2013 Lexus LS

While the large flagship sedan is important for a luxury brand’s image, it’s not quite as important as it once was. Most luxury marques now focus more on utilities and performance cars. Take Lexus for example; their popular RX crossover and LFA supercar have changed the way many of us think of the brand. Still, Lexus hasn’t forsaken the car that started it all, the LS. And for 2013 it returns to the spotlight.

Hot on the heels of an all-new, more dynamic GS and an increasingly luxurious ES, comes the full-size 2013 Lexus LS.  While not completely new, the Lexus LS has been heavily revised in order to maintain its place as the luxury brand’s flagship sedan. And that’s not an easy task as both the middle-weight ES and GS have features worthy of any brands standard bearer. 

Starting with the hardware, the usual chassis stiffening and suspension recalibration has all taken place; along with powertrain tweaks that include 6-more horsepower for a total of 386 accompanied by 367 lb-ft. of torque from the 4.6-liter V8 that comes standard in the LS 460 and extended wheelbase LS 460L. Both also can add all-wheel drive. The 8-speed automatic transmission has also been reworked for more efficiency, and on that subject, the all-wheel drive LS600h Hybrid model returns as well.

But, on to the more exciting news. Lexus has added an F-Sport model to the line-up, bringing some much needed flash and stimulation to what has without-a-doubt been the most conservative of all Lexus entries. 

While all LS’s get revised front and rear styling, the F-sport takes it a nice step further; replacing the corporate Lexus slotted, spindle grille with a mesh one and adding LED fog lamps and some additional lower openings for sending cooling air to the upgraded Brembo brakes. Aero treatments on the doors and rear tail lights help reduce wind noise, as well as provide additional stability. Adaptive HID headlights are standard on the LS, while full front LED lighting is available. Tail lights use LED’s too, and further exaggerate the “L’ shaped len’s details. The styling of the rear mimics that of the front as the lines widen as they flow downward and chromed dual exhaust tips portray some attitude.

Inside, the F-sport eschews the usual Lexus treatment of exotic woods and buttery leather, but with sporty aluminum trim on the dash and doors, and is available in Black Alcantara leather only with embossed headrests. While the dash remains wide and flat, it follows the GS in now resembling the 7-Series BMW with a large, hooded 12.3-inch multimedia and navigation display. The new gen remote touch Haptic joystick controls most systems with backup switchgear for critical functions. The vivid electroluminescent gauges are more 3D-like than ever. F-Sport seats have additional side bolstering, though they remain every bit as comfortable as LS tradition demands. 

Optional heated and cooled front seats along with the heated steering wheel are now tied in with the cabin climate control system, so just set everything to auto, dial in a temperature, and forget it. Rear seats offer plenty of leg room and width for three, even in the standard wheelbase model, again with heating and cooling, plus massage optional.

The updated Lexus Drive select system adds a new Sport S+ mode for the F-Sport which also includes ECO, Comfort, Normal, and Sport S. Sport S+ is where you’ll truly get the most enjoyment out of the F Sport. The air suspension goes firmer, the steering gets tighter, shifts are quicker, and the throttle more responsive making best use of the F-Sport’s added limited slip rear differential.

While Government Fuel Economy Ratings have not yet to be set, Lexus anticipates they won’t change from the current model at 16-City, 24-Highway, and 19-Combined. 

Pricing is expected to be a bit less than the outgoing model starting at around $67,000.

While the 2013 Lexus LS is a worthy flagship in every respect, and a true demonstration of how fine Japanese craftsmanship can be, on-the-whole it remains quite reserved. Fortunately, the F-Sport package does add a modicum of WOW factor for the few buyers that will care. Other than that, the new LS provides a more modern design and improved driving dynamics to the LS faithful. And, that should ensure that they will remain so.