Lexus USA is sending off the LS with the Heritage Edition

What exactly is happening with the sedan market in the United States? We’re seeing nameplates get killed off left and right, and now, Lexus USA is sending off its flagship LS 500 luxury sedan with a special limited homage model.

Now, before you think that the model is being killed off as a whole, Lexus Japan actually announced a very, very minor refresh for 2026, but most of the changes are targeted to the F Sport variant, with two new colors (White Nova Glass Flake and Deep Blue Mica), red brake calipers with a silver logo, and heated front and rear seats have become standard.

Now, going back to the other side of the world, the United States is saying that the 2026 LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition is part of its final year tribute to the car that launched the brand. Only 250 units of this car will be produced, and it sets itself apart from your typical special editions with unique accouterments.

This is the first time that Lexus will be offering the Ninety Noir color, a deep, lustrous black that also comes with blacked-out exterior trimmings, with the only hints of chrome left found on the badges and window trim. This is accompanied by special dark gray 20-inch, 20-split-spoke alloy wheels fitted with noise-reduction technology.

The interior also gets upholstered in Rioja Red, with Laser Special Black premium wood trimming and an Ultrasuede-trimmed headliner, with a panoramic glass roof to brighten up the cabin.

There is also a special LS Heritage Edition emblem on the center console and headrests, plus other luxury touches like heated rear seats, power retractable seatbelt buckles, a full suite of safety systems with self-parking, and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Surround System mated to a 12.3-inch touchscreen.

Other than that, it still has the same 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V6 with 416 horsepower and 599Nm of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that sends it to all four wheels. For fans of the LS in other parts of the world, they can rest easy, as the model will still be sold, but for those living in the US, it looks like market preferences are dictating the automotive industry’s direction for future models.

^{Photos from Lexus}