Will Lexus continue to make the LS?
Yes. Lexus is expected to continue producing the LS, its flagship sedan, for the foreseeable future, with ongoing updates and electrification options rather than a sudden retirement. The LS remains central to the brand’s luxury identity and technology leadership.
Current status of the LS
The LS, Lexus’s long-running flagship, is in its fifth generation that debuted in 2017. A mid-cycle refresh arrived in the early 2020s, bringing updated styling cues, improved cabin technology, and refinements to ride comfort and safety features. The current lineup centers on the LS 500 with a gasoline V6 and a focus on quiet, chauffeur-driven luxury, plus variants that emphasize suspension tuning and interior refinement. The LS has long served as the brand’s technology and luxury showcase and competes with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8.
Electrification strategy and what it means for the LS
Lexus has been rolling out its Lexus Electrified plan, signaling that all models will receive some form of electrification—hybrid, plug-in, or full battery-electric power—over the coming years. The brand has already launched its first dedicated BEV, the RZ 450e, and has said it intends to electrify the entire lineup, with a timeline that aims for broader electrification by the end of the decade. That approach points to LS variants that employ electrified powertrains in some form, whether as a hybrid or, eventually, a dedicated electric flagship sedan derived from a future architecture. There has been no official announcement that the LS will be discontinued, and executives have indicated the LS will continue to be important for luxury and technology leadership.
What industry observers expect
Analysts and commentators note that sedans, even flagship models, still carry significant branding value for luxury brands. The LS remains essential for showcasing Lexus’ ride quality, cabin quiet, and advanced driver-assistance technology. While Lexus is shifting more aggressively toward SUVs and electrified powertrains, the LS's role as a halo product and a technology platform is likely to persist for the foreseeable future, albeit with a shift toward electrified variants rather than a pure combustion-powered model.
Paths for the LS in the coming years
Below are the main scenarios and options manufacturers typically consider when planning a flagship sedan’s future. Each option reflects how automakers balance customer demand, regulatory pressure, and technology development.
- Continuation in some form: the LS remains in production, evolving with hybrid and eventually full-electric variants, while maintaining its role as Lexus’ flagship sedan.
- Platform reimagining: a next-generation LS could be built on a dedicated electrified architecture, enabling a seamless BEV flagship while preserving traditional luxury cues.
- Strategic differentiation: the LS could continue alongside an ever-expanding SUV line, with limited production in select markets if demand remains high or if regulatory constraints require a niche product.
These paths reflect a cautious yet hopeful view: rather than a sudden exit, the LS is more likely to transition into an electrified flagship that complements Lexus’s broader electrification strategy. The exact timing and configuration will depend on market demand, regulatory developments, and engineering choices for future platforms.
Summary
In short, Lexus is expected to keep making the LS for the foreseeable future, albeit in transformed form. The flagship sedan is poised to evolve with electrification, potentially offering hybrid and BEV versions as part of the brand’s strategy to electrify its entire lineup by the end of the decade. The exact timeline and specifications will depend on market dynamics and how Lexus chooses to balance the tradition of a luxury sedan with a shifting broader product mix.
Will there be a 2025 Lexus LS redesign?
The Lexus LS lineup gets a price increase of $1,000. Otherwise, it returns with no notable changes for 2025.
Will there be a 2026 Lexus LS?
The 2026 LS 500 Heritage Edition continues this legacy of excellence. Its distinct Lexus-first Ninety Noir paint and darkened exterior finishes draw attention to each alluring line, while signature interior details accent the cabin's indulgent comforts.
What will replace Lexus LS?
Lexus has not officially confirmed a replacement for the LS, but it is widely expected to be discontinued after the 2026 model year, with the brand likely shifting its flagship offering to a new, non-sedan body style. Speculation and concept vehicles suggest the LS could be succeeded by a large SUV or, more audaciously, a six-wheeled luxury minivan, though a more traditional sedan reinvention is also a possibility.
- Discontinuation: The LS sedan is expected to be discontinued in the US after the 2026 model year, with some reports suggesting its last year is 2026. This is due to declining popularity of sedans and the LS's lower sales compared to competitors.
- Possible replacements:
- Large SUV: A new, large luxury SUV with three rows of seating is a strong possibility, based on reports from publications like CarsDirect and Drive.
- Six-wheeled minivan: A futuristic concept vehicle has been unveiled by Lexus that features six wheels and a minivan-style body, signaling a potential shift towards a more spacious "luxury space" to carry the LS nameplate.
- Reimagined sedan: Some sources speculate that the LS could be reinvented as an entirely new sedan, possibly as a four-door coupe, an EV, or a hybrid.
- Uncertainty remains: While these are the most likely scenarios, Lexus has not officially commented on future plans. The next-generation flagship may feature a "multi-pathway approach" with different powertrain options like gas, hybrid, plug-in, and all-electric.
IS Lexus going to stop making the LS?
2026 Lexus LS500 Heritage Edition Is the End of the Brand's First Flagship. The once-prominent full-size luxury sedan is ending production, with Lexus selling 250 final copies for about $100K a pop. The 2026 Lexus LS500 Heritage Edition will be the last production year for the luxury brand's flagship sedan.
