This Japanese Hybrid V-8 Sleeper Is Now Cheaper Than A New Corolla

In the car world, there are currently five platforms: non-electric (ICE), hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and hydrogen-powered (FCEV). If you look back throughout automotive history, you’ll see some spunky cars that weren’t designed or engineered around the norms. FCEVs are still new to the automotive industry and look to be in their trial-and-error phase. Traditional non-electric cars have had crazy designs since the early 1900s. Then you have EVs, notorious for some bold or funny designs throughout the years, where there are too many to count. When it comes to hybrids, both HEVs and PHEVs, they are a bit more modest, with not too many crazy builds.

HEVs are the closest electrified platform you can buy that will feel like a non-electric vehicle. The main difference is that hybrids utilize a small battery to let them go the extra mile and offer better efficiency. It’s not too different from non-electric vehicles, which is the main reason you never really saw any crazy models arise over the years. While there aren’t too many hybrids that shook up the industry with unusual designs, a couple did things differently regarding mechanics. There’s one early 2000s Japanese hybrid that did something that no one had done before: slap a hybrid battery on a V-8 engine. It doesn’t get any more unique than that, and the good news is that it comes with a discounted price tag and is one of the biggest sleepers in automotive history.

You Can Pick Up A Fourth-Generation Lexus LS Hybrid For Under $20,000

Note: Pictures Are Of A 2008 Lexus LS Hybrid (Launch Edition/fourth Generation)

The early years of the Lexus LS 600h may not fit the bill as being crazy or funny-looking, but it did go a different route than all the other automotive manufacturers in the hybrid industry. The LS had been around since 1990 but didn’t receive a hybrid engine until nearly 20 years later. Without getting too far into why the LS Hybrid is different from other hybrids, it’s best to cover just how much this bad boy costs. You were promised a Japanese hybrid sleeper with a V-8 engine that sits below the price of a new Toyota Corolla.

Lexus LS Hybrid Used Prices

A 2025 Corolla starts at $22,325, and may not seem like a lot of money to work with. No worries there, because the first year on the LS Hybrid now carries a used price of $9,695. For the later years, from 2010 to 2012, the LS Hybrid sits in the price range of $13,363 to $18,870. Then you have the 2013 model, which is nearly $1,000 more than a new Corolla, but you’ll see why it should be included with the others.

Lexus Gave The Fourth Generation LS 600h Multiple Facelifts

Before diving into the breakdown of the Lexus LS 600h, there’s one area to cover that will clear up some confusion. For starters, there are multiple years on the LS Hybrid that cost less than a new Corolla. Even though the 2013 cost a little more than a new Corolla, it should still be looked at since it will depreciate even more at the end of the year, likely falling under the price of the Corolla. The issue or confusing part that may arise is that there are three variations to look at. From 2008 to 2015, the Lexus LS Hybrid was in its fourth generation.

You’ll be looking at 2008 to 2013, but it may get a bit dicey due to Lexus giving it two facelifts. They aren’t drastic changes, but it’s worth mentioning that three iterations of the Lexus LS Hybrid sit near or below the new Corolla’s MSRP. For further explanation, 2008 to 2009 were the first designs, then 2010 to 2012 was the first facelift, and then the last facelift was for 2013 to 2015. The good news is that the performance doesn’t change and mostly revolves around designs.

A History Lesson On Lexus’ First V-8 Hybrid Engine

The Lexus LS Hybrid wasn’t just some cool hybrid that sported a V-8 engine. Well, it was, but there’s more to it. The LS Hybrid was the first mass-produced hybrid to run on a V-8 engine. In today’s world, you don’t really see that, with some of the more high-performance models, like the Tundra Hybrid, utilizing a V-6 powertrain with some turbochargers. You may be asking yourself, “Who would think it’s a bright idea to put together a V-8 hybrid engine?” and you have to consider that these were still the early stages of the hybrid industry.

Eight years prior to the release of the LS Hybrid, Honda and Toyota debuted the first mass-produced hybrids, the Insight and Prius. Lexus hadn’t come into the hybrid game until 2006 with the RX Hybrid. Skip forward two years, and Lexus released the LS with a V8 hybrid engine. No one is saying it was right or wrong or smart or dumb, but you now have this sleeper of a hybrid that’s like no other, and is 100-percent cool.

