Lexus makes some of the sharpest-looking cars out there and has a bold take on grilles. The 2022 Lexus LS carries on this ideology and stands out to be a unique proposition among the likes of Audi A8, the upcoming BMW 7-Series, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This Jap is outdated and well behind its tech-heavy German counterparts but has a distinctive aura when it comes to sportiness.
And that is exactly where Lexus has worked upon when it comes to the 2022 updates. The engine internals and suspension get detailed updates that focused on making the ride smoother and dynamic. Performance remains unchanged from the 2021 LS but the subtle changes bring about quite a notable change to the whole package.
On the inside, Lexus adds more luxury ornamentation and various technology features are accessible across the line-up. Above all, despite all these updates Lexus has managed to keep the pricing unchanged for the 2022 LS. Safety also gets a notable bump with the latest Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 that also includes clever driver-assistive features.
2022 Lexus LS starts with an MSRP of $76,000 and adds engine refinement, reworked suspension, and a richer safety and technology suite to the table.
2022 LS Gets Engine And Suspension Upgrades
The 2022 Lexus LS continues to pack 2 engine options - the OG 416 HP 3.4-Liter Twin-turbo V6 and the 3.5-Liter Hybrid V6 with a combined 354 HP. It comes in 3 trims - 500, 500 F Sport, and 500h; all of which come with RWD as standard. The optional AWD system also packs a Torsen limited-slip differential that adds to a grin-worthy cornering finesse.
While everything sounds similar to last year's there is a slew of major updates deep under the skin. The piston tops have been reshaped to deliver a "quieter" engine and also lower emissions. A new wastegate control module improves the turbo efficiency and the slick-shifting 10-Speed Automatic gearbox gets recalibrated to keep torque and power rolling in the optimum RPM range. The other major update is on the suspension front.
The springs and damper rates have been adjusted to provide for a more comfortable driving experience. New solenoids and control valves have been added to the Adaptive Variable Suspension system for improved comfort and stability. The anti-roll bars are now thicker to minimize body roll. The optional adjustable ride-height feature has also been optimized for better ingress and egress.
2022 Lexus LS Interior Packs A Treat For Audiophiles
The interior layout remains mostly unchanged and the red-and-black upholstery option still looks rad on the 2022 Lexus LS 500 F Sport. Art and technology is the highlight for 2022. Lexus has added a new trim element called "Haku". This is a foil interior treatment that is derived from a 400-year-old Japanese art that uses thin decorative gold leaves.
Called the "Kanazawa-Haku", the leaf was made by hammering gold until it became extremely thin, in the range of ten-thousandths of an mm! The foil is so thin that in the Lexus it is then applied to surfaces by hand. This new trim element is offered with either Luxury or Executive Packages. Apart from this, another cool trim option is the Kiriko Glass ornamentation offered on Executive offerings.
A colored glass trim has hand-cut lines engraved onto it and then it is repeatedly polished for a smooth angelic glow. On the technology front, Lexus has made its cool 23-speaker Mark Levinson audio system available across the line-up. All trims are now also equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
New Lexus LS Exterior Flaunts The Same Old Sharpness
Lexus has not bought about any changes on the exterior and the 2022 LS continues to be one of the sharpest looking luxury sedans out there. The front fascia screams of boldness with the iconic spindle grille winged with what is probably the coolest design LED headlamps.
The elongated form factor is complemented with a sloping roof-line and cool 20-inch wheels. Lexus has managed to make the LS look sharp without being flamboyant and that truly dials up its luxury appeal. If it still doesn't look cool, then Lexus has things covered with the F Sport trim that gets sportier exterior styling bits with side skirts and blacked-out elements.
Safety System+ 2.5 Suite Is Standard Across The Line-Up
The 2022 Lexus LS gets the latest of safety with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 as standard across the trim table. Apart from the wholesome standard safety features, this now adds active safety features like Pre-Collision System (PCS), Frontal Collison Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEB), and Pedestrian Detection and Bicyclist Detection.
The LS500h trim will soon add a new hands-free driver-assist feature called Lexus Teammate. It is a very subtle take on autonomous driving as this feature enables the car to accelerate, brake, and steer itself in a single lane during highway driving.
2022 Lexus LS: Pricing And Launch Date
The most impressive part of the 2022 Lexus LS is its pricing. Despite all these nit-picked updates and changes, Lexus has managed to keep the MSRP intact at $76,000 for the RWD trims and $79,250 for the AWD trims (same as the 2021MY). The improved luxury Lexus sedan will be at the dealerships in late 2021. The competition is still much ahead in all aspects, but it's good to see some serious improvements from Lexus,
Sources: Pressroom.lexus.com, Lexus.com, Motor1.com, Autoblog.com, Motorauthority.com