The 2021 Lexus LS 500 Is A Revised Japanese Flagship Luxury Sedan 

Bought a used 2019 AWD with a sticker of $101k for $62k. Mint condition. Couldn’t be happier.

No doubt one of the best luxury sedans in the world. So many older LS still on the road today. I had many. All of them are still running today. Amazing

It may be dated in terms of tech, but it provides the luxury of knowing it's gonna last forever. I have a 2010 LS and it still drives like a brand new car. I dont think german competition is able to do that

I could care less about speed. Give me the Lexus any day for ride, comfort, reliability, resale value. You don't buy a Lexus for cutting edge tech, but for that solid build and supreme comfort.

Lexus IS the only true Japanese luxury brand because the LS sedan, LX full size SUV and the sexy LC Coupe & LC convertible. Acura & Infinity now are just Premium brands that set them apart from Honda & Nissan respectively but they are no longer luxury brands like Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi and Lexus. Kudos to Lexus for keeping up with the game and now I only think Lexus when it comes to luxury brands .

I literally have CDs in my LS 460. I use vinyl and CDs at home and run a two channel system. Welcome to the Lexus buyer.

You all journalist forget the most important thing about a Lexus vehicle . It’s RELIABILITY

The Lexus LS has never been a favorite of younger drivers because 1 most can’t afford it 2 I don’t think it’s meant to appeal to young drivers because it’s not a sports car. These cars have tremendous appeal to the 50,60,70 year olds who want an attractive, quiet, dependable, built to last forever, stately looking,high resale value ,and top notch customer service and we know that the Lexus LS has been and still remains that car.

It might be outdated on tech, but this Lexus will last longer than any Benz, BMW or any luxury vehicle. Just saying

Also something you won’t find in the competition, reliability lol

They could give this Motor and Transmission on the IS 350 (Replacing the outdated 3.5L NA with 6-Speed) and call it a day. Or atleast a detuned version making about 350hp and trqs. So it can atleast compare to the M340i, C43, S4

I see these occasionally and they’re truly even more stunning in person

the best Japanese big luxury Sedan of the World 👍

Both the LS and the Germans will last a long time when properly maintained. The difference is the cost is significantly higher in the German brands since they stay at or ahead of the technological curve vs the Japanese way of tried and true. For this reason LS owners tend to keep their cars for longer since there's typically nothing of significance wrong with the vehicle whereas there's a lot more likely to break or malfunction among the Germans that no one wants (rich or not) especially after the factory warranty runs out.

I love a CD player. Uncompressed audio, and it's more reliable with less delay than Bluetooth.

I just want you to know, that I still use CDs and I'm glad the LS has a CD player. I'm outdated for sure but I don't care

I hate the ultra focus on tech in cars now , you can buy this and know it was grenade itself in 4 years

Top shelf car and review, I have a 19 and love it! Keep up the great work and keep after Lexus too.

This guy is a complete complaint maniac! What's wrong with the CD player?

Solid review!

I have a 2021 LS500. It rides like a dream and the Mark Levinson system is a knock out and white leather is available 🌞

It's a great luxury sedan, but it still needs a V8 engine option to really compete in the segment

I don’t think many young guys are buying 100k dollar cars lol. For me, 30k car is a stretch.

This car is beautiful..

I see no issue with including a CD player! I still keep a case of them in my car lol.

Sofyan, why does it bother you that a company offers a CD player? CDs sound better than compressed music. That's why some companies offer it. We audiophiles appreciate the difference, and we are grateful for its availability.

People don't understand the whole point. Toyota/ Lexus makes small changes overtime thats the whole point which equals reliability. People wonder why BMW and Mercedes don't have the same reliability. 25 years from now that Lexus will be on the road and the others maybe. Lexus doesn't need to be like everyone else that's what makes them unique. I have owned two LS cars and they were the best cars I ever owned never a problem and a top notch service department. As a result, Mercedes and BMW would not be what they are today if Lexus had not entered the market and made them up there game. If you want a sport sedan then go buy one if you a supremely built car that will stand the test of time buy a Lexus. Younger please!! I'm younger and enjoy Lexus cars and what they stand for. As soon as Lexus starts building cars like the competition the same people will be complaining about that, but buy what you like.

