07:46 18-05-2026

Lexus LS Goes SUV: What to Expect from the Next-Gen Flagship

Lexus is turning the LS sedan into an SUV or crossover for next generation. Expected as plug-in hybrid or EV, the new LS flagship aims to compete with BMW X7.

The Lexus LS might be in for the most radical reboot in its history. Japanese media reports indicate that the next-generation flagship could abandon the traditional sedan body and adopt a luxury SUV or crossover format.

Lexus hinted at this move at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, where it unveiled not a new sedan but two unconventional concepts: a massive six-wheeled luxury van and a coupe-like crossover. CALTY president Ian Cartabiano described the LS as no longer a single model but a "family of flagships." Lexus now interprets the abbreviation as Luxury Space, moving beyond the classic executive sedan.

Rumors suggest the LS SUV project has already received the green light, with a possible debut in 2027 or 2028, though development could accelerate. There is no official confirmation yet, but the reasoning is clear: the current LS has been on sale since 2017, making it one of the oldest models in Lexus's lineup.

Age isn't the only issue. Large sedans are losing appeal, and premium buyers are gravitating toward SUVs. The BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and Range Rover now occupy the role once held by executive sedans. Lexus has the LX, but that's more of a rugged off-roader than a direct flagship luxury crossover.

The new LS is rumored to be a plug-in hybrid or fully electric, with possible designations LS600h+ and LS800e, but these remain speculation.

For longtime LS fans, this shift in format might be hard to accept. However, the market has already made its decision: status is now measured by ride height, interior space, and technology rather than sedan length. Lexus apparently doesn't want to kill off the LS name—it's simply preparing it for a new form.