2020 Lexus LS Models with Comparisons & Configurations.

The 2020 LS sedan is the flagship of the Lexus brand. This four-door luxury vehicle encapsulates all that the company is known for. It's a stylish car with an elegant exterior design. The interior is equally attractive and extremely comfortable. The handling dynamics and ride quality are second to none.

The 2020 Lexus LS comes in four different models. There are three trim levels and one special model. Lexus offers a gasoline powertrain as well as a hybrid-engine option. Every trim level is available in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variations. Here are the different models and how they compare with one another.

 

Compare the 2020 Lexus LS 500 vs LS 500 Sport Model. What is the difference?

The Lexus LS 500 is the base model of this luxury sedan. The Sport model, true to its name, has some extras to make it more athletic. It offers a sport-tuned suspension system. The Sport model also features 20-inch alloy wheels while the LS 500 has 19-inch alloys. The LS 500 is equipped with all-season tires. The Sport comes with a set of summer tires.

The Sport Model's suspension, handling and steering dynamics make for a sportier driving experience. Both of these sedans are powered by the same 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine. They also both share the same 10-speed automatic-transmission system. The V6 cranks out an impressive 416 horsepower with 442 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration is fantastic no matter which model you choose here.

The LS 500 and 500 Sport both have a combined fuel-economy rating of 23 miles-per-gallon. Both have Eco Mode and Sport Mode. These options are settings for how the engines and transmission systems perform. The Eco Mode is more fuel efficient. The Sport Mode is meant for fast acceleration and peek performance.

On the outside of this Lexus, all models get premium, LED headlamps. The headlamps have an auto on/off feature as well as automatic high beams. Daytime running lights are also standard across all models. All trim packages feature LED taillights too. The LS 500 and 500 Sport come with a power moonroof. A panoramic moonroof is optional for both.

The rest of the exterior features are identical between the LS 500 and the 500 Sport. Lexus, being a luxury brand, has added a lot of bells and whistles to the exterior of every model. Rain-sensing wipers kick on automatically when it starts to rain. The side mirrors have a heating feature for quick defrosting. The mirror viewing angles are power adjustable and they can also be manually folded in.

Another great thing about the outside mirrors is the memory feature. Position settings can be stored and instantly recalled for different drivers. The trunk has a power lift-gate. This can be operated hands-free thanks to some motion sensors. This makes loading and unloading groceries and other cargo a breeze.

Remote keyless entry allows the driver to quickly enter the vehicle with the press of a button. These two models also offer proximity keyless entry. This is even faster as it requires no action on the users part. This system can be set up so that the doors unlock automatically when the key fob gets within a specific distance of the vehicle.

On the inside of the Lexus LS 500 and LS 500 Sport, the seats are covered with premium leather. The 16-way power adjustments give the driver and front passenger unprecedented control over the seat positioning. The front seats even offer power-adjusted lumbar support. The seats are very supportive and comfortable.

The front bucket seats have multi-level cooling and heating features for even more comfort in all weather conditions. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and also has a heating feature. Common options such as power locks and windows are standard across the board here. Every model also offers adaptive cruise control.

The LS 500 and 500 Sport both have dual-zone climate control. This means that the driver and front passenger can set their own temperature and other variables. There are also separate climate controls for the back-seat passengers. These can be adjusted manually. A 12-volt DC power outlet is located up front.

Both of these models have the exact same audio and infotainment systems. The infotainment system features a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The display offers full-color HD graphics. There are USB inputs up front for charging and connecting smart devices. The system also offers Bluetooth connectivity.

Hands-free Bluetooth operation and voice commands allow the driver to keep their hands safely on the steering wheel. Some manual controls for the audio system are located right on the steering wheel as well. In-car WiFi allows backseat passengers to use their phones, tablets and other mobile devices. Apple CarPlay compatibility is standard here too.

Every model of the Lexus LS has a full navigation system built into the infotainment center. When it comes to music, audio can be streamed to the system via Bluetooth technology. Every trim level has an AM/FM HD radio, a CD player and satellite-radio capabilities. There are a total of 12 speakers throughout the interior for amazing surround sound.

When it comes to safety, once again we see the same features for both the LS 500 and the 500 Sport. There are front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger. The driver also gets an extra airbag for knee protection. Additional curtain airbags offer more security for occupants in the front and rear.

Every model of this Lexus gets a rear-view camera. Sensors in the back and front of the car make parking a whole lot easier. A blind-spot monitor gives drivers even more awareness of their surroundings. There's even an active front-collision detector. Brake assist and automatic braking kick in at just the right times to mitigate car damage and injuries in the event of an impending collision.

