![2021 Lexus LS 500h](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_9ca16827e8ff48e78436b29c5dfb1265~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_9ca16827e8ff48e78436b29c5dfb1265~mv2.jpg)
Twenty-one years ago, when Toyota dropped the first Prius hybrid on an unsuspecting America, few could have forseen that someday, the electric motor/gasoline engine formula would one day rest under the hood of its Lexus flagship---the LS sedan.
![2021 Lexus LS 500h rear 3/4 view](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_a5c744ae03c04754be8119b713d6c31c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_a5c744ae03c04754be8119b713d6c31c~mv2.jpg)
Remarkably, there's been a hybrid version of the big Lexus since 2007. How much longer there will be is the question.
![2021 Lexus LS 500h hood up](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_539e9b6fd93844a0850076d1a23e86fb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_539e9b6fd93844a0850076d1a23e86fb~mv2.jpg)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h powerplant](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_0d60bd104efe48e0aab723063365853c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_0d60bd104efe48e0aab723063365853c~mv2.jpg)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h powerplant detail](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_0e080d24763c4a219f79331def475961~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_0e080d24763c4a219f79331def475961~mv2.jpg)
In those 14 years that Lexus has been selling the hybrid LS (and other hybrid models in its lineup), Tesla has invaded the luxury market with all-electric vehicles. Jaguar, Audi, Porsche and Volvo have responded by introducing EVs. Mercedes, Cadillac and others have declared that they will transition to all-electric brands sooner rather than later (California has set a goal of ending sales of internal combustion engine-powered new vehicles in 2035).
The 2021 Lexus LS 500h pairs a 3.5-liter gasoline-powered V6 with two electric motors. Combined output is 354 horsepower. Not that stoplight racing is something Lexus LS drivers are prone to, but 60 miles an hour from a standing start happens in 5.2 seconds, which is not too shabby for a 5,100 pound vehicle. The hybrid improves on the gasoline-powered LS 500's EPA fuel economy estimates. 19 city/30 highway with dead dinosaurs becomes 25/33.
![2021 Lexus LS 500h trunk](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_8f6226e767a948919898bf56542a55ab~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_8f6226e767a948919898bf56542a55ab~mv2.jpg)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h rear seat](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_9f116595a6eb4e52bce683b9fe1a01ac~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_9f116595a6eb4e52bce683b9fe1a01ac~mv2.jpg)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h front seat](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_8ab4becfefa24e13868c669b840d7574~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_8ab4becfefa24e13868c669b840d7574~mv2.jpg)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h front seat detail](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_06149f0c12b64c0994ada0f7b4adf3ac~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_06149f0c12b64c0994ada0f7b4adf3ac~mv2.jpg)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h instrument panel](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_a17e5337e90149e49b6d546c8c8529a2~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_37,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_a17e5337e90149e49b6d546c8c8529a2~mv2.png)
A huge trunk, limo-like legroom for rear seat passengers and every creature comfort imaginable all add up to making the LS a great road car. The base price of the 2021 Lexus LS 500h is $90,500. The window sticker is at the end of this review so you can see for yourself, but among the standard equipment highlights at that price are 20-inch alloy wheels, Lexus' Safety System 2.0+ active safety suite, quilted-stitch perforated semi-aniline leather trim, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a power moonroof, navigation with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 23-speaker, 2,400-watt Mark Levinson Quantum Light Immersion Reference Sound System.
![2021 Lexus LS 500h steering wheel and gauge cluster](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_0187ba112d0848078d4b7d9957b0928e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_0187ba112d0848078d4b7d9957b0928e~mv2.jpg)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h gauge cluster](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_a81caefa9e094ba8b133d896a72cda2c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_a81caefa9e094ba8b133d896a72cda2c~mv2.jpg)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h infotainment and HVAC](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_24c2c3332c5b42368bb6bd37a8359dbb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_24c2c3332c5b42368bb6bd37a8359dbb~mv2.jpg)
As comprehensive as the standard equipment is, our test car did have some extra-cost options, including an upgrade to Lexus Safety System + ($3,000), a digital rear-view mirror ($200), an upgrade to a different style of 20-inch alloy wheels ($40), a 24-inch head-up display ($1,200) and the Luxury Package, with 28-way power driver and front passenger seats with multifunction massage, 18-way reclining outboard rear seats with memory and a seven-inch touchscreen controller, four-zone climate control and a power rear sunshade ($9,000).
With $1,025 delivery, processing and handling fee, the as-tested price of the 2021 Lexus LS 500h is $104,965.
![2021 Lexus LS 500h front view](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_9d456941b40e4550b6fbc1a37ec4e30f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_9d456941b40e4550b6fbc1a37ec4e30f~mv2.jpg)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h side view](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_c15242b3f93a45b182962002bb7bda83~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_36,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_c15242b3f93a45b182962002bb7bda83~mv2.png)
![2021 Lexus LS 500h rear view](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/57299e_1b3c4cc16f654bd8a78fea5d11b13a14~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/57299e_1b3c4cc16f654bd8a78fea5d11b13a14~mv2.jpg)
Cheap? No. In the ballpark for full-size luxury sedans these days? Absolutely. The starting price of a Mercedes-Benz S Class is almost five grand higher at $109,800.
As it has for 14 years, the hybrid version of the Lexus LS sedan delivers luxury, a heightened level of fuel economy and value.