Lexus LS

The Lexus LS is a full-size luxury car (F-segment in Europe) serving as the flagship model of Lexus, Toyota’s luxury division. The name “LS” stands for “Luxury Sedan,” though some Lexus importers used the name “Luxury Saloon.” The Lexus LS was also called the Toyota Celsior in Japan between 1989 and 2006 until the Lexus brand was introduced in Japan. The Lexus LS marked the entrance of a Japanese manufacturer into the prestige luxury arena, which had long been dominated by established European and American brands.

The Lexus LS was first released in January 1989 as the LS 400, and the second generation debuted in November 1994. The LS 430 was released in January 2000 and the LS 460/LS 460 L series was introduced in 2006 for the 2007 model year. The fourth-generation LS 460 was Lexus’ first production of eight-speed automatic transmission and an automatic parking system. In 2007, V8 hybrid powertrains were introduced on the LS 600h/LS 600h L sedans.

For the first four generations of the LS, all models included V8 engines and were predominantly rear-wheel-drive vehicles. In the fourth generation, Lexus offered all-wheel-drive, hybrid, and long-wheelbase variants. The fifth-generation LS uses a V6 engine with no V8 option, and only one standard length.

Lexus vehicles can be identified by the Lexus emblem, which includes a letter ‘L’ inside of an oval. LS models include the name “LS” in capital letters with the version number.

• Wikipedia: Lexus LS
• Consumer Reports: Lexus LS
• Lexus LS Models and Generations Timeline