How do you say goodbye to a legend?

In 1989, Toyota shocked the world by introducing a revolutionary vehicle that caught the old guard of luxury auto manufacturers sleeping at the wheel. The Lexus LS400 not only helped launch the Lexus brand but also served as the flagship sedan that prompted luxury rivals like Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW to return to the drawing board.

However, not all things last forever. In the past few years, the sales numbers of popular luxury automakers, including Lexus's German and American rivals, have reflected a shift in tastes from flagship sedans to crossover and full-size SUVs. In 2024, Lexus U.S. sales figures showed that the sales figures of its top-selling sedan, the ES, amounted to about a third of its bestseller, the RX crossover.

After more than 36 years in service as the groundbreaking Japanese luxury brand's flagship sedan, Lexus announced in a short announcement on September 26 that it is bidding farewell to the LS sedan, with the 2026 model year being its very last.

The Heritage Edition is the Lexus LS's curtain call

But before it takes the floor for its last dance, Lexus is sending off the LS with a limited edition version that celebrates the “craftsmanship, innovation, and passion” that Lexus engineers have given it throughout its journey over the past decades. For 2026, the LS Heritage Edition is Lexus’s fitting tribute that rightfully pays homage to the original. Per Lexus, just 250 units will be made for the U.S. market. Pricing starts at $99,280 with destination fees included, and the car will arrive at dealers later in the fall.

Lexus says that the Heritage Edition will be the only LS 500 available for purchase, though it is a “thoughtfully curated, mono spec model with elevated style and substance.” The only color it will come in is a new color called Ninety Noir, “a deep, sophisticated black” that blends seamlessly with the dark exterior trim pieces. In addition, Lexus has also fitted it with a set of 20-inch split-20-spoke alloy wheels finished in Dark Gray Metallic, which also incorporate noise-reduction technology for a quieter ride.

Though Lexus has given the exterior some fairly muted details, the brand is sending a bold statement through its interior in a way that ensures the LS’s last hurrah is a fairly stylish goodbye. For the first (and unfortunately very last) time in the LS's history, the Heritage Edition is finished in Rioja Red, which serves as a bold contrast to its otherwise buttoned-up appearance. Since it is the Heritage Edition, this limited edition model also gets some distinct special touches in the cabin, including an etched Heritage Edition emblem on the center console, as well as silhouettes of the LS embroidered on the headrests.

These features complement a long list of standard equipment that includes opulent features like a panoramic glass roof, Panoramic View Monitor, and a premium Laser Special Black wood trim that evokes Benz’s Flowing Lines lacquer. In addition, the headliner and sun visors are finished in Ultrasuede, while passengers can also enjoy heated rear seats and power lift-up buckles. Advanced Park also comes standard, as well as a 23-speaker, 2,400-watt Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound system.

Though it may not be the V8s of the LS’s yore, under the hood of the LS Heritage Edition is the same 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V6 offered on the standard LS 500. It offers 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic and an all-wheel-drive system that also employs a limited-slip differential, making it good for 0-60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds.

Final thoughts

While it is sad to see the Lexus LS go, the decision reflects a shift in consumer preferences that Toyota is willing to cash in entirely on. In March 1998, Lexus introduced the RX in the United States, a vehicle that many consider to be the first luxury crossover SUV, and continues to win over a dedicated customer base to the brand. The bitter truth is that in 2024, Lexus sold 118,636 RXs in the States, while it sold just 2,163 LS sedans. Furthermore, the numbers show that LS sales made up just 0.62% of the 345,669 cars Lexus sold in the U.S.

I have a bit of a soft spot for the Lexus LS. The Heritage Edition's look with its black paint, to me, is an homage to the LS in the 1990 commercial that introduced the Lexus brand to American consumers, specifically the one with the champagne glasses on its hood.