The LS isn’t just Lexus’s flagship sedan; it’s the definitive flagship sedan. When the first models debuted a few decades ago, the level of refinement and engineering put Lexus on the map as a serious contender in the luxury space. The car entered its fifth generation in 2017 and carries over into 2022 without any changes. The LS’s segment is packed with heavy-hitting cars from Europe: The Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and many others all have their sights set on the LS’s back.

Lexus offers the LS in two configurations: LS500 and LS500 F Sport. Pricing starts at $77,075 for the LS500 and $80,675 for the F Sport model. Though the F Sport model adds several aggressive styling and appearance upgrades to the LS, its underlying tech and powertrain are the same. As some might find the bold interior colors and ultra-sharp exterior style to be at odds with the LS’s luxurious, laid-back attitude, the choice to upgrade should be made entirely based on styling.

Both cars are powered by the same twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 that produces 416 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive and a ten-speed automatic transmission are both standard. Though Lexus moved away from the big V8s that powered the initial LS cars, the twin-turbo V6 is every bit as smooth and refined as the engines with two additional cylinders. The LS’s calling card has always been smoothness (remember the champagne glass commercial from so many years ago?), and this newer, sleeker car offers a silky ride with plenty of power waiting under the driver’s right foot.

Standard features for the 2022 LS include 19-inch wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an automatic door-closing system, a power moonroof, a hands-free trunk with power open and close, a heated leather-trimmed steering wheel, 16-way power adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate controls, a power rear sunshade, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a full suite of advanced driver aids.

Lexus moved away from the annoying touchpad setup that plagued previous LS models to a more intuitive and responsive touchscreen. The brand, along with its corporate parent, Toyota, has been slow to adopt Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but they’re both present here alongside Amazon Alexa functionality. Owners can interact with the system through voice commands, but their functionality is limited to a narrow set of controls.

Lexus gives every LS its Safety System+ 2.5, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alerts with steering assist, road-sign assist, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. The LS saw its last crash test in 2017, when it earned “Good” scores in limited testing performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not rated the new LS.