When Toyota launched its luxury LS brand to rival Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, it was an immediate shot across the bow of the German marques. The engineering behind the LS was executed with such precision that it not only overshadowed what Mercedes and its peers were producing but also elevated luxury motoring to heights previously unseen or unexpected for the era. Perhaps that moment was, in a way, a “tears in the rain” turning point for Lexus, because it spurred the German big three to raise their game.

The Lexus LS has always been a strong seller in the U.S., but in Europe, its presence barely registered on the radar. While the engineering is arguably superior—and significantly more reliable—than the Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series, LS sales in the U.S. have been in steady decline since 2014. By comparison, the S-Class has remained consistently strong. In 2024, Lexus sold 2,163 LS models in the U.S., compared to 8,810 S-Class units.

That means the economics no longer make sense, and Lexus has decided to pull the plug on the LS for good—36 years after it sprinted off the line like a rabbit, only to slow its pace enough for the German “tortoise” to catch up and take the lead. Its farewell comes in the form of the 2026 Lexus LS500 AWD Heritage Edition, limited to 250 units and priced at $100,730.

Finished in Ninety Noir with unique 20-inch wheels, the edition debuts a Rioja Red interior accented by Laser Special Black wood, brushed aluminium, and a panoramic glass roof wrapped in Ultrasuede. A Heritage Edition emblem marks the occasion, while amenities include heated seating, a 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, and advanced driver-assist tech.

Powered by a 416-hp twin-turbo V-6 and 10-speed automatic, the Heritage Edition closes the chapter on a model that once redefined luxury by offering refinement, performance, and craftsmanship at half the price of European rivals.