The Lexus LC 500 has been on the market for six years and is still a standout model. It features stunning aesthetics, provides comfortable all-day cruising, and has a reputation for dependability that is envied. After all, it is a Lexus. Two body types, a two-door coupe and a convertible, are offered for the Lexus LC 500. A hybrid engine that consumes less fuel is also available for the coupe. The grand tourer is ideal for solo or minimalist couples doing lengthy highway travels. It can manage the odd driving that is aggressive.
All three LC models (LC 500 Coupe, LC 500 Convertible, and LC 500h Hybrid Coupe) have their front and rear suspension settings optimized for 2023. Additionally, a new Sport Package with a limited-slip differential, Yamaha performance damper, performance brake pads, and Alcantara-trimmed seats, a Sport Package with a glass roof that adds 21-inch forged alloy wheels with gloss black accents, and a new Cloudburst Gray paint colour are all new.
It is challenging to compare direct rivals on an equal footing. The BMW 840i is the closest. Even closest in terms of size and power is the Mercedes-AMG SL55 roadster. The Chevy Corvette Stingray is comparable in size and strength, although it initially looks strange. Although the Vette only has two seats, the back seats in the Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes are, at best, afterthoughts. While the SL55 is only available as a convertible, the BMW and Stingray have coupe and convertible models. We’re concentrating on the 840i, Stingray, and SL55 because their pricing and performance differ, while rivals offer wilder versions of all three cars.
The Lexus’ gasoline-powered V8 (beginning at $94,600 plus fees for the coupe) has 136 more horsepower than the 840i and is just 24 horsepower less potent than the Stingray’s engine. It also has two more horsepower than the SL 55. However, the zero-to-60 timings in this group rely on many more factors than horsepower. Weight is significant. The only vehicle in this lineup with a second engine option is a Lexus: The 3.5-litre V6 and electric motor in the LC 500h hybrid ($100,600 to start) provide 354 horsepower. The Bespoke Build, a customized coupe or hybrid, is the sole “trim” offered.
The LC500 inside is stunning, particularly in the Toasted Caramel leather with a satin metallic accent that is included at no additional cost. Long drives in comfort are possible with the seats. One of the last Lexuses to have the brand’s much-despised trackpad for touchscreen control and one of the last of any vehicle to come standard with a CD player, the technology hasn’t changed since the car’s introduction in the autumn of 2017 is beginning to show its age in certain places.
LC 500 coupe to be speedy, comfortable, and a surefire conversation starter. It is by no means sluggish, but because of its weight, it isn’t very quick or tossable. Despite being on the market for over five years, it sells in small quantities; many claim to have never seen one. They also often overestimate the cost, assuming it will cost at least $150,000.
Performance: Lexus LC 500
The Corvette has 495 horsepower, followed by the Mercedes 469 and the BMW 335, while the LC 500’s 5.0-litre V8 has 471 horsepower, the second-highest output in this comparison group. Zero-to-60 times are 4.4 seconds. Despite having more horsepower, the BMW is the only slower vehicle, at 4.7 seconds. Despite only having 24 more horsepower than the Lexus, the AWD Mercedes completes the race to 60 in 3.8 seconds, while the Corvette completes it in 3 seconds flat. Weighing 500 pounds heavier than the BMW and over 1,000 pounds more than the Vette, the Lexus is to blame.
A 4.4-second run is still nothing to be ashamed of. The hybrid’s zero-to-60 time is also commendable, though not exceptional. The LC 500h completes runs in under five seconds despite having just 354 horsepower available and a continuously variable gearbox instead of the 10-speed automatic found in the gasoline-powered LC.
The vehicle seems more responsive and composed than in past years due to Lexus’ changes to the chassis dynamics. Rear-wheel drive is offered on the Lexus and Chevrolet, all-wheel drive on the Mercedes, and both campaigns are available on the BMW.
Fuel efficiency: Lexus LC 500
With 19 combined mpg for the coupe and 18 for the convertible, the LC 500 gasoline versions place third in fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates that the BMW gets 24 mpg on the highway. The Mercedes is third at 16, while the Corvette is in second place at 19.
The LC 500h has the highest combined city/highway average of any rivals at 29 mpg, even the Thonone offering model. It is an appealing option for a road trip in a coupe due to its 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway ratings.
Safety and driver support technology:
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), or any safety organizations in Europe or Australia have not given any cars in this category a crash test grade. Most probable, the Lexus and the others will never undergo testing.
The Lexus received a perfect score because it complies with federal requirements for essential safety features, has eight airbags, and comes standard with a comprehensive active safety package from Lexus that includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, lane keep assist, collision warnings, emergency braking, blind spot monitors, and three years of the Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.
