2020 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid

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Rating7.5

Ranked #2 in 

Fullsize Hybrid Sedan
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$80,010 - $83,230
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Silent Cabin at all speeds

No plug-in options

Completely revamped for 2020 the new iteration of the LS 500h replaces the outgoing LS 500 L.

Great Interiors

Lacks sportiness

V6 that is paired with a dual electric motor and a lithium-ion battery

Soft and supple ride

Slow pedal response

The 2020 version has an unusually long wheelbase which leads to a roomier cabin.

Specs & Features

$80,010

price

354 hp @ 6600 rpm

horsepower

257 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

torque

Electrically Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

3.5L 6cyl RWD EVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Everyone knows Lexus as Toyota's luxury division for its bold aesthetic choices. However, there is more to Lexus than just that. The brand opens its excellence through an electrifying performance with the LS 500h. This hybrid shares the core of a normal LS sedan with all the luxury gizmos and gadgets screwed with the utmost perfection, then comes the goodness of the hybrid motor which drastically changes the character to greener performance and meaner demeanor.

Buying Advice

The only trim shall be able to satiate most people. The well-appointed trim can be made better with a few optional packages like the Advanced Safety Package and the 2,400-Watt Mark Levinson Audio System.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The V6 engine combined with Electric motor power the Lexus into a hybrid world that is environmentally conscious but still uncompromising on the driving and performance front. The Lexus's interior is some of the most intricate and well-made cabin one can see in a sedan. Although it may not be as spacious, it is better equipped than most other hybrid sedans you can find in the US.

The opulent Japanese finesse oozing car goes up against the Germans and the American underdog. Both the BMW and Porsche challenge the Lexus in terms of interior features and comfort. The Tesla Model S adds in the performance front as well, along with technology that seems to be way ahead than anyone, let alone Lexus, can comprehend. With such a stiff competition racked up against it, will the Lexus LS500h hold its ground?

Features
8.0/10

The Lexus 500h is a well-equipped car that has the best of both worlds and combines the hybrid and old school petrol engine to make it a complete package. The hybrid powertrain consists of a 3.5L V6 paired to an electric motor, both delivering the about 350 hp to the rear wheels. However, it is the interior where the LS500 shines out. The panels can be made from a wide range of materials, from smooth leather to wood. The 16-way power-adjustable seats come with heating and ventilation, providing optimum levels of comfort. Complete with 19-inch wheels and Z-shaped headlights carved around a wide grille, the styling of the car is something few other sedans can compare to.

Trims

LS 500h

MSRP

$83,180

Features

19-inch alloy wheels

 

Adaptive Suspension

 

Heated Steering wheel

 

Back-up Camera

 

Lane Departure Warning and Blind-Spot

 

16-way Power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats

 

Adaptive Cruise control

We recommend

The only trim shall be able to satiate most people. The well-appointed trim can be made better with a few optional packages like the Advanced Safety Package and the 2,400-Watt Mark Levinson Audio System.

Fuel Economy
4.0/10

Offering better mileage than a normal not so environmentally conscious car the Lexus falls behind appallingly short of its competition. With the Tesla and the BMW outshining the Lexus by hundreds of miles. Considering the fact this isn't an all-out electric vehicle the fact that it has a combined mpg of 26 is appreciable.

Model

Lexus LS 500h AWD

BMW 740e

Tesla Model S (100D)

Porsche Panamera 4 (E-Hybrid)

MPG e (City)

25

N/A

101

N/A

MPG e (Highway)

33

N/A

102

N/A

MPG e (Combined) 28 64 101 51

The amazing figures achieved by Tesla and BMW are awe-inspiring and the right step in the future. The Porsche Panamera doesn't fall far behind, with a combined EPA rating of 51 MPGe.

Interior
8.3/10

"The LS traditionally prioritizes comfort over performance, and the 2018 model is no different. The seats offer a dizzying array of adjustments, with heating, cooling and massage functions. The suspension shrugs off rough roads, and the cabin is as quiet as a tomb."- Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

This is one parameter the Lexus wins hands down. What might be lacking in the exterior is more than made up for whilst looking at what's inside. With the origami-esque intermingling and intricate metal thread work the door handles and the surrounding area exuberate an aura of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Model

Lexus LS 500h AWD

BMW 740e

Tesla Model S (100D)

Porsche Panamera 4 (E-Hybrid)

Passenger capacity

5

5

5+(2 children)

4

Passenger Volume (ft cube)

99.4

121.9

120.0

122.0

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)

(In.)

37.3/58.8/41.0

39.9/59.2/41.4

38.8/57.7/42.7

38.0/51.9/41.9

Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg)

(In.)

37.3/56.4/38.9

38.9/57.7/44.4

35.3/55.0/35.4

38.2/51.7/39.2

Dimension wise the Lexus comes in the bottom half of the table and lags behind the BMW and the Porsche. The Lexus's interiors reek of opulence and handcrafted luxury that seemingly blends with each other

Cargo Volume

At the heart of a sedan is its practicality and the Lexus is only second to the Tesla Model S in this regard the Lexus offers the required space very graciously.

