The all-hybrid new Lexus LS range will cost from £72,595

Fifth generation model once again eschews diesel. Sensible

2018 Lexus LS 500hLexus has announced the new 2018 Lexus LS range will be sold in a four-model range with UK prices starting from £72,595. Every one will be a petrol-electric hybrid; Lexus has never sold a diesel-engined LS and certainly isn’t about to start now.

All models will be LS 500h variants, using a 3.5-litre V6 combined with two electric motors. The entry-grade is simply LS 500h, moving up through Luxury and F Sport models to the top-line Premier. And buyers will be able to option all-wheel drive on Luxury and Premier trims.

A deep breath is necessary before contemplating standard spec on even the base car. It gets 20-inch alloys, triple-LED headlights, dual-zone climate control boasting nanoe air quality control, 20-way power-adjust leather seats with both heating and ventilation, plus a 12-speaker stereo.

Luxury models boost climate control to four zones, and the system features a so-called Climate Concierge (it actually monitors the surface temperature of passengers via infra-red sensors, making micro-adjustments if it senses they’re getting too hot or cold. Wow…). The stereo is now a 23-speaker Mark Levinson QKI Reference Surround system, seats power-adjust 28 different ways, the rear chairs are both heated and cooled, while the leather is upgraded to semi-aniline trim.

F Sport is, yes, the sporty one. It’s got a unique look compared to other LS, with lower-profile tyres, spindle grille packed with L-motif elements, black brake calipers and jet black exterior detailing. There’s a three-spoke steering wheel inside and, underneath, variable ratio steering and dynamic rear steering.

The F Sport also gets a moving ring instrument set similar to those first seen in the Lexus LFA.

2018 Lexus LS 500h

And the Premier? Apparently, it fully shows off the Japanese tradition of Omotenashi, the art of hospitality. Seats have Shiatsu massage function, there’s a rear seat relaxation and entertainment package, while the rear chairs adjust in 22 different ways. Lexus also protects its presumably well-heeled occupants with the Lexus Safety System+ A, its “most sophisticated package yet of active safety and driver assistance systems”. This includes autonomous-drive functionality.

Ordering is open now, with first deliveries due early in 2018. By then, prospective owners may finally have digested the standard spec list of their looming new cars.

2018 Lexus LS prices

  • LS 500h: £72,595
  • LS 500h Luxury: £79,995
  • LS 500h Luxury AWD: £82,595
  • LS 500h F Sport: £79,995
  • LS 500h Premier: £97,995
  • LS 500h Premier AWD: £105,595

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Richard Aucock
Richard Aucockhttps://www.richardaucock.co.uk/
Richard is director at Motoring Research. He has been with us since 2001, and has been a motoring journalist even longer. He won the IMCO Motoring Writer of the Future Award in 1996 and the acclaimed Sir William Lyons Award in 1998. Both awards are run by the Guild of Motoring Writers and Richard is currently vice chair of the world's largest organisation for automotive media professionals. Richard is also a juror and Steering Committee director for World Car Awards and the UK juror for the AUTOBEST awards.

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