I understand the technology complaints but the gauge cluster really doesn't need to be a giant screen it's a design choice

Love your videos when will we see the 2022 Mazda CX-5

I really wish I could afford an executive package LS500. One day lol

I have been looking at this shape LS and a 3 year old one is good value and a lot of prestige for the money.

Why do some people complain when there are CD players in cars, I mean if it wasn't there, its just gonna be a blank space, so why not put something there

I like the fact that you hit them where it was needed 😄. You didn't forgive the shortcomings. I have an F sport and love it, but I agree with all your points, for me the dash of the non F sport model was the deal breaker. Great review as always!

You can play blue ray DVD’s on the CD player when when car is parked. Perfect for when I’m waiting at the mall for my wife. Love that Lexus kept that feature.

Not every car needs two massive screens IMO. It's a fad and needs to not be promoted unless it's extremely well done and not just a slab for the sake of it

Dream car. Instrument panel screen actually looks classy and not overdone or exaggerated.

Good review on the car and one I'd have (money no object) over the German rivals. Today's buyers on cars sometimes miss the plot. For a car like Lexus, you buy it for reliability, durability, build quality, and luxury over performance and technology. IMHO I don't think you can have all those in a car. The German manufacturers tried it relentlessly and the servicing costs and quality complaints about computer and software issues I hear from friends and family owning various marks over the years tells me that overcomplicating cars and cramming it with too much tech just doesn't work because it makes servicing more complex and more expensive to accomplish.

You know what will attract those buyers?? The 23 speaker surround sound!!! I just bought it. Its being delivered in 7 days. Im done with mercedes and the problems/maintenance. Like you said this car is gorgeous and BULLETPROOF and RELIABLE! Thats all I need now.

I dont think Lexus is marketing these cars to the young crowd. They are marketing a car like this to middle-age business-class buyers, and there's nothing wrong with that. They've never been known for tech innovation, but people buy them for superior quality and reliability.

I like what they're doing with this. Somehow the luxury market began turning toward more screens, colored lights, drive modes, and breakneck speed. The LS could use some updates, but this is the kind of luxury car I'd buy and keep, whereas the competition I wouldn't want to be stuck with outside of a lease and warranty. I love tech, but you don't get reliability by changing stuff all the time. If money were no object, of course I'd want the S-Class over this, but it's arguably in a different class with a starting price 30% more than than a base LS. This is where Genesis can really make an impact with people that aren't buying a badge; looking at the $74,000 G90 with much better tech, more modern looks, seemingly similar quality, and an optional V8.

great review - would love to see better focus of the "road" camera on the road - looks like it struggled to focus and a lot of sun interference, but not sure how to fix!

Love the channel but the way he bashes lexus gets old. Lexus looks good and will last forever with minimum maintenance case closed

I am a Lexus fan but they are falling behind Mercedes and BMW. I don't care what anyone says. LS needs a V8. It is their freaking flagship sedan ! I don't care if its twin turbo yada yada yada. Your flagship sedan has to have a V8.

As a Lexus apologist, he makes some valid points about the outdated tech.

I love them I would get a awd version if I had the money to get one new

Hey! I still use a CD in my car 🤣. Beautiful sedan! I like seeing the older folks in these. I know they’re safe. Too much tech isn’t good for the older folk. They’ll get flustered lol. If I saw someone young driving this, I’d think it’s their dads or grandmas car. 🤣

Love the LS!! I agree the tech sucks. Thanks RR for the awesome video!

Don’t think Lexus/ Toyota are too focus on this platform anymore. It’s just here just to say they have it.

As Savagegeese recently stated in testing one of these, “a great sedan in need of a V-8”

The CD player speaks to the average owner of these cars. Old people might still have a collection of CDs that they'd like to use in their car, so I don't necessarily think it was a bad decision to include a CD player.

The only issue with this LS is that the ES looks equally as big, as luxurious and as similar in design. And the rear seat legroom is just not enough.

That interior is gorgeous

a lot of people who still use cds lol

This will be my car 5 years from now

They do not need to get rid of the cd player

This review is what happens when the reviewer is not part of the target market.

