Looking across the spectrum of luxury offerings you see sedans sales numbers dropping. Price matters and while BMW, Mercedes and Audi had some v8 opitions those prices were some 50% higher than the LS500 and sold very low numbers.
My guess and opinion is SUV were the preferred choice for high end luxury buyers.
Leases in this catagory matter and long term durabilty does not with lease buyers. They keep the car 3 years. Performance of the twin Turbo v6's is better then the V8. Am I wrong if we just go by raw spead and toruque? I don't go on LS460 forums and argue the engines. We tend to advocate for what we own so its a pointless exercise in objectivity. Now is 0-60 the only measure? Of course not. Would I have preferred the V8 in the LS500? Yes. would it have "Saved" its sales numbers? Tough to say. Why? The whole segement of luxury sedans across all manufacturers shows lower sales. Pandemic? EV enter the market? Far more suv offerings that are sedan like? (The X6 for example). Luxury owners want to control mother nature so being up taller, with bigger wheels, more clearance, etc gives them that. Pandemic had a profound effect on attitudes for survival and how we bought things?

Im in the minority. WE own a 2019 LS500 and a 2018 Audi a4 allroad. Not one SUV in my driveway. I buy my cars 3 years old with low miles and pay cash. No extended warranty. No loans and thus no payments. I find well serviced cars that have no redundant issues that have been serviced at dealer. Usually leased and well documented history. This formula works for me. Not advocatoing its the "Best". But it affects how I buy and price matters so it influences my choices. I also recognize the depreciation factors. My cars depreciation will continue so I buy cheap and expect to sell cheap but the velocity of depreciation is taken in the first few years is faster than on the back end. Im not being critical to anyone buying preferences. Im stressing that my formula influnces what cars I buy. We are on our 4th Allroad/Avant and the mrs. loves her audi's. If the LS500 did not depreciate as it did, I would not be an owner.

My driving habits and mileage also affect my purchases. My wife drives more day to day but the Lexus is our road trip car. We dont' put more than 10-12k on each per year. Going forward Im thinking one EV would make sense and the decline of luxury EV prices is very tempting. 2022 Really low mile Tesla S plaid selling for under 50k with a MSRP of $140k is crazy. Taycans are holding up better but not great.

Lexus sells more SUV/CUV than sedans. Times have changed. The curernt LS500 introducedi n 2018 in the North American Market so consider the lead up time for development and what the world looked like. Europe was dealiing emissions fraud and trying to reduce its air pollution and Obama was in his second term. Alternative/Clan energy was thoguht to be

 

Fall is upon us and it’s hard to believe Lexus has been able to keep a new LS under wraps without any real leaks as to what is coming.
That they could be tooling up for a new LS without any info reaching the public is amazing.
Reminds me of the old days when dealers covered their showroom windows before introducing a new model.
Then again, most people don’t give a damn anymore. They are happy to just drive a new white SUV like all of their friends. Most of my neighbors are driving those things. They don’t even know how many if any cylinders they have and couldn’t care less.

 

What makes you think they are 'tooling up' for a car segment offering that won't even cover the costs of tooling? Maybe we haven't heard anything because there is nothing to hear. It's dead. Looks like they put all of their resources into the LX700.

 

Per: https://www.topspeed.com/lexus-ls-sticking-around/

"“There is no intention for LS discontinuation globally,” said Patrick Scheelen, Senior Manager of Lexus Product Communications for Europe. "

Now, any lawyer would note the words "no intention" - but it'd still be quite a statement to walk back as multiple news sources called out Lexus North America saying 'no' to pulling the LS.

 

Was that before or after tariffs? I bet they eliminate the model. Delay at the very least.

 

Per this, after.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariff...administration

 

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/09/le...ades-for-2026/

 

The F sport crowd must be excited about them Red Caliper covers!
They are not going to sell many here in the U.S. but an S class starts at $119k.
I built one like my LS500 and its 145k. No V8 either. Twin Turbo 6 with 0-60 in 4.5 sec.
It looks like a c class.
Not saying Lexus or others are not similar looking thru the line.
Now, Im not saying its not worth the money. Looks? Subjective. The interior? Im sure its nice. Big *** screen in the middle and a bad fit dash screen for the drive.
Would I be happy with it? Perhaps. That thing cost $90,000 more than mine. Yes, money matters. I only mess with my apple carplay when I drive so infotainment is not an issue even with LS500 limitations.

I priced out an A8 with 8cyl. Interior is nice. Audis do it well! Not much soul though. 0-60 in 3.3 sec. prices out at $150,000.
When I priced out one like mine its $107K 0-60 is 5.6 sec. Looks far nicer style than the S class.
So lets just say that at LS500 base at $75k gives you the drive-train and is a bargain at that price vs. others. Audi starts at 95K.
Flagships these day are not very inspiring. If Im going new and under $150K? Panamera 4!!!! Thats my "***** it" Sedan.
Personally I really like the Audi A7 style and how it sits!
Thats my opinion. I have not driven any of these but I take it they all awesome and ride nicer than my 6 year old LS500!

 

News from Lexus today touts the flagship SUV???https://lexus.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5629360ad3a5392cdf14aa24f&id=13ba0047b9&e=43a52dff5d

They don’t say it’s replacing the LS, but it sure carries a hefty price tag when fully spec’d out.

Then there is the 2026 ES500…..

 

LS will be discontinued. 2026 will be a final Heritage edition.

 

RIP

https://pressroom.lexus.com/2026-lex...-the-original/

• Lexus unveils the 2026 LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition as a final year tribute to the car that launched the brand
• Limited to 250 units in the United States, this model is offered as mono spec finished in the striking new Lexus-first exterior color, Ninety Noir, over an LS-first Rioja Red interior

 

LS died when the V8 was discontinued.

 

This is what I said yesterday.
I am so sad about it.

 

Definitely, it was dying. during the 460 period. It hasn't been the same since the LS430. Nonetheless, I love the 500. It's bold. I'm thinking about getting a 430 as a daily. But that's another story.

 

I agree with you. I am tired of Crossovers & SUVs.