Comfort and Space
In this class, baggage that won’t fit in the trunk is more common to see in the back seats than passengers. With just 32.5 inches, the LC 500 comes out on top. The Mercedes SL features back seats but hasn’t revealed its proportions, while the Corvette has room for two people. The only vehicle left is the BMW 840i, which, at 29.5 inches, is a tight fit. The fact that the Lexus has the most extended wheelbase in the group—nearly 2 inches larger than the BMW—is almost probably contributing to its spaciousness. However, with just 28 inches of space, the Lexus Convertible’s back seat is smaller than the BMW’s.
Excellent front seat comfort is provided with supportive seats ideal for spending extended periods behind the wheel. Even after using the LC 500 for 11 hours (with breaks), one need not feel worn out. The interior by Bespoke Build, which has unique materials, colours, and badging, enhances the atmosphere.
Infotainment: Lexus LC 500
The instrument cluster of the LC 500 is large, clear, crisp, and programmable. The 10.3-inch infotainment screen, which is close to the windshield and too far away to function as a touchscreen, which it does not, and has been in the vehicle since its introduction more than five years ago is a big part of the interior’s ageing process. That requires making decisions utilizing the infamous and soon-to-be-retired trackpad from Lexus. One of the last Lexus vehicles to have a CD player as standard equipment is the LC 500, which is one of the previous vehicles of any marque to do so.
The good news is that most controls have tactile buttons, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available as standard (albeit they are not wireless). Ambient lighting and navigation are included as well.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Stories abound of folks who were ready to purchase until they discovered their golf clubs wouldn’t fit since the cargo space in this group is usually small. Just enough room is available for an overnight bag in the “barely there” 5.4 cubic feet of the LC 500 trunk (which is even smaller in the convertible at 3.4 cubic feet).
Compared to the BMW’s ten cubic foot trunk and the Mercedes’ 7.5 cubic feet, the Corvette offers the most storage with its mix of a tiny compartment for soft luggage behind the mid-mounted engine and a bigger frunk (front trunk) for 12.6 cubic feet.
A tiny glovebox, centre console compartment, and door pockets provide little storage capacity. However, these compartments are more significant than automobiles with higher space.
Design: Lexus LC 500
The LC is based on the Lexus LFA supercar from around 2010, and both it and the smaller Lexus RC borrow some details from the 2015 LF-C2 concept car. While styling is subjective, few vehicles on the road can look like concept cars without making significant compromises or adopting a gimmicky appearance that quickly becomes stale. In either of its versions, the Lexus LC 500 is exempt from all of that. It is a breathtakingly gorgeous vehicle that exudes presence, arouses dreams, and unquestionably will become a highly sought-after collector car.
With a carbon-fibre rear spoiler and unique interior choices, the Bespoke Build quality raises the bar even higher.
Is the 2023 Lexus LC 500 Worth It?
The Lexus LC 500’s starting price of $94,600 (plus a $1,150 destination charge) is delightfully reasonable for such a loaded cruiser. A 12-speaker premium sound system, dual-zone temperature control with a pollen filter, 20-inch cast alloy wheels with run-flat tires, triple-beam LED headlamps, an adaptive variable suspension, heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front seats, and navigation are all included as standard features. With such a firm basis, additional options (Touring, Sport, Dynamic Handling, All-Weather) are not essential but offer luxuries or performance enhancements for up to $9,570.
The LC 500 Convertible with a retractable soft top begins at $102,650 and has the same characteristics. And the LC 500h hybrid coupe costs $100,600 at the start.
The hybrid would be our pick. It is a reasonable bargain to give up 6/10ths of a second to reach 60 mph in exchange for an EPA-estimated 29 mpg on the combined city/highway. Additionally, the quieter engine enhances the qualities of a sumptuous cruiser with a dynamic edge.
The Corvette has the lowest base price in this group by more than $20,000, but most of that advantage is lost when equipped with the same features as the Lexus, BMW, and Benz. The Mercedes is by far the most costly vehicle in the group, with a starting price over $30,000 more than the LC 500 Convertible. The BMW comes in approximately $6,000 behind the Lexus. However, the difference is insignificant for some of the customers in this group.
How Much Does the 2023 Lexus LC Cost to Insure?
Like its competitors, the LC is expensive to insure. Although this figure covers all 50 states, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record should anticipate an average yearly premium of approximately $4,165. A Mercedes-AMG SL55 owner may spend up to $5,000 annually, compared to the starting prices of $3,060 for the Chevy Corvette Stingray and $4,256 for the BMW 8 Series.
Verdict
The Lexus LC has a five-figure price tag and a six-figure design. The LC 500’s strengths are its aesthetic appeal, internal comfort, and—if you pick the hybrid—its fuel efficiency. It is available in a coupe and convertible with a V8 or a fuel-efficient hybrid (coupe only). It performs poorly practically, particularly when transporting people and goods, like many exotic-looking automobiles. Its appearance inspires performance aspirations that its suspension and engine can’t quite fulfil. Although the cabin is cosy and well-appointed, the infotainment system is outdated—just look at the touchpad and CD player. Although the lack of collision data is troubling, Lexus should be commended for providing the LC with a comprehensive set of active safety measures as standard.
