Used Lexus LS for Sale nearSanta Cruz, CA

How much does the Lexus LS cost in today's market?

Used Lexus LS prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Lexus LS's current nationwide average price is $24,399, and over the past year that nationwide average reached a low of $17,994. Recently, prices have eased on the 2018 models, while other recent model years have held firm or risen.

Is the Lexus LS a good car?

Yes — the Lexus LS has a strong reputation for luxury, comfort, and smooth performance, and owners consistently respond well to its quiet cabin and refined driving experience. The all-generations owner rating is 4.72/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners repeatedly praise the LS for its luxurious feel, comfortable interior, and smooth ride, along with its elegant cabin and strong performance. The model also earns recurring approval for reliability and durability, which helps reinforce its appeal as a long-term luxury sedan.

Expert reviews rate the 2018 model among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs center on polarizing design and technology that can feel unintuitive, even as the LS delivers strong comfort and performance. 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Lexus LS models reliable?

The Lexus LS is widely praised for its quiet cabin, smooth ride, and durable, well-built character, and owners consistently rate it highly across the lineup. Expert feedback also reinforces the LS’s reputation for comfort, premium materials, and long-distance refinement.

• Owners rate the Lexus LS between 4.62 and 5.0 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, the biggest long-term ownership risk tends to come from maintenance and repair costs on older luxury sedans, so a careful service-history check matters.

What should I look for when buying a used Lexus LS?

Across all model years, at 63.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

Older model years carry meaningfully higher accident rates, so always verify the vehicle history report on pre-2020 models.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: Lexus Safety System+ with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high beams.
• Infotainment: Lexus Concierge, an onboard owner’s manual with videos, 360-degree cameras, custom navigation routes, and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson stereo.
• Fuel efficiency: Fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg city and an impressive 30 mpg highway for RWD models. The AWD version knocks this down to 18/27, while the hybrid injects significant gains at 25/33 (RWD) and 23/31 (AWD).

Which Lexus LS trim should I buy?

The 2018 Lexus LS offers these trims:

• LS 500: The core choice, with the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6, 10-speed automatic, and either rear- or all-wheel drive; it suits buyers who want the LS’s main luxury-and-performance balance.
• LS 500 F Sport: The best-value pick for drivers who want the sharpest handling, with rear-axle steering, active stabilizer bars, staggered summer tires, variable-ratio steering, adaptive air suspension, and stiffer tuning.
• LS 500h: The hybrid choice, with two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery, and 354 combined horsepower for buyers who want the electrified powertrain.

What Lexus LS do most buyers choose?

The Lexus LS years with the most listings are 2014, 2017, and 2018.

The highest-volume years tend to be the most visible choices because they give you more inventory to compare and more chances to find the right color, mileage, and price. They also often sit in the sweet spot between newer features and older-model affordability.

What is the Lexus LS's resale value?

The table shows mixed movement, with one recent year easing while the others are rising. That pattern suggests some used LS models are becoming a bit more accessible, while others are still commanding stronger prices. For shoppers, that creates opportunities in the years that have softened without changing the fact that newer examples can still carry a premium.

The 2022, 2015, and 2014 model years have held their value best, with prices flat to rising year-over-year.

Is the Lexus LS safe?

• 2018: 9/10

For the safest used buy, the 2018 model posts the highest confirmed score of 9/10.

Should I buy a used Lexus LS now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2018 model is at −3.18% versus a year ago.
• Deal availability: The 2018 model has 34.8% good and great deals.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2014 model has the most listings at a current average price of $20,189. The Lexus LS offers a serene cabin, premium materials, and the kind of quiet, polished luxury that has defined the nameplate for years.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The LS 500 comes with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the LS 500h is a gas-electric hybrid with two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery, and 354 combined horsepower.
• Tech: Lexus Concierge, an onboard owner’s manual with videos, 360-degree cameras, custom navigation routes, and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson stereo.
• Safety: Lexus Safety System+ comes standard with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high beams.
• Starting price: The $75,000 base price offers a lot of amenities.

If you're buying used today, the 2014 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for the next model year's inventory to build up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.