Lexus (Possibly) Says Goodbye to the LS with Special Heritage Edition for 2026

To celebrate 36 years of the LS name, Lexus will release a special Heritage Edition trim that will be limited to just five units in Canada.

The 2026 Lexus LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition will feature a special fully blacked out exterior with a new colour called Ninety Noir, a nod to the original LS, which first hit the road in 1990. The exterior trim on the doors and grille will also be blacked out. To further distinguish the exterior of the Heritage Edition, it will come with 20-inch split spoke wheels that feature a black metallic finish.

On the inside, the Heritage Edition will feature an exclusive Rioja Red for the leather seats and door panels, as well as special embroidery on the headrests. Meanwhile, the dashboard will feature black wood trim with a new pattern for the LS. To highlight the limited production of this trim, a special Heritage Edition emblem in the center console.

The Lexus LS launched for the 1990 model year as the flagship model to introduce the Lexus brand. It has spanned over five generations and has been renowned, cementing the Lexus brand’s reputation for reliability and luxury. 

However, in recent years, the LS has been selling very poorly, just like all large luxury sedans. While Lexus has not officially announced that the LS will be discontinued, rumours have been swirling foretelling of its demise. In a release announcing the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition, the brand described the limited edition model as a "final year tribute to the car that launched the brand."

Indeed, the current model is nearly eight years old, and debuted for the 2018 model year and Lexus has already pulled the LS from the UK market due to poor sales. The launch of this Heritage Edition model, may be a swan song for the model that helped Lexus earn its reputation.