Trim and Powertrain
The LS 500h comes as a single, fully loaded trim with standard all-wheel drive. The components of its gas-electric powertrain are a 3.5-liter V6 engine and dual electric motors managed by a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that’s programmed to emulate a ten-speed automatic. This system produces a combined 354 horsepower. According to the EPA, it achieves 22 miles per gallon around town and 29 mpg on the highway.
Standard Features
As the largest gas-electric sedan for the Lexus brand, the LS 500h includes a long list of standard features inside and out. On the performance side, this four-door comes with paddle shifters, an adaptive variable air suspension with height adjustment, and a drive selector with sport, custom, and EV modes. The cabin is as luxurious as they come, with quilt-stitched perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, 28-way power front seats (heated and ventilated) with a massage feature and cushion extender, 18-way power rear outboard seats (heated) with memory. The driver’s seat has a position memory system, and there’s remote adjustment for the passenger positions. Some other highlights of this uncommonly well-outfitted sedan are quad-zone climate control, a power moonroof, power sunshades for the rear and rear side windows, semi-aniline leather and premium wood cabin accents, and a wood-trimmed steering wheel that’s heated and wrapped in leather.
The LS 500h also has proximity keyless entry, push-button ignition, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a hands-free power-opening and closing trunk, LED exterior lighting with triple-beam adaptive front lighting (that directs the lights in coordination with the steering), active noise cancellation, a windshield de-icer, headlamp washers, a 24-inch head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and noise-reducing 20-inch alloy wheels.
Advanced Safety Technology and Driver Aids
It’s no surprise that Lexus has equipped the LS 500h with a comprehensive lineup of the latest safety technologies. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite provides pre-collision support with pedestrian detection, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign assist, and automatic high beams. Lexus Teammate, the brand’s semi-autonomous driving system, is standard, too. The LS 500h also gets blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view monitor, semi-autonomous parking support with automatic braking, a full complement of airbags (including rear-seat protection), vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and smart stop braking (to limit unintended acceleration).
Infotainment and Connectivity
Lexus LS 500h infotainment is centered around a 12.3-inch touchscreen that unites the 23-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, cloud-based navigation, and Hey Lexus voice-command technology. There’s also Wi-Fi hotspot access and the Lexus App for remote services, plus multiple USB ports. The rear-seat passengers have a separate 7-inch touchscreen controller installed in the armrest.