What makes the LS 500 still attractive
To be fair, it’s not all doom and gloom. The LS still brings several strengths:
Pros / strengths
- Refinement, comfort, and quietness
The LS is often praised for how smooth and hushed it is. It still does the “luxury barge” role well. - Reliability reputation (to a point)
Lexus enjoys a strong brand reputation for reliability, and many owners and review aggregated sources still rate the LS highly in reliability.- For example, iSeeCars gives the LS 500 a reliability score of 8.2/10 and an average lifespan of ~12.7 years / ~142,000 miles.
- Consumer reviews tend to praise “quality” and “reliability” as the strongest attributes of the 2025 LS.
- Feature content, luxury touches
The cabin, materials, tech (infotainment, safety suite) are still competitive, and Lexus keeps updating with features like their driver-assist systems. - Resale and longevity potential
Because luxury sedans are less common than before, and Lexus has brand cachet, a well-maintained LS could retain value better than many other sedans in its class.
Where the heartbreak sets in: The “unfortunate truths”
As with many “mature” models, the LS500 is showing its age, and that comes with tradeoffs — some severe for discerning buyers.
Major drawbacks / risks
- Outdated platform / aging architecture
The current LS generation was last fundamentally redesigned several years ago. Many rivals (Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7, Genesis G90) have newer underpinnings, more modern electronics, improved electrification, and better dynamic performance.
Car and Driver explicitly calls it “showing its age” and says its “driving demeanor fails to live up to its aggressive styling.” - Weakness in driving engagement / performance
If you want a flagship sedan that’s fun to drive, the LS falls short. Its focus is comfort and refinement, which means rivals with sportier calibrations, more power, and sharper handling feel more compelling to many buyers.
The hybrid version also is criticized for offering little performance upside and having a CVT-based transmission that feels “sloppy.” - Complex systems, more things to break
Over time, as cars accumulate miles, luxury sedans with many systems (air suspension, electronics, advanced driver assist sensors, etc.) tend to have more failure points. The LS is no exception.- The LS uses air suspension in many trims — that can be a source of expensive repairs (leaks, compressors, sensors).
- Electronics/infotainment may lag behind competitors. Some users already complain about aged UI, controls, infotainment lag, etc.
- There’s also a recent recall: in 2025 Toyota / Lexus recalled certain LS models (2024–2025) for a digital instrument cluster display issue (cluster may fail to show critical info).
- Limited updates / stagnation
For 2025, the LS only gets a price hike; there are no major mechanical or structural updates.
That means if you're buying new now, you're already stepping into a car that’s “old news.” - Changing market dynamics / lower demand for sedans
The luxury sedan segment is shrinking. Customers are gravitating toward SUVs and crossovers. The economics of producing and maintaining flagship sedans are more challenging.
Also, in the UK, the LS has already been dropped from the lineup, citing poor sales and regulatory issues. - Resale / obsolescence risk
Because it’s already toward the end of its lifecycle, you may face accelerated depreciation, difficulty in parts sourcing or updates, or lower buyer interest in the future.
So — should you buy one in 2025?
It boils down to your priorities, risk tolerance, and how much you care about “future proofing.”
Here are scenarios:
| If your priority is … | Verdict / caution |
|---|---|
| Absolute comfort, luxury, and quiet cruising | LS still delivers. If those are your top criteria and you're okay with compromise elsewhere, it’s a strong choice. |
| Cutting-edge tech, sporty driving, performance | Look elsewhere (S-Class, BMW 7, Genesis). The LS is behind in that respect. |
| Lower maintenance risk / long-term reliability | Lexus brand helps, but the advanced systems and aging platform add risk. Be conservative in expectations. |
| Resale, long-term value, avoiding obsolescence | There’s real risk here. You may burn in value or get stuck with expensive fixes down the road. |
If I were advising myself: I would hesitate. If budget allows, I'd consider waiting to see the next generation (if Lexus announces one), or choose a newer competitor. But if there’s a stellar deal, excellent local dealer support, and you accept its compromises, it’s not a terrible car — just not the “perfect” flagship anymore.