Is the Lexus LS fast?
Yes. For a luxury sedan, the Lexus LS is fast enough to feel notably quick in daily driving, with 0-60 mph times typically in the high 4-second to low-5-second range depending on drivetrain and options. It emphasizes smoothness and refinement rather than outright track-ready speed.
The question of how fast the LS is depends on what you measure—straight-line acceleration, in-gear responsiveness, and how it stacks up against rivals in real-world use. Below is a detailed look at current specs, how it performs on the road, and what buyers should know about its speed and handling.
Performance fundamentals
Key specs for the current lineup include horsepower, torque, drivetrain options, and how those figures translate into acceleration. The following overview highlights what matters most to buyers who care about speed and responsiveness.
- Engine and power: 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing about 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque; 10-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive available.
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph typically in the high 4-second to around 5 seconds depending on drivetrain (RWD usually quicker than AWD); top speed electronically limited, commonly around 130 mph in many configurations.
- Sport and handling character: A refined, comfort-oriented ride with a composed chassis; F Sport trims include sport-tuned suspension and firmer settings but horsepower remains largely the same.
Taken together, these figures show that the LS is quick for a luxury sedan and suitably powerful for everyday driving, but it isn’t a sports car by any measure.
Comparisons with rivals
When placed against rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, and Genesis G90, the LS often leads with ride quality and interior serenity, while some rivals offer sharper handling or quicker straight-line speed in sportier variants. The LS’s acceleration remains competitive for a luxury sedan, and its emphasis on cabin quietness and overall luxury is a defining trait.
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class and its high-performance variants can accelerate to 60 mph faster in certain configurations, thanks to powerful engines and sport-tuned options.
- BMW 7 Series offers quick options, especially with larger engines or hybrid powertrains, but may trade some ride quietness for sportier dynamics.
- Genesis G90 aims to match luxury and acceleration while providing strong value and a distinctive design, with performance that stacks up well in daily driving.
Ultimately, the Lexus LS balances speed with luxury, offering solid, smooth acceleration and comfortable highway cruising. If you demand track-ready performance, some rivals and variants will out-accelerate it; if you want a plush, refined daily driver, the LS is hard to beat.
Driving experience and technology
Beyond numbers, the LS delivers a quiet, refined cockpit with advanced driver-assistance tech, a user-friendly infotainment system, and abundant insulation from road noise. The driving dynamic emphasizes comfort and predictability, making the sedan feel swift in typical commutes and highway merges rather than a sprint to the redline.
For potential buyers, this means you’ll often experience a tranquil acceleration profile: ample power when you need to merge or pass, but a focus on a serene overall feel rather than aggressive, performance-oriented throttle response.
Summary
In short, the Lexus LS is fast enough for most luxury-sedan buyers and excels in quiet, confident acceleration and effortless highway cruising. It competes well with its peers in refinement and ride quality, though it does not promise the neck-snapping speed of sport sedans or high-performance flagships. For many, that balance of speed, luxury, and tranquility is what makes the LS feel fast in everyday life.