Lane-keep assist makes sure that drivers don't veer dangerously out of their own lane. Rear cross-traffic alert is yet another system that gives drivers info on their surrounding conditions. A tire-pressure monitor lets people know if the tires get dangerously low on air.

Stability control is standard on both of these models. This helps drivers to keep control of the sedan if they suddenly have to do some extreme maneuvering. Traction control is standard here as well. This means that the LS 500 and 500 Sport will always get good traction even on slippery pavement. This is especially true for the all-wheel drive models. Last of all, every LS model gets a standard car alarm to keep would-be thieves at bay.

In addition to the standard features and options, Lexus offers a number of additional packages. The LS 500 has access to an Interior Upgrade Package that the Sport model does not. This package offers a semi-aniline leather interior with perforations and a quilt-stitched pattern. The front seats get upgraded to 28-position models. There is also a massage feature for the driver's seat. The rear seats get an added heating feature.

The LS also gets access to the Luxury Package and the Executive Package. Each offers what the previous package does plus some new additions. The Luxury Package adds four-zone climate control. The Executive Package adds multi-way adjustable rear seats with cozy headrests, heating and massage features.

The Sport and LS 500 models get the option for the Performance Package. This deal adds on dynamic rear steering, active stabilizers and variable gear-ratio steering. Both can add on a Cold Weather Package with an enhanced heater, headlamp cleaners and windshield-wiper de-icers. Last of all is the Lexus Safety Package that adds on all of the previously optional driver assists.

Compare the 2020 Lexus LS 500 Sport vs LS 500h Models. What is the difference?

The main difference between the LS 500 Sport and the 500h is the powertrain. The LS 500 comes equipped with the Lexus 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6. This power plant features 24 valves. The 500h is a hybrid model. It still has a V6 but gone are the dual turbochargers. In their place is an electric motor that works in tandem with the gasoline engine.

The 500h hybrid cranks out 354 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque. While this is impressive and plenty capable, it falls short of the standard engine's specs. It does get a better fuel-economy rating though. The combined rating on the hybrid is 28 miles-per-gallon. Specifically, it should get around 33 miles-per-gallon on the highway and 30 miles while driving around in the city.

Along with the hybrid engine, the 500h has a different transmission system. Instead of the 10-speed automatic of the Sport model, the 500h gets a 4-speed CVT. The exterior features of these two models are almost identical. The 500h offers power folding mirrors on the outside. The Sport and base models have manually folding mirrors. The 500h reverts back to 19-inch wheels instead of the 20-inch models found on the 500 Sport trim.

The interiors are also the same between these two models. They share the same carpeting, upholstery and other materials. Both have the same seats and the same basic features. The audio systems are identical. The 500h does have one additional feature for the infotainment system. There are additional rear-seat entertainment monitors. All of the safety and security equipment is the same here. This includes the standard driver assists and the car alarm.

Compare the 2020 Lexus LS 500h vs LS Inspiration Series. What is the difference?

The Lexus LS Inspiration Series is a very limited, special-edition model of this luxury sedan. It is actually limited to only 300 vehicles worldwide. It has the same gasoline engine as the LS 500 and 500 Sport models. The automatic transmission system is the same here as well. This means all of the horsepower, performance and fuel-efficiency stats are the same for this special model.

On the inside of the Inspiration model, there is plenty of white-leather trim. This gives the interior an even more upscale and sophisticated appearance. The instrument cluster and panels now feature eye-catching blue LED lights. The interior also has kiriko-glass, handcrafted ornamentation.

For the exterior, the Inspiration model gets a unique, deep-garnet paint job. It's not just the only current model to sport this paint scheme, it's the only model in the history of Lexus to feature it. Last of all, this model gets 20-inch alloy wheels with a unique black-vapor chrome finish.

Most of the changes for this special edition are cosmetic in nature. The exterior and interior features for the Inspiration are the same as those found on the LS 500 model. This includes the same audio and infotainment systems. The standard safety features that were previously mentioned also make a return for this model.

Which Model to Choose?

Every model of the Lexus LS is a fantastic luxury sedan. They all offer great performance and impeccable style. The interiors are luxurious and comfortable in every version of this car. Every model is filled with technology and convenience features. For most drivers, the choice will come down to the Lexus LS 500 or the LS Inspiration model.

The hybrid model doesn't offer fuel efficiency that's a lot better than what the regular engine offers. The combined rating is only about 5 miles-per-gallon more. The Sport model offers an upgraded suspension system, but it still has the same horsepower as the base model. There aren't enough reasons for most to choose the 500h or the Sport over the other two options.

The Inspiration model has some nice extras. If you want something rare and unique, this is your choice. It is, however, significantly more expensive than the base model LS 500. For most buyers, the regular LS 500 will be the best value. It offers all of the luxury and performance of the Sport and 500h models. It's simply the best bargain of the bunch.