The 2022 Lexus LS 500h was among the first hybrid full-size luxury sedans and it has been in the lineup for the last two generations. For 2022, the largest Lexus sedan sees significant changes on the standard equipment front and it’s available only in AWD configuration. You now get many of the creature comforts that were once optional. That includes heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch touch screen, built-in navigation, triple beam LED headlights, and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system.
Among the available options on the 2022 Lexus LS 500h is the Teammate system. This is Toyota’s hands-free semi-autonomous system that’s also available on the Toyota Mirai. It includes two components: Advanced Park, which allows the car to parallel park or back into a spot. This utilizes an array of cameras and sensors to enable the vehicle to fit into any space that it fits in. The second component is Advanced Drive, which uses adaptive cruise control in combination with lane centering, steering assist, and traffic jam assist to keep you tracking straight, following other vehicles, and navigating interchanges. This also includes automatic lane changing and overtaking.
Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, a newer version of the brand’s driver assistance suite, is standard. It includes adaptive cruise control, front automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, cyclist detection, intersection assist, lane-keeping, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking are also standard on the LS 500h. You can upgrade to the Lexus Safety System+ A package, which adds an upgraded adaptive cruise control system, active steering assist, active braking, front lateral side detection, and front cross-traffic alert.
If you’re looking for more creature comforts, you can opt for the Luxury package. That adds 18-way power rear outboard seats, massaging front seats, semi-aniline leather upholstery, a 7.0-inch touch screen for rear-seat passengers, and four-zone climate control. There’s also a neat Haku ornamental trim if traditional wood or aluminum is too plain for you. Stand-alone options are limited to alloy wheels measuring 19 or 20 inches in diameter. If you’re looking for the F Sport package, you won’t find it in the electrified LS because it’s exclusive to the internal combustion LS 500.
Powering the LS 500h is one of the quirkiest hybrid systems on the market. It pairs a 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery, a planetary gear set, and a four-speed automatic transmission. The combined system output is 354 hp. Using the planetary gear set and four-speed automatic, the system mimics a 10-speed transmission with the latter handling first, fourth, sixth, and eighth gear. Every other “shift” is done by the planetary gear set. The LS 500h also gets a drive mode selector with a Sport S+ and Custom setting. According to the EPA, the LS 500h is rated at 22/29/25 mpg city/highway/combined. Keep in mind that the rear-drive version is no longer available, which was rated at 25/33/28 mpg.
There is a downside to the added standard equipment on the 2022 Lexus LS 500h: the price. Its extra goodies and AWD mean it now starts at $113,075. From there, prices increase once you start adding the extra convenience options.
