The 2010s were a spectacular era for supercars. It was possibly the last time when automakers could truly explore all different kinds of powertrains and not be exceptionally worried about emissions regulations. At least, not as much as they are nowadays. Indeed, the 2010s saw the release of some of the most important supercars of the modern day.

The beginning of the decade, especially, had some true icons. The Lamborghini Aventador, which recently bowed out, the Sesto Elemento, the Ferrari 458 and 488, the McLaren P1, and even some supercar beaters, such as the Ariel Atom V8. It's very difficult to argue that there was one supercar in the 2010s that towers above the rest in terms of how special it is: the Lexus LFA.

Overview Of The LFA

Lexus launched the LFA for the 2010 model year, and to this day, it remains the only ever true supercar to wear a Lexus badge. Before that, Lexus had been working on the LFA for almost a full decade, showcasing their progress through various different concept cars and updates. Rather famously, the LFA's production got delayed because at the last second, the engineers decided that an aluminum construction is too heavy, so they scrapped the car and built it again from carbon fiber, due to its much better strength and weight properties.

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The LFA certainly looks like no other Lexus. Even though it's front-engined, make no mistake, this is a proper supercar. The front end might seem a little garish, but all of those aero components are very much real and functional, even that one on the hood. Interestingly, all LFAs, North American market or not, had orange markers on the side.

The side features a bunch of other aero components, all of them functional, including the mirrors. The rear includes the very distinctive rear vents below the taillights, and that signature triangularly placed triple exhaust, which produces quite possibly the best sound in the history of the automobile. The LFA, obviously, came only one way, but the personalization program was pretty extensive.

Lexus LFA Powertrain And Drivetrain

You can't talk about the Lexus LFA without mentioning the engine. That's really what it's all about, as it's the component that makes it truly special. Under the hood is a meticulously engineered 4.8-liter naturally-aspirated V10, developing 552 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The engine revs to 9,000 RPM, propelling the LFA to 60 mph in around 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 202 mph. Yamaha tuned the exhaust system for Lexus, so they're the ones to thank for the incredible sound the LFA makes. The 1LR-GUE sends its power to the rear wheels through an Aisin six-speed automated manual transmission, and the shift paddles have a different weight when you pull them, for a better feel.

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The Lexus LFA is a fantastic car to drive. The chassis is incredibly well-sorted, it corners exceptionally well, and it's very grippy considering that it's "only" RWD. Plus, the exhaust note that we keep mentioning definitely contributes to the drama, and overall, it's an incredible experience.

Lexus LFA Comfort And Quality

On the inside, the LFA is an excellent mix of typical Lexus from the time and something way more special. The standout feature is the digital gauge cluster, the LFA being one of the first ever cars to use such a setup. That's because the engine revs to its redline so quickly (0.6 seconds), an analog tachometer could not keep up. Elsewhere, there's a standard Lexus infotainment system with the hated mouse controller, a very driver-centric center console, and a unique steering wheel which includes a start button. You could also spec your LFA with fitted luggage.

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In terms of quality, nobody really knows. LFAs tend to cover very small mileages year-by-year, as most owners store them in a garage or collection while prices rise and rise. But, it's safe to assume that, for the most part, Lexus' proven track record for reliability carries on to the LFA as well. The LFA seats only two, and its cargo area has 7.7 cubic feet of space.

Lexus LFA Prices

Lexus only built 500 LFAs, making a loss on each one, so prices have a definitely gone up. Reports confirm that since September 2020, Lexus currently has one unsold new LFA, but otherwise, according to Classic.com, the average market value of the Lexus LFA sits at around $573,000. That's not cheap, but it's a price worth paying, considering that this is one of the most special, exclusive, and capable supercars of its day.