Compare the2026 Rolls-Royce SpectreVS 2026 Lexus LS

Both the Spectre and the LS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Rolls-Royce Spectre weighs 1538 pounds more than the Lexus LS. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Spectre comes with a full 4-year/unlimited-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The LS’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires sooner.

Rolls-Royce pays for scheduled maintenance on the Spectre for 3 years and unlimited miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the LS (4/unlimited vs. 1/10,000).

The Spectre’s standard electric motors produces 161 more horsepower (577 vs. 416) and 222 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6. The Black Badge Spectre’s standard electric motors produces 243 more horsepower (659 vs. 416) and 350 lbs.-ft. more torque (792 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Rolls-Royce Spectre (base engine) is faster than the Lexus LS:

On the EPA test cycle the Spectre gets better mileage than the LS:

The Spectre can travel with zero emissions for 251 to 277 miles (dependent on model). The LS can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Spectre’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LS doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Spectre, as a pure battery electric vehicle, has no need to “idle” its motors in traffic: they only burn power when moving. The Spectre’s climate control systems still work completely when the vehicle is stopped. The LS still runs its internal combustion engine whenever it’s stopped, burning excess fuel.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Rolls-Royce Spectre higher (10 out of 10) than the Lexus LS (4). This means the Spectre produces up to 25 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the LS every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Spectre’s brake rotors are larger than those on the LS:

The Spectre stops much shorter than the LS:

For better traction, the Spectre has larger standard tires than the LS (F:255/45R22 & R:285/40R22 vs. 245/45R20). The Spectre’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (F:255/40R23 & R:295/35R23 vs. 245/45R20).

The Spectre’s standard 285/40R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ standard 45 series tires. The Spectre’s optional 255/40R23 front and 295/35R23 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the LS’ 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Spectre has standard 22-inch wheels. Only 20-inch wheels are available on the LS. The Spectre offers optional 23-inch wheels.

The Spectre has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The LS doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the Spectre uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the LS, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Spectre offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the LS.

The Spectre has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Spectre’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The LS doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Spectre’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the LS (126.4 inches vs. 123 inches).

The Spectre handles at .93 G’s, while the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The design of the Rolls-Royce Spectre amounts to more than styling. The Spectre has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .25 Cd. That is significantly lower than the LS (.3). A more efficient exterior helps the Spectre go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the Spectre get better fuel mileage.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Spectre to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The LS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.