2023 Lexus LS Hybrid

Ever since the original LS400 burst onto the scene more than three decades ago, LS has become a byword for quality, reliability, and comfort. Many iterations of the winning recipe followed, and the fifth generation arrived in the USA in 2017. The regular gas LS is a comfortable, powerful, and beautifully built large sedan, but in last year's review of the Lexus LS Hybrid, we were unimpressed with its unrefined powertrain, mediocre efficiency, and high price. It's been improved this year with a new infotainment system and hands-free driving technology, but we're disappointed that the 354-horsepower hybrid powertrain has been left alone and is the same as before. It's a full hybrid system with a 1.1-kWh battery pack and two electric motors, but it can't even match the efficiency of last year's outgoing BMW 7 Series Hybrid. Rivals in this class worthy of consideration include the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hybrid and Porsche Panamera Hybrid - both plug-in hybrids. In failing to address its biggest flaw, Lexus is unlikely to make inroads into the luxury-sedan segment against rivals such as these with the 2023 version of the car.

The $113,485 MSRP of the 2023 Lexus LS Hybrid is a high price to pay for a hybrid luxury sedan, but at least a full set of features is included in the price. What isn't included is the destination fee, which will add an additional $1,150 to the total cost.

The biggest disappointment when getting behind the wheel of the Lexus LS Hybrid is the powertrain. The 3.4-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 and two electric motors are mated to a CVT combined with a four-speed automatic transmission - a truly convoluted powertrain. Pulling away on electric power is sedate, and the gas engine soon chimes in gruffly, with a typical CVT drone seemingly unrelated to the rate of forward progress. Performance is decent, and it gets to 60 mph in a brisk 5.5 seconds, but the unrefined sound effects don't fit the luxury image. Weighing in at over 5,000 pounds means handling isn't very sporty either, and although lean and wallow are satisfactorily contained, the grip limits aren't very high. The standard air suspension does ensure a comfortable ride, and the cabin is quiet most of the time until the gas engine fires up again with an unbecoming coarseness. Considering its steep price tag, this isn't a very impressive showing.

In standard gas format for more than $30k less, the refined and luxurious LS makes a lot of sense and offers a compelling package for the money. Not so the expensive hybrid. Its complex powertrain is unrefined and lacks the performance or polish of the competition, while the outgoing mild-hybrid previous-generation BMW 740i beats it on fuel economy too. Expect even better from the brand-new BMW 7 Series. For once, it's not a close-run thing. The Lexus LS Hybrid is out of its depth in terms of efficiency, performance, price, and refinement, and for these reasons, it's not a frontrunner in the luxury-sedan hybrid race. You're better off with a regular gas LS or a rival.

There's just a single hybrid trim, and it comes with everything that opens and shuts, so if you must have an LS Hybrid, we'd take it just as it is without adding anything to inflate the already-high price even further. In any event, there's virtually nothing on the options menu for this trim except Haku door trim and a choice of different 19- or 20-inch alloys. We wouldn't bother with either.