Lexus has redesigned its flagship LS sedan for the 2013 model year to be more luxurious and more refined than the model it replaces. Unfortunately, these changes (and the strong Japanese yen versus the weak U.S. dollar) mean that prices on Lexus’ premier luxury sedan are going up.
The entry-level Lexus LS 460 now starts at $72,885 in rear-drive form, rising to $75,830 for the all-wheel drive version (both including a destination charge of $895). Compare that to $68,525 and $70,830 for the respective 2012 versions, and you see that the price increase is indeed a noticeable one.
Opt for the longer-wheelbase LS 460L, and you’ll see a similar jump in pricing. Including destination charge, the rear-drive model starts at $79,185 for 2013, compared to $74,070 in 2012. The all-wheel-drive version rises to $82,670 for 2013, versus a starting price of $76,375 last year.
The new-for-2013 LS 460 F-Sport will come to market with a price of $82,885 in rear-drive, or priced from $$85,780 when equipped with all-wheel-drive.
All Lexus LS 460 models come with a 4.6-liter V-8 engine, now rated at 386 horsepower and 367 pound feet of torque (compared to 380 hp last year, with the same amount of torque) in rear-drive models. All-wheel-drive models make do with 360 horsepower and 347 pound feet of torque.
As before, the sole transmission option on LS 460 sedans is an eight-speed automatic, and fuel economy remains unchanged from 2012’s numbers.
Atop the LS model range is the 2013 LS 600h L hybrid, which comes only in long-wheelbase form. For 2013, Lexus’ most expensive sedan begins at $120,805 (including destination), which is quite a jump from last year’s $113,645 starting price.
What’s unchanged, however, is the LS 600h L’s powertrain, which returns in the form of a 5.0-liter V-8 working in conjunction with an electric motor and an electric motor / generator. With all three working in harmony, combined output is 438 horsepower, while the EPA-estimated fuel economy remains 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.