The $135,000 Lexus Hybrid That Now Sells for Camry Prices

Back in 2013, Lexus decided to build something unusual: a V8 hybrid luxury sedan that cost more than most Porsche 911s. The LS 600h L was a massive, all-wheel-drive flagship that weighed as much as a large SUV and carried a starting price around $120,000, optioned examples could hit $135,000.

Fast forward to today, and you can find a well-kept 2013 model for roughly the same money as a new Toyota Camry, making it one of the strangest used luxury bargains on the market.

0-liter V8 with two electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, creating a hybrid system that delivered 438 total horsepower. The car used a continuously variable transmission with a two-stage planetary gear system, nothing like the rubber-band CVTs in economy cars.

Lexus also gave it full-time all-wheel drive with a Torsen limited-slip center differential. The goal was to prove that hybrid power could work in a top-tier executive sedan, and it put the LS 600h L in the same conversation as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series.

Inside, the optional Executive-Class Seating package turned the rear cabin into a first-class experience. The right rear seat sat diagonally opposite the driver, with four individual seats instead of the usual five. Rear passengers got reclining seats with massage, an ottoman, a wood-trimmed table, wireless headphones, and a climate system that used infrared sensors to measure body temperature and adjust airflow.

Lexus focused heavily on noise isolation, and the hybrid system allowed the car to move on electric power in stop-and-go traffic, adding another layer of quiet.

But the LS 600h L had problems. 5-second zero-to-60 time often stretched to over six seconds in real-world tests. Fuel economy came in at 20 MPG combined, respectable for a big luxury sedan, but not enough to make a strong environmental case. Depreciation hit hard, and today’s bargain price comes with a catch: repair costs remain those of a $135,000 car.

Replacing the hybrid battery can run nearly $7,000, and fixing the air suspension could cost $5,000 or more. Buyers should look for documented battery health, a clean service history, and evidence of specialist maintenance. If you find the right one, you’ll own a forgotten flagship with serious engineering, just respect the math.