Lexus LS saloon - MPG, running costs & CO2

The Lexus LS 500h doesn't exactly offer an up-front incentive for buyers – the entry-level version costs some £15,000 more than the cheapest Audi A8. There's a good chance of recouping a big chunk of your investment when it comes time to sell, though, as Lexus predicts that its flagship saloon will retain just over half of its value after three years on the road.

Lexus LS 500h MPG & CO2

Where the Lexus struggles to compete with rivals is in fuel economy and emissions. The lack of a diesel or plug-in hybrid model will limit its appeal among those who cover a high annual mileage.

In four-wheel-drive Takumi form the LS 500h is claimed to return just 29.7mpg. This is a respectable figure for such a large car fuelled with petrol, but can't come close to an A8 diesel's 40.4mpg. The Lexus’s high CO2 emissions rating of 214g/km means it is in the top Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rating for company-car users, too.

Owing to reduced weight and mechanical drag, rear-wheel-drive versions use a little less fuel, returning up to 35.3mpg, but CO2 emissions from 182g/km still place it in the highest BiK band.

With a price tag comfortably above £40,000, every LS 500h will cost the maximum amount in VED (road tax) for each of the first five years after its registration, reverting to the slightly discounted rate for hybrid models from its sixth birthday onwards.

Insurance

The Lexus won't be a cheap car to insure by any means. Versions in the entry LS and F Sport trims are positioned in group 49, while the Takumi range-topper is in the highest group 50. However, rival models are rated in at least group 49. It's always worth seeking an insurance quote before you make a decision to buy.

Servicing

Servicing costs for the Lexus LS 500h are on the high side, a point expressed by owner comments in our Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. Service appointments are due every 10,000 miles. Fortunately, a service contract can be arranged to help spread the cost of servicing. Be aware that consumable items, such as brake components and tyres, are likely to be expensive on such a large, heavy car.

Warranty

Every Lexus sold in the UK is covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, although hybrid components are covered for five years/60,000 miles. This warranty can also be extended by a further 12 months/10,000 miles for no additional cost each time the car is serviced by Lexus, potentially extending its cover for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles.