From Disruptor to Discontinued
We’ll never tire of telling the story of how Lexus shook up the luxury car market in America. It’s a tale that’s been told many times, but it’s always worth revisiting. The LS was a flagship sedan that was better built than German and American models, but it was priced like a midsize luxury car. It sold in droves and forced the longtime players to do a rethink.
It’s ironic then that the LS was quietly retired in the very market that disrupted it. The final generation was launched in 2017 for the 2018 model year, but its sales never challenged those of the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series in their final years. The luxury sedan was pulled from the market after an abbreviated 2026 run with its future in doubt.
Still Around Abroad
The LS has been axed not only in the U.S. but also in the U.K. due to dismal sales. That said, it’s still available in select European countries, Oceania, and, of course, Japan. Granted, it’s still not a strong seller, but it’s doing well enough to merit an extended life cycle.
Not only that, the car will soon benefit from a slew of updates. Japan will be the first to get it, followed by Australia. It won’t be dramatic changes, but rather, trim adjustments, feature additions, and streamlining efforts.
Changes to Expect
Per Japanese outlet Creative Trend, the LS will lose its 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 and will only be offered as a hybrid. That makes sense given that an overwhelming majority of cars sold in Japan are electrified. With that, the sole powertrain choice will be the 3.5-liter V6 hybrid producing 354 hp and 257 lb-ft of torque. As for trims, the entry-level models are expected to be dropped, leaving only the F-Sport, Premiere, and Executive models.
The rest of the car will be carried over for the 2027 model year. That means the infotainment will likely be retained. It’s unlikely that it will inherit the ES’ new software, but at least we should still see buttons and dials in the LS, not that the U.S will actually get this model.
Still, there’s no denying that the car is very well-seasoned, and that its competitors have either dropped out or face an uncertain future. The LS’s fate is also unknown at this point; whether it will be discontinued for good or be transformed into an ultra-lux minivan.
