Lexus LS 500 vs. Tesla Model S
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus LS 500 and Tesla Model S contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Lexus LS 500 and the Tesla Model S.
In comparing the Lexus LS 500's and the Tesla Model S's specifications and ratings, the Lexus LS 500 has the advantage in the area of resale value. The Tesla Model S has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Lexus LS 500's and the Tesla Model S's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model S is a better car than the Lexus LS 500.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus LS 500 loses 47.8 percent of its value and the Tesla Model S loses 59.5 percent of its value. This means the Lexus LS 500 retains 11.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model S.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Lexus LS 500 is 7.8 out of 10 while the Tesla Model S's quality rating is 8.1 out of 10. This results in the Lexus LS 500 being ranked 4 out of 24 Best Luxury Large Cars and the Tesla Model S being ranked 2 out of 26 Best Electric Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Lexus LS 500 is 8.1 out of 10. For the Tesla Model S the reliability rating is 9.4 out of 10. This gives the Tesla Model S an advantage in reliability compared to the Lexus LS 500.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus LS 500’s base engine makes 416 horsepower, and the Tesla Model S base engine makes 670 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Tesla Model S, a electric large car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Lexus LS 500, a large car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$82,628 - $106,141
Starting MSRP:
$79,335
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$103,524
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$72,000 - $139,000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$72,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$93,498
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$72,990 - $105,700
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$117,939
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$86,308 - $151,025
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
13
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,775
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$125,386
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
$124,695 - $126,077
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$38,425
Depreciation %:
48.4%
Resale Value $:
$40,910
Residual Value %:
51.6%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Large Cars)
55.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
46.2% - 65.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$44,144
Depreciation %:
60.5%
Resale Value $:
$28,846
Residual Value %:
39.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
60.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
60.5% - 73.8%
Lexus LS 500 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Tesla Model S Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
9.4 / 10
Retained Value:
6.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus LS 500
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
13.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large Cars)
10.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
7.7 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
50%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model S
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
0.8 - 30.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
67.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
37.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Large Cars)
3.2 - 67.5
Lexus LS 500 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 24Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
19 out of / 24Tesla Model S Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
15 out of / 26Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Lexus LS 500 Trim Levels
Base, F SPORT
Tesla Model S Trim Levels
Base, Plaid
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 150000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
416 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
442 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.089 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
670 hp
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.147 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity :
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
402 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity:
100 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
15 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
17 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
28.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
120.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4696 lbs
Width:
74.8 inches
Height:
57.5 inches
Length:
206.1 inches
Wheelbase:
123 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4560 lbs
Width:
86.2 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
197.7 inches
Wheelbase:
116.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/50R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Caviar / Obsidian
Blue
Nightfall Mica
Gray
Manganese Luster
Red
Matador Red Mica
Silver
Atomic Silver / Iridium / Silver Illusion
White
Eminent White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Red
Ultra Red
Silver
Not available
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Interior Colors
Beige
Palomino w/ Artwood Organic Gloss Trim / Palomino w/ Brown Open-Pore Walnut Trim
Black
Black w/ Artwood Organic Gloss Trim / Black w/ Black Open-Pore Wood Trim / Black w/ Haku Trim / Black w/ Kiriko Glass Trim
Gray
Chateau w/ Artwood Herringbone Trim / Chateau w/ Black Open-Pore Wood Trim
White
White w/ Artwood Herringbone Trim / White w/ Laser Special Black Trim
Interior Colors
Beige
Cream
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
White
Black and White
