Since it’s debut, the LC500 has been drastically underrated, and Lexus has had a hard time getting them to sell. For the 2021 model year, Lexus unveiled a stunning convertible. Paired with the naturally-aspirated V8 and well-crafted interior, the Lexus LC500 is well worth it’s $100,000 price. Let’s hope taking their top off is enough to get enthusiasts to turn their heads and open their wallets. Not a bad tactic.
In a world that is obsessed with lap times and “more power, baby,” the Lexus LC500 seems to stand in a class of its own. It isn’t the fastest vehicle, it isn’t the boldest, and it certainly doesn’t have all the latest tech.
Lexus’ flagship car isn’t about being the quickest around the track, it’s about the ultimate grand touring experience.
Lexus LC 500 Overview
It’s not often a car goes from concept to showroom, and even less often does the design of the production version go minimally changed. The Lexus LC 500 is one of those exceptions.
Lexus unveiled the tw0-door concept in January 2012 at the North American International Show, calling it the LF-LC for Lexus Future-Luxury Coupe. Four years later, at the same venue, Lexus premiered the Lexus LC 500, a near replica of the concept.
The first model year was 2018, and the Lexus LC 500 has been struggling to sell. Reviews were positive for Lexus’s new grand tourer, but buyers leaned towards the competitors in the same price range. Lexus only sold 3,032 units in 2017, 2,789 the following year, and only 1,580 LC 500s left the showroom in 2019.
New for the 2021 Lexus LC500
Top of the headlines for the 2021 model year is the new convertible Lexus LC500. The convertible features a power-retractable soft top which required an all-new structural element to the chassis.
The braces were relocated, and the Lexus updated the multi-link suspension components and tuning. Lexus claimed to have smoothed out the ride with their “Active Cornering Assist,” which lightly applies the brakes to the inside wheels through a corner.
The Lexus LC 500 is Built for Touring
The new Lexus LC500 can be optioned with either a v6-hybrid powertrain (LC500h) or the naturally-aspirated V8. Both offer a smooth ride and an ample amount of power, but the hybrid model is likely less desirable for the enthusiast. The hybridized V6 adds weight, costs more, and lacks the soundtrack found in the V8.
The LC500h has a 3.5-liter V6 combined with a pair of electric motors, and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery makes 354 hp. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) doesn’t do a terrible job mimicking a 10-speed automatic.
If you opt for the V8 version, which you should, you’ll get a well-proven 5.0L V-8 engine that is naturally aspirated and delivers 471 horsepower instantly to your foot. The 398-lb ft of torque thrust you back while you enjoy one of the best exhausts on sale today.
Not available in a manual, but a very well-sorted 10-speed automatic transmission will push the driver from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Tipping the scales at a hefty 4,500-lbs, the convertible sits 126-lbs heavier than the coupe and 24-lbs lighter than the hybrid. No hybrid convertible is expected to be released.
Going around corners, the Lexus is well-balanced with minimal body roll. The steering is accurate but isn’t too sharp. The suspension is far softer than most modern sports cars, a refreshing change when dealing with a grand tourer. Lexus chose to sacrifice performance for experience, this car isn’t about lap times.
The Lexus LC500 gets an estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg, and the hybrid-powered LC500h has an estimated EPA of 34 mpg.
The LC 500 is Undeniably Attractive
No matter which angle or which trim, the Lexus shows off stunning lines that embody speed and luxury. Its wide, low body has a road presence only held by the most elite supercars. The hood is long, and the Lexus grille is large and prominent. The rear end flairs out wide to wrap around to an LFA-inspired rear end. The only fault is the very fake exhaust tips.
The LC500 convertible had been visually rebalanced with a kick-up tail and a widened spoiler, but the drop-top version seems to suit the Lexus’ natural shape.
New 20-inch wheels are fitted on the 2021 LC500, and Lexus offers a variety of colors for a reasonable price, giving it a large personality and bold body lines. Two new paint options are offered in 2021, Cadmium Orange and Nori Green Pearl. It’s an undeniable beauty, one that has the promise to hold through the test of time.
A Lexus on the Inside
The interior is a wonderful place to be, ideal for a long journey. The materials are top-notch, and the craftsmanship rivals any German competitor near this price point.
The gauge cluster is well thought out. A single physical gauge with a digital layout will move based on driving mode or personal preference. The driver sits comfortably in the cockpit. The well-bolstered seats are both heated and cooled. The convertible includes the “Lexus’s Climate Concierge with Upper Body Heating,” which measures the driver’s temperature to ensure ultimate comfort regardless of the oncoming winds.
Perhaps the only fault for the LC 500 is the dated infotainment. The Lexus touchpad system is difficult to use, and the 10.3-inch screen isn't touchscreen. The shifter is knocked off from the Prius. The infotainment’s saving grace is that it does have both Android Auto and Apple Carplay.
The LC500 comes standard with the full Toyota/Lexus Safety Package, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Touring package is extra but might be worth the additional expense, it includes semi-aniline leather upholstery, a faux-suede headliner, parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, a de-icing windshield wipers, and parking sensors.
New LC 500 is Priced to Compete
The price-tag for a new Lexus LC500 is going to start at $93,050, add in a few options, and it’ll quickly cross over $100,000. Performance package cost $13,500, which adds a carbon-fiber roof, active rear sport differential, and variable gear ratio steering.
The LC500 stands in a class of its own, it’s not aiming to go against competition. Lexus was looking to build an elegant grand tourer from the ground up. It feels unique, not just another AMG or BMW M-something. It has the stance of something twice it’s price, a smooth, grumbling N/A V8 and Toyota reliability. The only thing it lacks is a proper infotainment system, but with a driving experience this good, that’s the last thing that will be on your mind.