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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $65,632–$79,556 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.7/10, the 2018 Lexus LS earns a Recommended rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.1/10, while Performance at 6.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.6/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.7/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.7/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $65,632–$79,556, 18 MPG, seating 5, the Lexus LS sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. The 8.1/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this sedan delivers more than most of the class. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: Think of the 2018 Lexus LS as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in performance are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Lexus LS ranks #428 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 67% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $65,632 starting price is about 137% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Lexus LS scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.7 — and starts roughly $7,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.0/10 | $82,441 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $82,441 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.1/10 | $80,040 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.0/10 | $77,638 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.0/10 | $75,237 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.0/10 | $72,836 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.0/10 | $70,435 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.8/10 | $68,034 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $65,632 | |
| 2017 | 7.7/10 | $63,231 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $60,830 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.6/10 | $58,429 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Tires / Sidewall 27/02/2019 · 19V134000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Lexus LS vehicles equipped with run-flat tires with a sidewall reinforcement layer inside the tire. The tire-on-wheel assembly process may have caused the reinforcement layer to… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger 17/04/2024 · 24V275000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2018 Lexus LS's reliability 7.6/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.7/10 overall, ranking #428 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 67% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2018 Lexus LS starts at $65,632 and ranges up to $79,556 across trims (MSRP when new). At 18 MPG, expect roughly $2,917/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Lexus models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.