5 Minutes
Heritage Edition sends the current LS out in style
Almost nine years after Toyota introduced the fifth-generation Lexus LS, the luxury sedan bows out with a limited-run special that wears its history on its sleeve. The 2026 Lexus LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition is a 250-unit U.S. exclusive that pays tribute to the original LS 400 while packing the modern technology and comfort buyers expect from a flagship premium sedan.
Design and interior highlights
Lexus leans into a monochrome theme for the Heritage Edition, debuting a deep new black called Ninety Noir and adding darker exterior trim to sharpen the sedan's presence. Inside, the cabin contrasts the sober exterior with Rioja Red upholstery and bespoke details that underline the model's commemorative intent. A special Lexus LS Heritage Edition emblem sits on the center console, mirrored in embroidered headrests to reinforce the limited-edition status.

Key interior and appearance features include:
- Ninety Noir exterior color and dark garnish around the grille
- Rioja Red leather upholstery with embroidered headrests
- Laser Special Black wood trim and Ultrasuede on sun visors and headliner
- Panoramic glass roof and 360-degree camera system
- Mark Levinson 23-speaker premium audio
Technology, safety and convenience
Lexus has equipped the Heritage Edition with a long standard equipment list that readies it for both chauffeured comfort and tech-savvy owners. A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports cordless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Cloud Navigation, a head-up display, and Digital Key bring convenience to daily driving. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, Full-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist round out an extensive safety package. Buyers also receive five years of Lexus Safety Connect trial access.

Highlights at a glance:
- 12.3-inch infotainment with wireless smartphone integration
- Mark Levinson 23-speaker audio and panoramic roof
- Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 and multiple driver assists
- Full 360-degree cameras and heated rear seats
Performance and powertrain
Under the hood, the Heritage Edition keeps the twin-turbo V6 that powers the current LS 500 AWD. Output is rated at 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque (600 Nm), routed to all four wheels for confident, composed driving. For many buyers that will be more than enough, but in the context of segment rivals the powertrain choice reflects Lexus choosing refinement over headline-grabbing figures.
How it stacks up against key rivals:
- Mercedes S 500 4MATIC: hybridized inline-six producing 442 hp, plus an integrated 48V starter generator that adds around 23 hp and boosts low-end torque
- BMW 740i: listed at roughly 375 hp from a turbocharged inline-six
- Both Mercedes and BMW offer V8 options and full-electric variants in the S-Class and 7 Series lineups, where Lexus currently does not

Price and availability
The 2026 LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition carries an MSRP of 99,280 dollars in the United States, which includes a 1,450-dollar destination fee. Deliveries begin this fall and, given the 250-car run, interested buyers will need to move fast.
What this release means for Lexus
The Heritage Edition is both a nod to the LS lineage and a statement of the brand's current direction: exceptional comfort, layered craftsmanship, and advanced safety, delivered without the extreme powertrain escalation seen from some German rivals. It also closes a chapter on the current V6-powered flagship and raises questions about Lexus's next move — an electric LS could be on the horizon, but as of September 2025 no test mules for a new generation have been widely spotted.
Expect potential news at the Japan Mobility Show in late October 2025, where Lexus might preview the brand's next flagship direction. Until then, the Heritage Edition stands as a collectible send-off for the fifth-generation LS.
Quick highlights:
- Limited to 250 units in the U.S.
- Price: 99,280 dollars incl. destination
- 416 hp, 442 lb-ft twin-turbo V6, AWD
- Signature interior, Mark Levinson audio, and Lexus Safety System+ 3.0
Source: autoevolution
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