2024 Lexus LS 500 F Sport AWD Sedan - As Good As You’d Expect, Maybe Better

Are you looking for a large sedan that can double as a limo? If so, the Lexus LS 500 may be right up your alley.

The Lexus LS 500 F Sport AWD Sedan is a holdover from a prior era when many shoppers aspired to own large luxury sedans. Today, the majority of large luxury vehicle purchases are crossovers and SUVs, trending electric. These vehicles have overtaken sedans in every segment, not just cars. However, large luxurious sedans still have their charms. Here are things we found noteworthy about the $90,215 2024 LS 500 F Sport AWD Sedan.

LS 500 - If You Don’t Want an Electrified Vehicle, You’ve Come to the Right Place
The LS 500 is powered by a gasoline engine that can generate over 400 peak horsepower. That translates to a 21 MPG Combined EPA estimate and a 17 MPG City number. And Premium fuel is recommended. That makes the Lexus LS 500 one of the highest cost per energy and highest CO2 emitting vehicles in the Toyota/Lexus lineup. If you really want to thumb your nose at the folks in the Model S and Lucid cars in traffic, this is your ride. 

The LS 500 Is Quick, But Only If You Force It To Be
The best word to describe the LS 500 F Sport AWD Sedan is sedate. We checked the definition of sedate and found it to be “calm, dignified, and unhurried.” There is certainly no negativity in that group of adjectives. But then there is the F Sport badging, which hints at excitement. It’s there, but not in Normal or Comfort Modes. You need to twist the little doodads sticking out like ears above the instrument cluster and call up Sport mode to feel the F Sportiness. Do so, and the LS 500 can sprint away from a stoplight like a champ. We did it. Once. Honestly, it felt a bit silly. This is a mature vehicle for a person who wants to fly under the radar, not win stoplight races. 

The Interior of the LS 500 Is Splendid
When Lexus chooses to, it can create some world-class interiors. All of the interior trim pieces seem meticulously crafted. There is suede-like material on the seats that just begs to be stroked. Everything feels well thought-out and built to a standard not a budget. 

The Back Seat of the LS 500 Is The Place To Be
The LS 500 will undoubtedly serve as a limousine for many. The rear seats are ample comfort for any size person. There is a rear center console the size of Rhode Island for your drink and elbow. Hey, look, you can move up the front seats with the touch of a button!

The LS 500 Is Buttery Smooth Over Normal Road Imperfections - But Still Tough
It’s early spring in New England, and the potholes have bloomed. During our week of testing, the LS 500 proved to be one of the most comfortable vehicles we have ever driven over bad roads. Normal bumps and things like railroad crossings are handled by the LS 500’s suspension better than most luxury SUVs. During our testing, we missed seeing a monster pothole and hit it square. Boom! We thought we had torn off a wheel. We were in a mall parking lot of all places and pulled over. The sidewall of the tire was undamaged. The ride was unchanged. No vibrations on the highway home. Disaster averted! Despite its elegant appearance, we can attest to the toughness of this luxurious sedan. 

As a multi-Lexus and Toyota owner, past and present, I have to say the LS Hybrid seems like the more modern choice. However, the LS 500’s power is there for those who wish to choose it. If you are looking for a large, luxurious sedan, the 2024 Lexus LS 500 F Sport AWD Sedan is hard to top.
 

John Goreham is an experienced New England Motor Press Association member and expert vehicle tester. John completed an engineering program with a focus on electric vehicles, followed by two decades of work in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain before becoming a news contributor. In addition to his eleven years of work at Torque News, John has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. He is known for offering unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics. You can follow John on Twitter, and connect with him at Linkedin.

Image of 2024 Lexus LS 500 courtesy of Lexus.