Bro you don’t get a Lexus for speed you get a Lexus so you don’t feel like a peasant

My next car 😍😍

i don't agree that the driver's screen is too small. Size isn't everything and I think they were going for a certain look and I like that it's simple, straightforward and as Joe Friday used to say, "Just the facts, ma'am."

And this car will still be on the road 250000 miles from now. Audi, BMW, MB, Jaguar? Not so much

I’m devastated you think a cream interior would go better with the manganese luster…

Omg this guys is just complaining about Lexus, and comparing it with the not reliable competitors… I’d prefer to get old infotainment system with reliable car rather than a crazy informaient with high tech but reliability shit…

Does a larger dash screen make it better?

The current LS is a study in compromises, something you don't want in your flagship "I've arrived" luxury sedan purchase. It likes to remind you that there are better luxury sedans out there. They may not be better built, but they are better luxury cars.

Eh.. as a “younger” buyer I would buy the LC500 or the IS500 over this if I had the choice. But I can definitely see my dad who’s in his 60s go for this type of car.

newsflash junior, mercedes clients are not loyal at all, actually many ex MB owners (like myself) are now devoted Lexus fans. True opinion without any sponsors (like you). Lexus number one!

Just returned my 2018 Mercedes S450 lease and picked up a 2021 Mercedes S580. Before I returned the lease I went and check out the Lexus LS500 but tbh at the price Lexus is asking it comes no where near MB if we're talking about Luxurious, ride quality, techs, infotainment, rear seat entertainment...etc. You can talk about reliability all day but I lease the MB so I could careless about it. Lexus needs to step it up with a total new design otherwise it will not get anyone attention at all. The price of the LS that the dealer is asking put it near the S500 but even when comparing to the S500 it's no where near. Like I said, you can talk all day about reliability but in my 3 years that I leased the MB S450 I never had a problem, only service every 5K miles and brake tire like normal. It's a shame that I see more audi A8, Bmw 7 series then I see the LS500. At least in my area I only saw the LS500 like 2-3 times

Is Lexus Twin Turbo V6 better than their V8?

I can't believe it: I wholly agree with Sofyan's review! LOL! I LOVE the design of the LS. It is so daring against the boring A8, the played out 7-Series, and the NOW anonymously-styled W223 S-Class(my 2017 S63 will likely be my last Benz). It is very unique. Unfortunately, as we've seen with Toyota's TNGA-platformed cars, the interior packaging is seriously lacking, particularly rear seat accommodations. Pop into any of the Big 3 Germans and they're downright cavernous by comparison, despite having the same 205-207" of length. What is most depressing about the LS is the lack of tech that is demanded on a $100K car. And please...spare me the reliability argument. The graphics, lack of wireless Carplay, no uplevel turbo V8(PLEASE drop the amazing 5.0 in it!) or more powerful V6, and just an overall feeling of lack compared to its German and Korean competitive set(yes, the G90 Ultimate is better buy than this) is a miss for this car. It is not good when a 2014 W222 S550 offers a greater luxury environment than a car that came out 4 years later.

He keeps talking like it just came out yesterday! I mean it's time for a new version. I'm sure the next redo will be stunning for sure!

Honestly I find this interior better as an owner. I'm not a fan tech gimmicks being crammed into a car unnecessarily. So many of them could break. I'd much rather the LS if it means I don't have to pay tons to service the car regularly.

I have owned 17 new and 3 used cars in my life, going back to a 1963 Ford Fairlane (the only one I drove more than 100K miles). The low point was a Ford Pinto. The best by far was a Lexus LS430. I never cared what that car's 0-to-60 time was. I could afford and have always embraced technological progress, which is why I never kept even the best Lexus for too long. During my childhood, heaters and arm rests were optional equipment. Nowadays, we criticize a car whose ambient lighting color can't be changed? Eye roll.

This is a perfect car for my dad, he can barely use his cell phone! lol

What's with the Japanese falling behind on high tech electronics? They use to be the go to for consumer electronics like the Sony Walkman, now it's iPhones. Toyotas maybe reliable, but up-to-date electronics would be nice on a top model luxury car.

