2023 Lexus LS

The oldest nameplate in the automaker's lineup, the 2023 Lexus LS is the flagship sedan that serves as proof that Toyota can make a genuine luxury car. When it comes to pure luxury, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the one to beat - however, at half the price of an S-Class, the LS is not quite in that league. Still, it has enough going for it that it can stand up to the likes of the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8.

Lexus ensures the LS sedan has enough power by equipping it with a twin-turbo V6 supplying 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. It's not enough to beat the competition on the race track, but this segment isn't purely about potency - it's also about elegance and comfort, something Lexus excels at. On the plus side, it's less expensive than your traditional executive and it comes very well-appointed in terms of tech. And, where many European brands suffer from a bad reputation in the dependability department, the Lexus LS draws its heritage from Toyota, the king of reliability.

The price of the 2023 Lexus LS range is competitive when you look at what the Europeans are charging. The LS 500 will cost you $77,385, while the starting price of the LS 500 F Sport is $82,135. Adding all-wheel drive to either model will increase the bill by $3,200. Just be careful with the options and packages, or you may end up paying even more than you would for a Merc. These are the MSRP prices for the Lexus LS and do not include the $1,150 destination fee.

It has become the norm to expect an executive sedan to act like an ultra-plush sports car, and if you look at what BMW and Audi are doing, it's definitely achievable. However, there is something to be said for focusing on what execs were originally intended to do, which is to move people from one place to another on a cloud of luxury. This is what the 2023 LS does. It has a compliant suspension that eats up bumps and road imperfections without so much as a burp or hiccup. The cabin is deathly quiet, with the outside world completely dampened so that you can enjoy your alone time as you commute to your workplace or unwind on your way home. That's not to say handling is bad. The steering is light and responsive, and the large vehicle maneuvers well. It just isn't meant to zip around corners irresponsibly, and there is nothing wrong with that.

In our first review of the fifth-gen Lexus LS, we weren't entirely impressed, as it was trying to be too much like its sportier rivals and sacrificing too much of what made it special. Luckily, the current iteration has really hit its stride, returning to its roots and delivering what we really want from a luxury executive sedan. It has striking good looks, loads of cabin space to stretch out in, all the latest tech you could need, and opulently plus materials covering every surface. Naturally, the ride is buttery smooth, too. However, one of the LS's strongest characteristics is the extensive list of features you get on the base model, which isn't too uncommon among flagship sedans - but even BMW and Mercedes make you pay more for some of the tech you get here as standard. The LS is definitely one of the better large sedans in the USA and is well worth some serious consideration.

For those that still want their LS to behave a bit more like a BMW, there is the F Sport model, which has a firmer suspension and racier styling. However, we are firmly in the camp that believes the executive is at its best when it leans into its cushy luxury nature. The standard 500 is, therefore, the way to go. You save a few bucks by avoiding the unnecessary sporty bits, which means you can add a few options and still end up paying less than you would for a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, even if you opt for the $23,000-odd Executive Package with Kiriko Glass.