Does the Lexus LS 500 F Sport Need a V8 to Succeed?

The Lexus LS 500 F Sport is a beautiful, aggressive, and luxurious ride. There’s just one big elephant under the hood.

No one can deny that the all-new Lexus LS is a quantum leap forward over its predecessor. It has an award-winning interior, bold styling, and amazing technology. It’s one of the more advanced large luxury four-doors on the market, period. Yet one big sticking point for enthusiasts is what lies under the hood. Gone is the old 4.6-liter V8, replaced by a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6. But what about the more performance-oriented Lexus LS 500 F Sport? Can it make up for the lack of those two extra cylinders?

That’s a question that Gotta Be Mobile set out to answer in their recent review of the sporty sedan. But right off the bat, they point out that opting for the F Sport doesn’t net you more power. As for that 416 horse six-cylinder, they call it “strong,” but note that it’s “not as quick as the competition.” The presence of turbos causes some problems that aren’t present in a naturally-aspirated V8 as well. “There’s enough lag between pressing the pedal and the get up and go, that you’ll wonder what the F Sport is delivering.”

There are plenty of things they do like about the Lexus LS 500 F Sport, however. In comfort mode, it “delivers the smooth ride you expect, with plenty of power.” The large center screen is “beautiful to look at.” Exterior design is “aggressive and sporty,” with a “beautiful pronounced spindle grille and unique front end.” The inside? Well, they call it “stunning,” noting that “Lexus knocked it out of the park with a beautiful black leather interior and a Naguri Aluminum trim.” They also loved the smart cruise control and blind spot monitoring.

Thus, the 2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport is fantastic looking and comfortable, with unparalleled safety features and luxury. But that V6 elephant in the room just leaves folks wanting more. “Twin turbos can’t can’t make up for the lack of a V8,” GBM concludes. “The 2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport excels as a luxury sedan. But it’s not going to fill the role of a proper luxury performance sedan that comes with a V8 and more commitment to performance.”

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.