Rear seat entertainment and refrigerator is optional in some markets

the gauge setup is fine the way it is. stop asking for more screens

Also, not every car needs massive screens, it's cool that lexus keeps its original white dials

I still use CDs. At least they're physical and I can choose whatever band/song I want, whenever I want, unlike Android Auto. Not to mention mobile data wasted. :-( I don't mind android auto, but if I'm pay a ton of money, I want to have both.

The LS may be a bit underrated but atleast I appreciate Lexus for keeping the flagship and making it as nice and reliable as possible unlike some of its competitors like Lincoln or jaguar who killed their XJ and continental

This is the most sporty and dynamic entry in the segment especially with F-Sport. Smokes the floaty boaty S-class 7er and especially Genesis "Fleetwood Brogham" G90. Besides, you said this is the most dynamic in the segment when you first drove it, but now you say that it is numb? Maybe it has something to do with the air suspension.

Long in the tooth? It’s only its 4th year. I have a 2019 RWD, average 26 Mpg in city + hwy, and have gotten 31 MPG on hwy trips at 70-75 mph. Rides like I am on a cloud (after I replaced the stupid run flats) and I love the interior. I didn’t want an ipad to drive, tech gets outdated, and the touch pad is fine when you get used to it. BTW the reason it has a cd player is that smart phone music can’t make use of the sound system which is as good as any luxury car I have been in, including Mercedes S

This car feels many years behind the new s class. Also when will the big grill craze be over omg 😱

Why it doesn’t has wireless charging panel???

It will be interesting to see if lexus keep producing the lexus LS or decide to make a suv their flagship, time will tell i guess.

I love this car 💞

15:37 that was a stop sign you just blew through.

I see you’ve decided to review the newest Lexus Grill.

Also sofyan 0-60 is not in 5.5 seconds for the Ls500. Alex on autos got 4.6 seconds 0-60 with the regular LS and 5.2 with the LS500h Your 0-60 time you got for reference is as fast as my v6 Camry lol

Toyota's vision of durability, quality, and reliability is the reason they can't move too fast with time. It is a value in their DNAs that they are not going to deviate from. Yes, they make more boring and less techy cars, but I have seen far fewer angry Lexus owners who complain about reliability issues than I have seen from Jag, BMW, Audi, and even Benz owners. There is something to be said about the overall ownership experience. As a Lexus LS430 owner, however, I think the biggest mistake Lexus made was to aim for a sportier car in LS500. Ditching the V8 was a huge mistake.

What matters to me is will this LS be as quiet (wind noise, tire noise) and ride quality as good as an S class? If not then its a pass. I am looking at leasing an S class not buying it because any car for me gets old after 3-5 years of ownership. There are people who drive their cars until the wheels fall off and for them this LS is perfect. I have been in an S class with ABC and air suspension and an LS just doesn’t compare as to how quiet and smooth a properly equipped S class rides. The thickness of the glass, the insulation etc all add to luxury and Lexus falls short in those categories. I have not been in this new Lexus so maybe I am wrong and Lexus has brought up their game and this new car rides just as well as an S class? Maybe someone can comment if they have been in both brands latest offerings

The petrol and temp gauge looks good and classy. I don’t agree at all that things look dated.

Hi Redline Reviews! While there's no perfect vehicles I still love this car. The thing is.if every car was 100% perfect then everything would be rather boring would you agree? Please reply my comment.

Love the LS interior, unlike tactile buttons and knobs which require only muscle memory. The “modern” and “minimalist” interiors with the 16” display require the driver to take their eyes off the road just to access the glove compartment.

Did I miss something or did this LS500 do the exact 0-60 as claimed by Lexus? @ 2:50 it says 5.5 seconds and his second test @ 18:15 was also 5.5 but he keeps saying it’s a 1 sec slower than they claim

I wish they kept the headlight lashes:(

Sofyan in Japan CD’s are still very popular 😆

Which one is better guys? Ls 500 or is 500?

how does the Lexus ES stack up?

It’s so big though 😯

Great car, but definitely LOTS of misses. Lexus needs to address the technological shortcomings of this car. It doesn’t need to be Mercedes Benz levels of gimmicky, but they can definitely do more than what they did here. Overall, for $80,000, this is not the car I would pick. The S Class, for as expensive as it is, is just a better car.