2026 LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition going out with a bang (in the US)

Last week, Lexus gave the flagship LS full-size luxury sedan some updates for the Japanese market. Not only does it get new exterior colors, but it also gets heated front & rear seats as standard for the 2026 model year. Meanwhile, those who will get the F Sport version will get new red brake calipers for that extra flair.

With that, the vehicle that started it all for Lexus will continue to be with us for the next few years. In the US market, however, the Lexus LS is getting ready for its swan song. That's right, the Lexus LS will soon be consigned to the history books in the US market, as the automaker unveiled the 2026 LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition.

Serving as a final year tribute to the car that launched the brand, the Lexus LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition is a thoughtfully curated model that features elevated style and substance. Only 250 units of the special edition will be made, and all will come with unique exterior and interior features.

For starters, the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition will be painted in a special black exterior hue called “Ninety Noir”. The deep black color complements the dark exterior moldings, as well as the garnishes for that extra sophisticated look. Speaking of sophisticated, the special edition LS also comes with 20-inch alloy wheels with a twenty-split spoke design and a Dark Gray Metallic finish.

Inside, the Heritage Edition will have a Rioja Red interior, a first for the Lexus LS. All 250 examples of the special edition sedan will also come with an etched Lexus LS Heritage Edition emblem on the center console.

When it comes to standard features, the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition will have a panoramic glass roof, a panoramic view monitor (PVM), a Laser Special Black premium wood trim, Ultrasuede trimmed headliner, a Mark Levinson 23-speaker sound system with a 2,400-watt Reference Surround Sound and QuantumLogic Immersion.

Under the hood, a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 powers the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition. It generates 421 PS with 600 Nm of torque and is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Despite being a full-size premium sedan, the AWD LS 500 can sprint from 0 – 97 km/h in 4.6 seconds. It also has various drive modes like Eco, Comfort, Normal, Custom, Sport S, and Sport S+. The AWD system features a Torsen limited-slip differential for better grip, traction, and cornering stability.

With the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition serving as a farewell to the full-size luxury sedan in the US market, we're curious if the LS will continue to be offered in other markets, such as the Philippines. With SUVs and crossovers continuing to grow in popularity, perhaps the LS will become a niche offering in the not-so-distant future in other markets.