Lexus is making a host of small changes to select members of its lineup for 2022 as it tries to keep some of its flagship models fresh for the new model year. That includes the Lexus LS 500 flagship sedan which slinks into 2022 with minimal changes that should still make a big impact with customers.
Revised Suspension Sharpens Up Handling And Ride Comfort
Performance for the 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged V6 carries over unchanged with the boosted mill still producing 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Lexus claims that engineers made three minor tweaks to help improve operation during cold starts, better turbo wastegate management thanks to new logic software, and recalibrated shift mapping for the 10-speed automatic.
However, Lexus hopes that occupants will notice the changes that they have made to the suspension. Engineers have made adjustments to the springs and damper rates in an attempt to improve daily comfort while larger anti-roll bars are designed to help reign in body roll. While the LS 500 will never be a formal sport sedan, these subtle changes will allow drivers to get more enjoyment out of the car and that in turn will allow the LS 500 to lure in more flagship sedan buyers.
Enhanced Safety Now Standard Across The Board
In addition to improving the handling, Lexus is also enhancing safety with the brand making its Safety Sense+ 2.5 system now standard across the entire LS 500 range. This suite brings a number of welcome goodies to the car including Forward Collision Warning, Pre-Collision System, Automatic Emergency Braking, and even Pedestrian Detection and Bicycle Detection software.
Buyers that opt for either the Luxury or Executive packages can take advantage of a new level of bespoke appointments. IN this instance, it’s a new foil interior package called “Haku.” The foil here takes its inspiration from the 400-year-old Japanese art of gold leaf. There are many different styles of leaf as a whole, but the style used in the LS500 is made by hammering the gold leaf until its roughly one-two ten-thousandths of a millimeter thin. Lexus claims that the foil is so fragile as a result, that it cannot be applied by machines, with the trim being meticulously applied to the car by hand.
Thankfully, the updates don’t change the pricing for the model with the base model still starting at $77,075 (including the $1,075 destination fee) and the rest of the family climbing up the pricing ladder accordingly. This will allow the LS 500 to still compete confidently with rivals and maintain some of the value advantage that it has over rivals like the BMW 7-Series, Audi A8, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.