2021 Lexus LS vs 2020

What's the difference?

Lexus is returning to its roots and playing to traditional strengths with the 2021 LS update, as the Japanese luxury brand braces itself for the imminent release of an all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

On sale now from $195,953 before on-road costs, the facelift ushers in a raft of comfort, refinement, driveability and technological upgrades, striving to deliver the quietest and most luxurious experience in the upper luxury sedan segment.

The blink-and-you'll-miss-it makeover runs to redesigned headlights, wheels, bumpers and tail-light lenses, as well as the inevitable multimedia screen update, improved seating revised trim and better safety.

Along with an all-in equipment list and unparalleled levels of ownership benefits, the goal is to emulate the dramatic differences that existed between the LS and its mostly German competition more than 30 years ago, which helped make Lexus a disruptor, decades before the term was even coined.

The MY21 range will continue offering two grades – the racier F Sport and opulent Sports Luxury – in either V6 twin-turbo petrol LS 500 or V6 petrol-electric hybrid LS 500h powertrain choices, as per the XF50-generation's Australian debut back in late 2017.

The question is: has Lexus gone far enough with its limousine flagship?

The Lexus LS flagship is where the Japanese luxury brand started more than three decades ago. The aim was to out-quality the established top-shelf sedan players, with insane levels of design and engineering accuracy, innovative features, and relative value-for-money.

The original Lexus LS 400’s arrival was like a combative samurai walking into an elite club filled with button-back lounges, cigar smoke, and a stunned membership. It shook the place up.

Launched in Australia just over two years ago, the current, fifth-generation LS still presents a distinctive point of difference. And the LS 500 F Sport puts a performance-focused spin on the large upper-luxury sedan formula.

Question is, does it do enough to make you want to swap from the back seat to the driver’s seat?