Updated 2026 Lexus LS Launches In Japan

Lexus has given its LS flagship saloon a minor fresh for the 2026 model year guise in its home market of Japan.

It appears that the fifth-generation (chassis code: XF50) Lexus LS flagship saloon lives on in its Japanese home market. Released this week was an updated 2026 model year version of the facelifted model that launch in 2020 – the initial pre-facelift version bowed first in 2017.

For this latest round of changes, much of the tweaks are minor so to speak as Lexus opted to carry over the mechanical package and overall design. It does however see the list of standard equipment beefed up, and there are new details to note in its sporty F Sport trimline option.

Visually, the changes are minor and sees Lexus add two new paintjob options across all grades. Lexus also beefed up standard equipment across the board.

Firstly, this 2026MY refresh sees Lexus add White Nova Glass Flake and Deep Blue Mica exterior paint options as standard for all grades. On board, the cabin remains largely unchanged in appearance, though the heated front and rear seats are now standard across the board.

Whilst on the cabin still, it continues to feature massive dual 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and central infotainment displays. What also continues to remain optionally available is this flagship saloon’s signature ‘Kiriko’ hand-cut glass décor for its doors.

On board, little has changed visually. Instead, heated front and rear seats now come as standard across the board.

The sporty F Sport guise mentioned prior seems to be a unique Japanese market option. For this 2026MY refresh at least, said sporty trimline gains new red-painted brake calipers that further enhance its stance.

Mechanically, no changes were made to the LS500 and LS500h powertrains. The former continues to feature a 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol lump rated at 415 hp, whereas the latter also continues to pair a 3.5-litre V6 naturally aspirated mill with hybrid e-motors to put out 354 hp.

Like before, both variants also continue to see both rear- (RWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration options available.

A unique Japanese option, the F Sport trim also gains new red-painted brake calipers in this 2026MY refresh.

Lastly, prices for the 2026 Lexus LS range in Japan has gone up too. It now commands a starting price of ¥11,110,000 (approx. RM3129,90) for the base-spec LS500 I Package, climbing all the way up to ¥17,730,000 (approx. RM499,490) for the LS500h AWD Executive.

Versus the previous model year, said prices have risen between ¥150,000-¥170,000 (RM4,225-RM4,789) depending on variant. Order books are now opened in Japan with deliveries slated to begin soon too.

Locally, the Lexus LS continues to be listed as available through Lexus Malaysia. Expect the recent changes reported in this refreshed 2026MY Japanese market version to reflect in this local version soon too.

Outside Japan, the Lexus LS is positioned by the Toyota-owned luxury marque as its ‘global flagship’. In reality though, Lexus only offers the LS in select overseas markets.

Currently, the Lexus LS is officially listed still by Lexus Malaysia priced from RM1,250,000 onwards. Expect this listing to be updated soon based on the model’s recent refresh in Japan we just detailed.