2021 Lexus LS updated, but will it be popular enough to speed up behind you?

The Lexus LS, Toyota’s full-size luxury sedan, is still around, lest you forgot about it with the big-nostrilled BMW 7-Series taking up the limelight and the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class around the corner. Lexus has gone ahead and given the 2021 Lexus LS a bit more tech to stay relevant. And yes, it finally gets a touchscreen.

There are no drastic updates in terms of the looks. But the sedan’s design looks sharp enough for maybe another couple of years. The 2021 model gets changes in the headlamps in the form of an adaptive high-beam system. The bumpers are slightly tweaked as well, but you will need to do some digging to find the changes. The large spindle grille of the new LS now hosts a large radar sensor as well as its dedicated washer. The tail-light graphics have also received a mild treatment and there are new alloy wheel designs to choose from.

In the time and age where budget hatchbacks come with a touchscreen tacked on the dashboard, the Lexus LS was quite an odd-ball with the track-pad controlled screen. But with this update, Lexus has solved that issue with the addition of a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen in an iPad-style format, complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus has also changed the trim at places to increase the opulence inside the cabin.

The major focus during the development of the 2021 Lexus LS might have been improving the very characteristic that sets all Lexuses apart — ride quality. Tweaks have been made to the adaptive suspension to improve the smoothness of the ride. The stabiliser bars and engine mounts also get revised for the same cause. Even the seats are updated with more comfortable padding to better absorb vibrations. Active Noise Control and Engine Sound Enhancement systems help in reducing noise seeping into the cabin.

Lexus has also made some changes under the bonnet. The Non-hybrid LS500 gets more low-end torque for better acceleration. The hybrid system of the LS500h is reprogrammed to kick in earlier and more often for the same result.

Another area where Lexus has spent time on is the driver assistance systems, bundled together under the name Lexus Teammate. It includes an automatic Park Assist System to help you park with ease by controlling acceleration, gears, braking and steering. Another feature helps you hold your lane on a highway and maintain your pace, relative to the traffic around you. The Lexus Teammate system is expected to grow over time through software updates.

The 2021 Lexus LS will debut in Japan by the end of 2020. All international markets will get the new sedan only in 2021. With the death of the outdated Lexus GS announced and the sleek-looking Lexus ES diluting the brand with its exclusive use as an Uber favourite, the LS will continue to be a near non-existent player in the luxury segment. You can still see the LS400s and LS430s in far greater numbers, reminding you of its past dominance in this region.