When it comes to Lexus as a brand, they're a well-respected one in the world of luxury cars. While with plenty of superbly reliable, practical, and comfortable cruisers in their lineup, Lexus' reputation for excitement isn't at all what most people know them for. While there are more exciting performance versions of their existing cars under the F-line, and several great sports cars in their past, Lexus tends to be overlooked by those seeking performance.
But that isn't always the case, with the '90s bringing the sweet 2JZ powered (in some trims) SC coupe, then its 2000s convertible successor, as well as the incredible LFA supercar coming in the 2010s, Lexus sports car history has had several high points. Continuing that lineage, the LC500 is the successor to that SC coupe, debuting in 2017 with a similar sports-luxury purpose.
Styled with some incredible looks, sumptuously luxurious with its incredible interior, and rather powerful, the LC500 like its SC predecessor is not the car for those after an all-out sporty experience. While it does compromise outright sportiness for luxury, the LC500 more than makes up for it with great V8 power and more. Mostly the same for 2021, this year does see a host of changes, including a new convertible version, tech features, options, and handling improvements.
Surprising Standard Muscle, Optional Hybrid
Since its debut in 2017, one of the unique calling cards of the LC500 has been its engine, forgoing the typical small turbo engines most Japanese sports cars use for a surprising muscular choice. Carrying on the lineage of the previous, and beloved UZ series of V8 engine introduced with the LS400 and Lexus as a brand, as well as used in the SC430 which preceded the LC500, the LC500 makes use of a UR series V8 engine, specifically the 2UR-GSE which is a 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 - a type and displacement usually associated with American muscle cars.
Pumping out 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, the LC500 not only has plenty of power, but also a muscular exhaust note that sounds delightful, with a throaty low rumble that roars with revs. Paired only to a responsive yet smooth 10-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels, the LC500 is not a raw and brutal RWD V8 beast, but instead uses the big engine and 10-speed transmission to bestow the car with smooth, consistent, and plentiful acceleration.
If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option instead of a 5.0 L V8 though, the LC500 also comes in the form of a hybrid, called the LC500h this version forgoes the V8 for a 3.5L V6 and dual electric motors and also ditches the 10-speed auto for a CVT that simulates the 10-speed's shifts. While the V8 is definitely the more fun-loving option, either way you have it, the LC500 is a serious grand tourer, and with that V8, it cruises like a dream. Furthermore, active exhaust comes standard on the V8 model, letting you chose to quiet things down for comfort or open it up to hear that V8 roar.
A Grand Tourer With A Sporty Bite
While it does prioritize luxury and comfort first and foremost as a GT sports car, that's not to say the LC500 doesn't have much by the way of performance to love. Weighing in at a hefty 4,371 lbs, the LC500 isn’t exactly a rocket, nor is it all that nimble, but with its standard V8, RWD, and 10-speed auto, 0-60 mph takes 4.7 seconds, and top speed is limited to 168 mph. These aren't hugely competitive numbers in a power-obsessed market, but looking at things objectively, it's more than enough to offset the luxury and comfort with a lot of fun. While it increases the weight and drops the power, the LC500h also achieves similar acceleration numbers, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds, though doesn't have the thrill of a V8 exhaust note and powerband.
Despite a comfortable and luxurious setup and ride quality, the LC500 also is delightful in its handling too, with a balanced and planted feel that won’t exactly be at home carving corners but still offers plenty of fun and a confidence-inspiring ride. To take this even further, Lexus offers an optional performance package on the LC500, adding variable steering and adaptive rear-wheel-steering to increase cornering ability. Optional Yamaha-developed suspension dampers also help stiffen the handling further, if that's what you're after.
As well, now standard for the 2021 LC500 is further improved handling over past years, with new suspension that’s both smoother and more agile, as well as new Active Cornering Assist that lightly brakes inside wheels during cornering for better turn-in response. Further enhancing the sporty handling, you can get a Torsen limited-slip differential as an option.
Spectacular Interior, Some Practicality
One of, if not the best aspect of the LC500, is its absolutely incredible interior, with sumptuous and high-quality construction, and a snug layout that makes it a great place to be. Notably, the overall quality is absolutely top-notch, with trim and materials of the highest quality (for the price), and an overall design that just looks great.
Standard features as well are superb, including leather upholstery, 8-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, a 12 speaker Lexus premium audio system - with a Mark Levinson 13 speaker sound system being optional, a 10.3” infotainment screen with Lexus' Dynamic Voice Command, Bluetooth phone connectivity, Apple Car Play and Android Auto (newly standard for 2021) as well as Amazon Alexa connectivity, keyless entry/push start, performance readouts and a G-meter, and much more. If you prefer a sportier feeling interior, optional sport seats and upholstery like Alcantara are available to give it that look.
Practicality isn't excellent for a grand tourer though, as the front seats are indeed roomy, but the rear seats are typically small, and sadly don't fold down for extra cargo space. The trunk is a similar story, being surprisingly small at 5 cu-ft, it loses out to even brutal and pure performing supercars like the McLaren 720S and its 7.2 cu-ft cargo space across its 5.2 cu-ft front trunk and 2 cu-ft rear trunk. Interior storage space is also limited, with a somewhat limited amount of interior storage compartments, though you do get 2 cupholders.
Fuel economy is about what you'd expect for a 5.0 L V8, achieving a rating of 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. As mentioned, for the more eco-concerned buyer, the LC500h does improve the mileage at the cost of power, giving a 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway rating instead.
Further Changes, And Driver Assists
Continuing the assortment of new for 2021 features alongside the convertible version on offer, and suspension being revamped, new paint, interior colors, and wheels are also introduced. A Flare Red leather interior is new, the Bespoke White leather is discontinued, and 2 new paint colors can now be had, namely Cadmium Orange and Nori Green Pearl.
Also new for 2021, the special Inspiration Series has been introduced. Limited to 100 units, it consists of blacking out the car's paint and accents, adding plenty of carbon fiber and Alcantara trim, unique wheels and spoiler, adding options like the Mark Levinson sound system, as well as performance options like the Torsen LSD and Yamaha dampers.
Coming standard on the LC500 for 2021 as well, a large suite of driver assists make the car very competitive in today’s market. Included in this list is a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Intelligent High Beams, a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Advanced Traction Control, as well as optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking.
Pricing And Trim
Offered in 3 standard flavors, the Lexus LC500's trims are fairly straightforward and include:
LC500 Coupe - $93,050
The standard V8 powered LC500, you get all the standard features mentioned.
LC500h Coupe - $97,610
Packing the Multistage hybrid drivetrain, the LC500h gets a standard set of forged dark tone alloy wheels that are optional on the LC500, but otherwise comes with the same features.
LC500 Convertible - $101,100
The convertible form of the V8 LC500, the soft-top convertible only can be had with this drivetrain and packs unique convertible features over the coupe including noise control and rear seat-mounted speakers, active roll bars, underbody bracing to make up for the drop in rigidity, as well as the Intuitive Parking Assist as standard.
LC500 Coupe Inspiration Series - $110,420
A limited edition of the LC500 Inspiration Series comes with many of the options as standard features, as well as black paint, blacked-out trim like the brightwork, and the interior Alcantara trim.
LC500 Convertible Inspiration Series - $119,900
The Inspiration Series but in convertible form, you not only get the Inspiration Series coupe's features, but also the ones that come with the standard convertible
On V8 models you’ll also receive a 4 Year/50,000-mile limited warranty, a 6 Year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, as well as complimentary maintenance for 1 year or 10,000 miles. On the LC500h, hybrid drivetrain components receive an 8 year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Sources: Lexus, Car and Driver