Model

Lexus LS 500h AWD

BMW 740e

Tesla Model S (100D)

Porsche Panamera (E-Hybrid)

Trunk volume (ft.cube)

15.2

14.8

26.3

14.3

With the Tesla Model S offering the most space, the Lexus lags behind it with about half as big a trunk due to the space required for the internal combustion engine. Other hybrids pretty much fall in the same ballpark, with the Porsche Panamera offering the least cargo space at 14.3 cubic feet.

Exterior
8.0/10

The Lexus LS has made memorable styling progress. That two-door comes off with a distinct Aston Martin flair. The LS sedan has a more elegant shape, one that's less suggestive. It flaunts Z-shaped headlights and a version of the tremendous hourglass-shaped grille now stamped across the Lexus lineup." -The Car Connection

Dimensions and Weight

The Lexus has a special vibe going on for it with its distinctive front grille. Its either make it or break it with this one. The Japanese finesse combined with efficiency also makes its presence felt as soon as you look at the car.

Model

Lexus LS 500h AWD

BMW 740e

Tesla Model S (100D)

Porsche Panamera 4 (E-Hybrid)

curb weight(lbs)

5027

4740

4736

4787

Length(in)

206.1

206.6

196.0

198.8

Width(in)

74.8

74.9

77.3

76.3

Height(in)

57.9

58.2

56.5

56.0

Ground clearance(in)

5.8

5.3

4.6

5.3

Wheelbase(in)

123.0

126.4

116.5

116.1

Track width(in) F/R

64.2/64.4

63.4//64.6

65.4/66.9

65.8/65.0

The longest wheelbase ensures that the cabin is big spacious and roomy. Surpassing each car when the length and height are considered it is safe to say that this is one big car. Cutting through the air with the precision of a katana the Lexus LS 500h manages to capture one's attention too.

Safety
8.5/10

Safety Features

  • Driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags, front thorax side airbags, knee airbags, and Sideguard head curtain airbags
  • Front passenger occupant detection
  • Power central locking system with safety unlock feature if airbags deploy
  • Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)
  • Anti-theft alarm system with immobilizer
  • Tire-pressure monitoring system
  • Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) in rear seats
  • Electromechanical parking brake
  • Safety belt reminder for driver and front passenger

Competition
9.0/10

Lexus LS 500h vs BMW 740e

The Lexus might one-up the German on the interiors front but when all else is considered the Beemer offers a better ride, Better mileage, and better acceleration. So the BMW is the clear winner here. With the class-leading MPG, the BMW is the choice for the environmentally conscious.

Lexus LS 500h vsTesla Model S

The American underdog stands tall with its claim of great mileage and does live up to the expectations. The Tesla Model S is better at everything except the interiors when compared to the Lexus. Elon Musk definitely knows what he is doing with this car. Only lagging behind by a hair the Tesla Model S may not be the best looking car but it sure acts like one.

Lexus LS 500h vs Porsche Panamera E hybrid

The Porsche Panamera is the German rival that does everything effortlessly and still manages to be the best at what it does. The German rival manages to outclass the Lexus on the acceleration and fuel economy and there aren't many things that you may be considered while buying a hybrid.

Final Verdict
7.2/10

The Lexus offers a great value for price car but like all Lexus, the curse of being at the bottom half of the table does not leave this car behind too. With competition offering more mileage and better technology, the Lexus can only harp about its interiors.

Trims

    Base
    $80,010 onwards
    • Engine: 3.5L 6cyl RWD EVT
    • Horsepower: 354 hp @ 6600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 257 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.2 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 28 mpg
    Luxury
    $83,230 onwards
    • Engine: 3.5L 6cyl AWD 4A
    • Horsepower: 354 hp @ 6600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 257 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.2 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$80,010- $83,230

Engine

hybrid

Rating

7.49

Horsepower

354 hp @ 6600 rpm

Torque

257 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$61,900

hybrid

6.53

377 hp @ 6500 rpm

341 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,810- $45,660

hybrid

7.66

215 hp @ 5700 rpm

163 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

5

Read Review

$36,750- $42,500

hybrid

6.07

188 hp @ 6000 rpm

129 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

-

Read Review

2020 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.2 sec14.3 sec-
    6.8 sec13.3 sec124 mph
    8.1 sec16.3 sec-
    8.8 sec--

    2020 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      25 mpg33 mpg28 mpg22.2 gal.555/732.6 mi.
      43 mpg44 mpg44 mpg13.2 gal.567.6/580.8 mi.
      42 mpg39 mpg41 mpg13.5 gal.- -
      28 mpg29 mpg28 mpg15.1 gal.-

      2020 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        206.1 in.74.8 in.57.5 in.6.6 in.123 in.
        198.1 in.74.4 in.57.7 in.3.8 in.112.2 in.
        195.9 in.73.4 in.56.9 in.5.9 in.113 in.
        194.1 in.73.4 in.58.1 in.5 in.112.2 in.

        2020 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          15.2 cu.ft.99.4 cu.ft.15.2 cu.ft.
          -96.4 cu.ft.11.1 cu.ft.
          16.7 cu.ft.97.4 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
          12 cu.ft.102.1 cu.ft.5.2 cu.ft.

          2020 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            15.9 cu.ft.15.2 cu.ft.15.2 cu.ft.
            5.2 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.5.2 cu.ft.
            57.9 cu.ft.-11.1 cu.ft.
            16.7 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.

            2020 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              870 lbs.4850 lbs.
              999 lbs.4380 lbs.
              905 lbs.3704 lbs.

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