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The 2027 Lexus LS has quietly received a new batch of updates in Japan, offering a stark contrast to the model's fate in the United States. Announced on April 17, 2025, the changes target ride quality, steering feel, and a handful of cosmetic touches – but they won’t make their way to American shores, where the LS was already put out to pasture after a limited 2026 Heritage Edition farewell.
While Lexus officially ended LS sales in the U.S. after the 2026 model year (only 250 examples were built), the brand continues to invest in the fifth-generation sedan for its domestic market. The 2027 updates are modest, but they signal that Toyota’s luxury division isn’t ready to abandon the nameplate entirely – at least not in Japan.
Engineers have reinforced the center tunnel and the front and rear body structures to improve torsional rigidity. The rear suspension and luggage braces now incorporate a damping structure designed to filter out high-frequency vibrations, leading to a smoother cabin experience. The electric power steering has been recalibrated for more natural on-center feel and linear response, while suspension tuning adjustments aim to reduce body roll and pitch during cornering.
These changes are small but meaningful. According to industry insiders, the LS has always been a benchmark for quiet comfort in Japan, and Lexus is making sure it stays competitive against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, both of which have been redesigned in recent years.
A panoramic sunroof is now available across the lineup as an option, fitted with a mesh wind deflector that cuts down on noise when open. At the rear, the traditional Lexus emblem has been replaced by the full “LEXUS” script lettering – a design cue that has spread across the brand’s lineup. Inside, the top Executive grade gains cut-glass trim and additional leather upholstery color options.
The powertrain remains unchanged: the LS 500h uses a hybrid 3.5-liter V6 producing a combined 354 horsepower, sent to either the rear wheels or all four via an e‑CVT and four-speed automatic combination. In Japan, buyers can choose from F Sport, Version L, and Executive trims, with prices ranging from ¥14,140,000 to ¥18,050,000 – roughly $91,700 to $117,000 at current exchange rates.
Industry analysts note that Japan’s luxury sedan market has not suffered the same SUV-driven collapse seen in the U.S. “The LS still carries significant prestige in Japan,” says Takashi Mizuno, a Tokyo-based automotive analyst. “Corporate fleets, government agencies, and traditional-minded executives prefer the discreet luxury of a large sedan over an SUV. Lexus can justify continued investment because the LS still sells in meaningful volumes domestically.”
Indeed, in 2024, Lexus sold roughly 2,500 LS units in Japan – a fraction of what it once moved, but enough to keep production viable alongside the new-generation Toyota Century. The LS also serves as a halo car for Lexus’s hybrid technology, showcasing refinement and efficiency in a segment that remains important in the brand’s home identity.
At nearly a decade old, the fifth-generation LS is clearly past its prime. Lexus has not announced any plans for a true sixth-generation model, and the company’s recent concept vehicles – a massive minivan and a coupe-like SUV – suggest that future flagship models may abandon traditional sedan proportions entirely. Toyota’s Chief Branding Officer, Simon Humphries, has stated that Lexus wants to “move more freely” and “push forward as a pioneer.”
Meanwhile, the even older Lexus IS (now in its 13th year) continues to sell in the U.S., where a special edition for 2027 was recently unveiled. But
