Lexus LS 2021 Review

The luxury sedan market in Malaysia has always revolved around "configuration is king" and "priority on ride experience" as its core competitive points. The Lexus LS series, as the brand's flagship, continues to target high-end users seeking a balance between luxury and practicality. The 2021 Lexus LS 500 Luxury test drive not only continues the brand's consistent craftsmanship but also features targeted upgrades in power and intelligent configurations. Our testing focuses on verifying its comprehensive performance in urban commuting, highway cruising, and long-distance rides to see if it can surpass expectations for comfort and performance in its price range.

From a distance, the overall silhouette of the 2021 LS 500 Luxury maintains the stability of a large luxury sedan, with a body length of 5235mm and a wheelbase of 3125mm. The side profile is smooth and elongated. The front features Lexus's signature spindle grille, filled with dense horizontal chrome trims, paired with sharp LED headlamp clusters on both sides, offering high recognizability. The headlights support automatic on/off and daytime running light functions. When illuminated at night, the lighting range is broad, and the brightness is even. The rear design is simple, with a through-type LED taillight arrangement echoing the front. A chrome decorative strip under the rear bumper adds a refined touch. The car's paintwork is finely done, showing a uniform gloss under sunlight.

Upon entering the cabin, the first impression is the quality of the materials used in the interior. Most areas of the center console and the inner sides of the door panels are covered in soft-touch leather, while the armrest and seats are upholstered in genuine leather, offering a soft tactile experience. The center console layout revolves around a 12.3-inch touchscreen, with some physical buttons preserved below the screen for convenient operation without needing to look. The fully digital instrument cluster has a clear display and allows switching between different themes, while the head-up display (HUD) projects speed, navigation, and other information, ensuring that drivers don't need to frequently glance down. In terms of features, the front seats support 28-way electric adjustments with lumbar support, memory, massage, and ventilation functions. The driver's seat also has an electric Easy Access feature, which adjusts the seat backwards automatically for easier entrance and exit. The rear seats support 18-way electric adjustments, and the central armrest is equipped with a multifunctional control panel to adjust air conditioning, seat angle, and more. The 4-zone automatic climate control system offers precise adjustments, and the rear section has independent air vents and power outlets to meet the needs of multiple passengers.

In the power department, the 2021 LS 500 Luxury is equipped with a 3.4T V6 turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum of 421 horsepower and peak torque that lasts from 1600 to 4800 rpm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. During everyday driving, the vehicle starts smoothly with linear throttle response, providing adequate power output with light pedal pressure. Switching to Sport mode enhances throttle sensitivity and accelerates the transmission's shifting speed. When overtaking, a deep press on the accelerator yields a pronounced pushback feeling, and the official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5 seconds holds true in actual scenarios. During highway cruising, engine revs stay around 1800 rpm, the transmission operates with clear logic, and there is virtually no sense of jerking shifts.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel has moderate resistance with minimal play and precise steering. It feels light during low-speed maneuvers and stable during high-speed driving. The chassis features a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When going over speed bumps or rough roads, the suspension effectively absorbs vibrations, and the body does not exhibit significant bouncing. During cornering, body roll remains within reasonable limits, offering good stability. Noise control performs excellently, with minimal wind and tire noise at high speeds. Engine noise is only noticeable during rapid acceleration, making daily driving very quiet. In terms of fuel consumption, actual road tests under mixed conditions showed fuel consumption of about 10.2L/100km, which is close to the official figure of 9.5L/100km. Considering the vehicle's weight and power output, this performance is as expected.

Compared to models in the same class, such as the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the 2021 LS 500 Luxury stands out for its value for money—it offers a similar level of configuration as its competitors but starts at a lower price. In particular, its seat adjustment and massage features are more comprehensive at the same price point. Additionally, Lexus provides a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, making after-sales costs relatively manageable. However, its brand premium is slightly less pronounced compared to German competitors. While the rear space is spacious, the legroom advantage is not significant compared to the long-wheelbase versions of its German rivals.

In summary, the 2021 LS 500 Luxury is suitable for family users who value ride comfort and practical features, or private business owners who also need to cater to business receptions. Its power is sufficient for daily use, handling is smooth, noise control is excellent, and it comes with a wealth of safety features, meeting the needs of various scenarios. If your budget is around 1 million Malaysian Ringgit and you’re looking for a comfortable, reliable, and well-equipped luxury sedan, this model is worth considering.