The flagship sedan goes off sale after 35 years in the UK market
January 29, 2025 at 08:45
- Lexus has announced that the LS sedan is no longer available in the UK market.
- The flagship sedan has sold only 39 units in the UK since the start of the decade.
The Lexus LS was the brand’s first production model to arrive in the UK back in 1990, marking the beginning of the company’s presence in the market. Now, after more than three decades, it quietly disappears from the lineup, its exit prompted by years of declining sales that barely registered on the charts.
With the LS discontinued, the ES remains the only Lexus sedan available in the UK. The rest of the lineup consists primarily of SUVs and crossovers, including the LBX, UX, NX, RZ, and RX, along with the LM minivan.
More: As The Lexus LS Turns 35, Does It Deserve A Future?
According to Autocar, Lexus sold just three units of the LS in the UK in 2024. Since 2020, only 39 examples have been registered in the country, making it the brand’s slowest-selling model by a significant margin.
Beyond lackluster demand, Lexus cited homologation and legislation challenges as additional reasons for the LS’s removal from the market. A spokesperson also noted that the LM minivan has drawn interest from a similar customer base, further reducing the need for a dedicated flagship sedan.
Lexus LS500h Takumi AWD-i (UK-spec)
A look at Lexus UK’s official website confirms that the LS has been moved from the “New Cars” section to “Previous Models.” The model’s page now carries a notice stating: “Lexus has discontinued the LS in the UK. However, for more information on LS used car stock, please contact your nearest Centre or search online.”
At the bottom of the page, the company asks potential buyers “Have you considered the Lexus ES as an alternative?”, directing them to their other sedan that sits one segment below the LS.
More: 2026 Lexus ES Debuts With A Bigger Display And Mild Tweaks In China
Before it went off sale, the Lexus LS was priced between £101,000 ($125,400) and £128,000 ($158,900) depending on the trim. All UK-spec models were the LS500h with a self-charging hybrid setup, which combined a 3.5-liter V6 engine with dual electric motors, and AWD offered as an option.
Lexus still offers the LS in Japan, North America, and select European markets. The fifth-generation LS debuted in 2017 and received a mid-cycle update in 2020. It remains a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, and Audi A8, though its presence in the UK has officially come to an end.
