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The 2015 Lexus LS combines the seemingly incompatible goals of offering first-class luxury at a relative value. It delivers the dignified indulgence expected of a full-size luxury sedan with plentiful features, but with relatively low cost of ownership and excellent reliability.
Although the 2015 Lexus LS is tough to beat when it comes to refinement and technology, it’s not particularly engaging to drive. The BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and Porsche Panamera are consistently more entertaining to drive, while the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is almost a class apart.
The 2015 Lexus LS gets an updated infotainment system that includes navigation with predictive traffic information. There’s also a new smartphone app called Lexus Enform Remote, which lets you remotely start the vehicle, lock or unlock the doors, and more. The limited-edition Crafted Line based on the LS 460 F Sport celebrates Lexus’ 25th year.
The 2015 Lexus LS maintains and expands this full-size luxury sedan’s enviable reputation for world-class comfort, impeccable construction and class-leading value. For more than two decades, those values have kept the Lexus LS a prominent player on the premium luxury-sedan stage. For 2015 that continues, as Lexus offers the standard LS 460, sporty LS 460 F Sport, long-wheelbase LS 460 L, and the powerful LS 600h L hybrid. Most important, the Lexus LS family offers a significant value against more expensive cars like the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Porsche Panamera. Value and luxury are strange bedfellows, but the low cost of ownership boasted by the Lexus LS is a strong selling point for sensible types who are ready to splurge.
Used 2015 Lexus LS pricing starts at $21,426 for the LS LS 460 Sedan 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $74,450 when new. The range-topping 2015 LS LS 600h L Sedan 4D starts at $30,181 today, originally priced from $121,365.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
$74,450 | $21,426 | |||
$80,860 | $21,189 | |||
$85,940 | $24,845 | |||
$121,365 | $30,181 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2015 Lexus LS models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.
Lexus built its reputation on effortless luxury, and the newest LS model does nothing to diminish that. This big luxury sedan glides over bumps, with lightweight steering and a silent interior that isolates occupants from the outside world. If you want a little more bite to your suspension though, you can twist the Drive Mode Select knob, which alters the engine, suspension and steering settings for a sportier or more relaxed feel. The LS 460 F Sport uses a sport-tuned air suspension and Brembo brakes for more confidence-inspiring handling and braking. Despite this, enthusiasts are likely to be disappointed that the F Sport doesn’t offer additional power over the standard LS 460. Additionally, while the LS 600h L offers more than 50 additional horsepower for slightly better acceleration its 5,159-pound curb weight makes it feel porky around corners.
A center-mounted 12.3-inch infotainment screen, controlled by the Remote Touch interface, dominates the 2015 Lexus LS dash. This big luxury sedan balances style, functionality and luxury, treating occupants to comfortably contoured seats wrapped in soft leather. Rear-seat passengers aren’t ignored, especially in the long-wheelbase LS 460 L and LS 600h L, where there’s excellent headroom and legroom. Standard LS 460 models have their choice of five unique interior themes, while the attractive bamboo interior theme is reserved for the LS 600h hybrid. F Sport models get a sporty steering wheel and seats, plus aluminum interior trim, while the Crafted Line LS F Sport boasts black leather seating with scarlet contrast stitching.
The wide grille, bulging hood and distinctive rear end make this the most radical-looking LS to date, although compared to other Lexus cars like the new RC, it’s practically restrained. The long-wheelbase LS 460 L and LS 600h L hide their extra length well. The same can’t be said for the LS 460 F Sport, which feature aggressive front and rear designs, a 10-millimeter-reduced ride height, and 19-inch wheels instead of the standard 18-inchers. Crafted Line models are dressed in white and feature obsidian accents to the door handles, side mirrors and more. Available as an option are special wheels featuring a hollow section that reduces tire noise through the technical wonders of science.
REMOTE TOUCH INTERFACE
Used on several Lexus vehicles, the Remote Touch is a mouse-like system used to select functions on the infotainment-system screen. The combination of an LCD screen, a cursor and tactile feedback similar to rolling a marble over a small indentation makes it easy to learn and use.
