
Lexus LS is equipped with a 6-cylinder engine, which delivers a maximum horsepower of 316ps, a maximum power of 232kw, and a maximum torque of 380nm. The Lexus LS is a full-size sedan with dimensions of 5235mm in length, 1900mm in width, and 1450mm in height, and a wheelbase of 3125mm. It features a 4-door, 5-seat sedan body style. The Lexus LS adopts a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, with multi-link independent suspension at both front and rear. It comes with electric power steering, a unibody structure, and electronic parking brake.

I've been driving a Lexus LS for almost three years now. The current main models, the LS500 and hybrid LS500h, both use a 3.5-liter V6 engine. Although it has fewer cylinders than the old V8, that twin-turbocharged engine is no slouch in terms of power, with 416 horsepower delivering strong acceleration from the get-go. The hybrid version is even more impressive—the coordination between the engine and electric motor is as smooth as silk, with fuel consumption just over 7 liters per 100 kilometers. I remember during the test drive, the salesperson mentioned that this generation LS switched to a six-cylinder to balance environmental concerns and performance. After driving it, I think tuning matters more than the number of cylinders.

Last week, I accompanied my friend to service his 2018 LS500h. The technician mentioned it's a pity that this generation of LS discontinued the V8 across the lineup, but in actual driving, there's no noticeable difference. That 2GR-FKS six-cylinder engine is equipped with twin turbos, paired with the ECVT+4AT hybrid transmission, delivering smooth yet powerful acceleration. My friend said what surprised him most was the super quiet pure electric mode in traffic jams, significantly quieter than his colleague's S450. However, old-school car enthusiasts still miss the 1UZ-FE V8 from the LS400 days—that engine now commands high prices in the used market.

As a die-hard Lexus fan, the evolution of the LS engine is fascinating. The first-gen LS400 made waves in North America with its 4.0L V8, which was replaced by a 4.6L V8 in the 2006 LS460. Then in 2017, the new generation suddenly switched to a 3.5T V6. The current LS500h in showrooms may be a six-cylinder, but its hybrid system delivers a combined 359 horsepower, hitting 0-100km/h in just 5.4 seconds—making it more responsive for daily driving than the old V8s. I recommend trying Sport+ mode; the engine sound simulation mimics an eight-cylinder, playing some clever mind games.


