Inflation affects pretty much everyone. In the automotive industry, this decline in the purchasing value of money is most evident in the supply chain. Automakers are charged more dollars by the suppliers, and these additional costs trickle down to the consumer in the guise of higher starting prices.
Lexus recently detailed the 2024 model year LX for the US market, and surprisingly enough, prices haven’t changed one bit. In comparison, the 2024 model year LS luxury sedan is $3,100 pricier than before. How come? Rather than inflation, Toyota decided to improve the LS with more standard kit.
As opposed to the 2023 model, the aforementioned $3,100 gets you a standard wireless phone charger, head-up display, 12.3” multi-information display, and the Digital Key feature. Digital Key means that you and others can use your smartphones to unlock, lock, and start the vehicle. According to Toyota, Digital Key can be shared with up to seven guests.
Starting at $80,685 for the internal combustion-engined 500 and at $115,560 for the hybrid-assisted 500h, the 2024 Lexus LS will arrive in dealer showrooms later this year. The aforementioned prices include a $1,350 destination freight charge.
2024 updates further include a new exterior paint color dubbed Silver Illusion, which costs an eye-watering $3,100. It joins nine other colors, including optional hues priced at $500 and $595.
New wheel designs are in the offing as well, along with the Lexus Safety System suite and Bluetooth connectivity for up to two devices connected at any one time. The 12.3” infotainment system can register up to five in total. Cordless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, Traffic Jam Capability, Safety Connect, and Service Connect are fully standard as well.
Photo: Lexus
Not every LS is born equal, though. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 is standard on the gas-only 500, whereas the far more expensive 500h comes with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite of safety and convenience features. Be that as it may, version 2.5 is more than sufficient. Pre-Collision System opens the list, followed by Intelligent High Beams, All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Left Turn Vehicle Intersection Support.
Both the Luxury and Executive packages come with a leather-wrapped and wood-accented heated steering wheel. Executive models can be further spruced up with Kiriko Glass ornamentation and hand-folded pleats on the door trim. Out back, options worthy of your attention include heated and massage seats, as well as a passenger-side rear seat which can be reclined by as much as 48 degrees.
Those interested in driving the car instead of being chauffeured are presented with the LS F Sport, which flaunts larger brakes, nicer tires, rear-wheel steering, Active Stabilizer Suspension, and Variable Gear Ratio Steering. Unfortunately for prospective customers, the LS isn’t a wowzer under the hood.
As ever, we’re dealing with a twin-turbo V6 for the 500 or a naturally-aspirated V6 for the 500h. Both powertrains are outgunned by the V8s of the German competition. BMW offers a 4.4 in the 760i xDrive (starting at $121,300), whereas the Mercedes S 580 4Matic ($124,000) packs a 4.0er.
The 2024 Lexus LS does feature more forward gears, though. Both the 500 and 500h come with 10-speed units, albeit very different in their designs. To put it simply, the 500 features a torque-converter tenner as opposed to a four-speed auto and an electric continuously variable transmission for the 500h.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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