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The 2007 To 2016 Lexus LS 600h L Runs On A 5.0-liter V-8 Hybrid Engine

Note: Pictures Are Of A 2010-2012 Lexus LS Hybrid (fourth Generation; first Facelift)

Onto the center point of the Lexus LS Hybrid: the V8 hybrid engine. As mentioned above, Lexus revamped the LS Hybrid a couple of times, but the powertrain stayed relatively the same. From 2008 to 2015, the LS Hybrid was powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 hybrid engine. This system delivered an impressive 438 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. The LS Hybrid utilizes an eight-speed automatic, continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Lexus LS Hybrid Performance Specifications (2008-2015)

Lexus only offered it in all-wheel drive and could complete a 0-60 mph sprint in 5.5 seconds. That might not seem like much in today’s world, but the LS Hybrid was a big boy. This sedan was built around luxury and is comparable to the BMW 7 Series. So, if you take a heavy luxury sedan that accomplishes a 0-60 sprint in 5.5 seconds, it’s quite impressive, especially for 2008. Ironically enough, the $116,560 2025 Lexus LS Hybrid is barely quicker, accomplishing it in 5.2 seconds. That may be due to its lack of a cool V-8 hybrid engine.

Fuel Efficiency Wasn’t Its Strongest Suit

One of the biggest downsides to the Lexus LS Hybrid is its efficiency. In the automotive world today, hybrids that are inefficient won’t last long or do well in sales. Of course, you have to put yourself in the shoes of the engineers back in the early 2000s, who were still learning the ins and outs of hybrid systems. Still, Lexus had over seven years to try and make it more efficient, and funny enough, it got worse for later iterations.

Lexus LS Hybrid Fuel Economy And Range (2008-2015)

The 2008 to 2012 Lexus LS Hybrid were years that were a part of the first design (2008-2009) and first facelift (2010-2012). The first two years offered 20 MPG in the city, 22 MPG on the highway, and a combined 21 MPG. For its maximum driving range, it came out to 466 miles. When it came to the second facelift (2013-2015), which carried the same powertrain and performance, it dropped slightly in both efficiency and range.

From 2013 to 2015, the LS 600h offered 19 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on the highway, 20 MPG overall, and a driving range of 444 miles. The later years weren’t drastically worse, but it’s ironic that the LS Hybrid became less efficient in both fuel economy and range over the years.

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How Does The Interior And Technology Compare To Today’s Standards?

Note: Pictures Are Of A 2013-2015 Lexus LS Hybrid (fourth Generation; second Facelift)

The earlier note about confusion was brought up, and while things have been smooth so far, it’s the design, features, and technology that may lose you. This is practically expected because, instead of Lexus debuting a new generation, they kept updating the features of the LS 600h around the same hybrid engine that debuted in 2008. Jumping straight to the point, from 2008 to 2015, would the features and technology bear well in today’s standard? The honest answer is no.

Of course, it all comes down to personal preference, and this isn’t a car that you’d buy for your significant other, to be a reliable daily car that offers practicality and usability. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth picking up. This sedan is amazing for car enthusiasts who want something unique and like no other. Many people love the early 2000s designs of luxury vehicles, and the early Lexus LS Hybrid encapsulates all those characteristics.

You’ll Get Better Features And Designs In The Later Years, But It Comes At A Cost

So, you have three iterations of the fourth-generation Lexus LS Hybrid, with differences pertaining to tech upgrades, exterior restyling, and updated standard features. As you could expect, the 2008 to 2009 models will be the most outdated years, but also the more affordable options. The first facelift (2010-2012) pulls in some exciting features, but, as expected, will cost more. Some of the impressive features include the 19-speaker 450-watt Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound audio system. Get this; it also offers a USB port that allows for iPod connectivity.

As the LS Hybrid shows some outdated features, it still sports some innovative ones that have aged well over the years. The LS 600h offered an Advanced Parking Guidance System (APGS), which assisted with parallel parking. The luxury themes are still relevant, with the Premium Package II offering lumbar massage for the front seats, a ceiling-mounted nine-inch DVD screen, reclining rear seats, and much more.

Other interior side features include the leather-trimmed upholstery and Alcantara headliner. There is plenty to explore on all models, and this is only over the 2010 to 2012 Lexus LS Hybrid. Due to the quick depreciation around these years, it’s only a matter of time before the second facelift LS Hybrid is cheaper than a new Corolla.

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The Lexus LS Hybrid Is The Ultimate Hybrid Sleeper

Like any luxury vehicle, there is much to explore, and it is nearly impossible to uncover it all. That’s one of the best parts when buying a new or used vehicle: touching all the nooks and crannies to see all it has to offer. Yes, the earlier years on the LS 600h are more affordable than a new Corolla, but it’s unlikely for someone to be put in the situation to decide between the two. They are almost at opposite ends of design and engineering, but it’s a nice reference point to know that this $100,000 hybrid is now sitting in the $10,000 to $20,000 region.