Lexus LS400 is the Japanese Mercedes that's a guaranteed future classic

David Ross, Editor
Fri, 24 Apr 2026

Building a brand from scratch has never been easy, especially when you’re trying to crack the luxury saloon market typically dominated by European brands.

But trying to sell an upscale Toyota when your key rivals wear the blue and white propeller badge or a three-pointed star is even harder still. Which is why the Japanese giant decided to create a new brand in the early 1980s. And thus Lexus was born.

If you could sum up the Lexus LS400 in a single phrase, it would be ‘attention to detail’. Toyota took six years and spent more than a billion dollars to create the LS400 going to extraordinary lengths to ensure it was the quietest, most refined and smoothest car in the class.

The 4.0-litre V8 was a brand-new design, with tightened manufacturing tolerances, supported by hydraulic engine mounts and canted towards the rear at an angle to remove vibrations through the driveshaft. Lexus demonstrated the results by balancing champagne glasses on the engine block while revving it up. And it applied this borderline-obsessive approach to the rest of the car.

The design team spent two years looking at wood and leather samples to get the right look, texture and durability — California walnut was eventually selected and they got piano-maker Yamaha to make it. The paint was specially formulated to resist fading, the bodyshell had additional layers in places for greater refinement and the instruments used electro-luminiscent technology to provide a clear view while reducing eye strain.

At the time, much of the motoring media were unconvinced that a Japanese manufacturer could compete with the premium European competition and their decades of luxury car heritage. At least until they drove it.

The silken V8 and electronically-controlled auto gearbox provided smooth, effortless acceleration and effortless cruising, while the dedication to removing unwanted noises meant it was significantly quieter than all its rivals at motorway speeds.

No, the LS400 was not a thrilling drive — a Jaguar XJ or BMW 7 Series would be more fun on a twisty road - but few buyers of luxury saloons would be hurling them across their nearest B-road.

The LS400 put the Lexus brand on the map, gave its competitors a serious fright and for buyers thoughtful enough to look beyond the badge, gave them an option that provided a level of refinement and discretion not available anywhere else. Lexus didn’t stop there either. An update to the first generation version in 1992 ushered in 1700 improvements and there have been a further four generations since.

Today the first generation cars are relatively rare. And while more recent versions are easy to find and offer a similar driving experience, it’s the original that is arguably most worthy of preservation. Toyota’s dedication to making it a brilliant car from the outset pays dividends when it comes to buying one approaching thirty years old.

Unsurprisingly the LS400 is as close to bulletproof as you’re going to get. There are a few points to look out for, but nothing that should send shivers directly from your spine to your wallet. Regular cambelt changes are a must but the 60,000 mile interval isn’t horrific.

Power steering pumps can leak which can cause issues with other components nearby. And while most of the electronics are sturdy, some secondary interior displays can fail with age. Fortunately replacements are available.

Prices for good examples are also surprisingly reasonable. It took us less than two minutes to find a pair of early to mid 1990s examples for less than £12,000 with very reasonable mileages. Cheaper and scruffier examples are out there, but be prepared to spend time and money bringing one back to its best - with a luxury car like this it’s worth sourcing quality components to ensure you get the proper experience.

Today Lexus has rightfully earned its place as a premium car brand producing refined, comfortable and appealing cars. The LS400 deserves recognition as the beginning of this success story.