2020 Lexus LS
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $70,435–$92,163 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2020 Lexus LS is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 8.0/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.8/10, while Safety at 7.5/10 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 stands out at 8.8/10. The LS nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 7.5/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.8/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sedans to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.5/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $70,435–$92,163, 20 MPG, seating 5, the Lexus LS sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.3/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2020 Lexus LS will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
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 2020 Lexus LS ranks #201 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 85% of the segment. Its 8.0/10 overall score is 0.5 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $70,435 starting price is about 155% 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 2017 Lexus LS scores 7.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 8.0 — 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 (this review) | 8.0/10 | $70,435 | |
| 2019 | 7.8/10 | $68,034 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.7/10 | $65,632 | Read review → |
| 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 campaign has 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.
| 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 2020 Lexus LS's reliability 8.8/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 8.0/10 overall, ranking #201 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 85% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2020 Lexus LS starts at $70,435 and ranges up to $92,163 across trims (MSRP when new). At 20 MPG, expect roughly $2,625/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Lexus models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.