EXECUTIVE CLASS REAR-SEATING PACKAGE
If you think European manufacturers have an edge in luxury, you’ve never seen the Executive Class package for the Lexus LS. The right-rear seat reclines, there’s vibrating and shiatsu massage, a Blu-ray entertainment system and a wood-trimmed console table, making it as luxurious as anything you’d find in a European sedan.
In the world of full-size luxury sedans, "base" models are impressively equipped. The 2015 Lexus LS comes standard with a 16-way power driver’s seat, a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, keyless entry with push-button start, a 10-speaker audio system, parking sensors and a rearview camera, and navigation with integrated smartphone apps and data services. On the safety front, every LS is fitted with eight airbags, whiplash-lessening front seats and adaptive front headlights that pivot into corners as the car is steered.
Of course, luxury means self-expression, and there’s a long list of options for the Lexus LS. You can pick your interior trim, including soft Alcantara headliner and semi-aniline leather upholstery, plus wood-trimmed rear-seat accessories. The adjustable adaptive air suspension smooths out the ride even more, and the Mark Levinson audio system is really a must. The Lexus Driver Attention Monitor sounds an alert if the driver isn’t watching the road, adaptive cruise control maintains a preset distance behind the vehicle ahead, and a pedestrian-detection and pre-collision system can apply the brakes in the event of an imminent collision.
The 2015 Lexus LS 460 offers a 386-horsepower 4.6-liter V8, routing that power through an 8-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels (RWD). All-wheel drive (AWD) is available, but horsepower drops to 360. The top-of-the-line Lexus LS 600h L uses a 5.0-liter V8 combined with a pair of electric motor/generators, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a continuously variable transmission and a full-time AWD system. All that technology allows the hybrid LS to accelerate as quickly as its non-hybrid counterparts while giving it a 3-mpg advantage in city driving. It should come as no surprise that these premium cars require premium fuel, too.
4.6-liter V8
386 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
367 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg (RWD)
4.6-liter V8
360 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
347 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 mpg (AWD)
5.0-liter V8 + electric motor/generator
389 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
385 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
Total power: 438 horsepower
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/23 mpg
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
Curb Weight | 4277 lbs. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fuel Capacity | 22.2 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 38.0 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 43.7 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 5 | ||
Minimum Ground Clearance | 5.1 inches | ||
Overall Length | 205.0 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 58.5 inches | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 18.0 cu.ft. | ||
Turning Diameter | 35.4 feet | ||
Wheel Base | 121.7 inches | ||
Payload Capacity | 825 lbs. | ||
Width with mirrors | 73.8 inches |
Adaptive Headlights | Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
Fog Lights | Available | ||
HID Headlights | Available | ||
Moon Roof/Sun Roof | Available | ||
Number of Doors | 4 doors | ||
Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | Available | ||
LED Headlights | Available |
City | 16 mpg | ||
---|---|---|---|
Highway | 24 mpg | ||
Combined | 19 mpg |
Drivetrain | RWD | ||
---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic | ||
8 speed | Available | ||
Recommended Fuel | Premium |
Horsepower | 386 @ 6400 RPM | ||
---|---|---|---|
Torque | 367 @ 4100 rpm | ||
Engine | V8, 4.6 Liter | ||
0 to 60 | 5.4 seconds | ||
Top Speed | 130 mph |
Basic | 4 years / 50000 miles | ||
---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 6 years / 70000 miles | ||
Corrosion | 6 years / Unlimited miles |
Used 2015 Lexus LS | Used 2020 Volkswagen Passat | Used 2018 Acura TLX | Used 2017 BMW 5 Series | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $21,940 | $19,751 | $19,762 | $19,832 | |
KBB.com Rating | N/A | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.7 | |
Consumer Rating | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | |
Fuel Economy | City 16/Hwy 24/Comb 19 MPG | City 23/Hwy 34/Comb 27 MPG | City 20/Hwy 32/Comb 24 MPG | City 20/Hwy 30/Comb 24 MPG | |
Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | |
Safety Rating | N/A | N/A | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Basic Warranty | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | |
Horsepower | 386 @ 6400 RPM | 174 @ 5200 RPM | 290 @ 6200 RPM | 335 @ 5500 RPM | |
Engine | V8, 4.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, i-VTEC, 3.5 Liter | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | |
Drivetrain | RWD | FWD | FWD | RWD |
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