LS 500 is a change of pace

While the LS 500 luxury sedan is, well, a luxury car, the new model looks to inject a little more sport into that sedan. Frankly, it’s not really something that need to be done in a luxury car, but it’s what’s selling. Other manufacturers and their sedans, like the Audi is doing the same thing with the S8. With that in mind, Lexus tossed in a peppy twin-turbo V6 to match the S8.

However, the word “peppy” gets used because at a maximum of 5,100 lbs, the LS’s 416 hp motor has some work cut out for it. Thankfully, the 2022 Lexus LS 500 manages to get to 60 mph in a relatively quick 4.8 seconds. Surely the optional AWD system is responsible for that number. That said, should you wish, you can still keep the new LS solely driven by the rear wheels if you wish. We would, as it knocks quite a bit of weight off and helps with fuel economy.

Luxury sedan speed and a sports car drive

Speaking of driven wheels, it’s time to talk about how the LS 500 drives. In a word: “eh.” Several other publications have been underwhelmed with the driving experience compared to the competition. But, the 2022 Lexus LS 500 is a luxury sedan, not a sports sedan. With that in mind, the ride and interior are far more important.

Finally, Lexus and Toyota are beginning to update their biggest weakness: infotainment. The LS 500 is one of the first models to benefit from this, alongside the new Toyota Tundra. It is, in short, a massive game changer. Where there was a massive weakpoint is not an infotainment system that can keep pace with the modern era. Speaking of keeping pace with the modern era, the ride in the LS certainly befits a luxury sedan, but somewhat falls apart under hard driving.

How much is the 2022 Lexus LS 500?

Should you want to get yourself into a 2022 Lexus LS 500, the lineup starts at $76,000 MSRP with models hitting dealers late this year. Adding options like the Luxury pack (heated and cooled seats among other things) will bump that price up, but the LS still comfortably undercuts the majority of its German competition. Will the LS 500 be the game changer the LS 400 was? Probably not, but it is a step in the right direction for the brand.