How much did a Lexus LS 400 cost new?
The Lexus LS 400’s new-car price started in the low-to-mid $40,000s in the United States and rose toward the mid-to-high $60,000s with options as the model evolved. This article traces that pricing history and explains what influenced the cost over its production run.
The following overview covers the LS 400’s U.S. pricing from its launch in the early 1990s through the end of the decade, highlighting how base prices changed and how popular options could push the total well into the $60,000s or more. Exact prices varied by year, trim level, packages, and regional incentives.
Launch price and early pricing (1990–1994)
When new, the LS 400 carried a base MSRP in the low-to-mid $40,000s. Opting for popular luxury features and packages typically increased the price into the $50,000s, and in some cases closer to $60,000 for well-equipped examples.
Here is a rough year-by-year snapshot of typical MSRPs (before dealer discounts) in the U.S. market:
- 1990–1992: Base MSRP around $42,000; with common options, the sticker could reach roughly $50,000
- 1993–1994: Base MSRP around $45,000; loaded variants commonly listed near $54,000–$60,000
- 1995–1997: Base MSRP around $50,000; fully optioned models often in the $60,000–$65,000 range
- 1998–2000: Base MSRP around $55,000–$58,000; top-trim or navigation-equipped versions could approach $65,000–$70,000
Prices varied by year, trim, and market; dealer discounts and the inclusion of optional features could significantly affect the final out-the-door price.
Later years and price growth (1995–2000)
As the LS 400 matured, standard equipment expanded and new luxury features (such as more advanced audio systems and, later, navigation) became more common. Those additions generally pushed the listed price upward, even as incentives and negotiations shaped what buyers ultimately paid. By the late 1990s, the LS 400 commonly carried a base price in the mid-$50,000s to around $60,000, with fully optioned models nudging higher depending on equipment choices.
Packages and market differences
Various factory packages—such as Leather/Heated Seats, Premium Sound, and later technology upgrades—could add several thousand dollars to the sticker. Market differences (including taxes and import considerations abroad) also influenced what a new LS 400 would cost in different regions.
Summary
In its U.S. market debut, the Lexus LS 400 started in the low-to-mid $40,000s and climbed into the $60,000s with options by the end of its run. The exact price depended on year, trim, and selected packages, but the LS 400 established itself as a flagship with strong value for luxury buyers at the time. Today, the model is remembered for its blend of comfort, refinement, and early reliance on advanced Japanese luxury engineering.
