Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Lexus LC review

Hi-tech Lexus luxury coupe piles on the style to take on the Mercedes SL and BMW 8 Series

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Price
£99,065 to £116,105
  • Head-turning looks
  • Interior quality
  • Impressive ride and refinement
  • Frustrating gearbox
  • Perplexing infotainment
  • Visibility could be better
Find your Lexus LC
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Customers got an average £1000 more vs part exchange quotes
Advertisement

Lexus has never shied away from a challenge, pitching itself against the big German premium marques right across its model range. Now it’s taking on big coupes like the Mercedes SL and BMW 8 Series with the LC – and it does it rather well.

We love the hi-tech approach to making a hybrid powertrain and CVT gearbox work smoothly, while the V8 engine is a joy to drive hard, but it does need revs to really deliver.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The handling is pretty impressive, too, with plenty of grip and poise, even if the steering lacks a Porsche 911’s precision, which is what the engineers were aiming for. There’s also a fair amount of comfort and refinement when cruising, confirming the LC’s credentials as a grand tourer - indeed, Lexus has been at pains to say that the LC is 'absolutely not a sports car'.

• Best hybrid cars on sale right now

As in all Lexus models, the quality is outstanding – inside and out – but, at the same time, the cabin is a mess of buttons and controls, while the Remote Touch infotainment controller is way behind rivals’ systems for usability.

This also isn’t a particularly practical GT – even calling it a 2+2 would be stretching it a bit, as the rear seats are best used for putting bags on, especially as the boot isn’t exactly cavernous.

But as a complete package, Lexus has made a compelling alternative to the established German GTs.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

While the market for luxury grand tourers is small, that hasn't stopped Lexus putting the LC on sale. This Japanese GT majors on style and technology, as it features the company's distinctive design cues, as well as its latest hybrid engineering and luxury equipment in the cabin.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There are two versions of the Lexus LC on sale: the LC 500 and LC 500h. Both feature a traditional front engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, with the LC 500 coming with a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine, and the LC 500h fitted with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine combined with an electric motor and battery pack. Inside, the LC has a 2+2 seating layout, with a spacious front cabin and only occasional seats in the back.

Under the skin, the LC was the first model to benefit from a new rear-drive platform that also forms the basis of the Lexus LS limousine, plus the replacement for the GS, the ES executive saloon, as well as the next IS compact saloon.

Lexus LC 500h vs Mercedes SL 400

Prices start from around £76,500, and the V8 and hybrid models cost the same, so you can choose between power or efficiency. The V8 model is less advanced than the hybrid, although it still features a trick 10-speed auto gearbox. The 500h features this gearbox as well as a CVT box. This keeps the revs at a constant point, whether for maximum performance or optimum efficiency, while the 10-speeder is essentially a conventional four-speed auto that changes its output in stages to provide a wider spread of usable torque.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

At full throttle, the CVT box is in use, but in normal driving, the 'regular' auto makes the LC feel more natural to drive than a CVT-equipped car. This arrangement all but eliminates the 'rubber band' feeling of traditional CVTs, while being quick to change and enhancing the performance of the car: the hybrid is only 0.3 seconds off the V8’s 4.7-second 0-62mph time.

As the LC is a halo model (in some ways it's a higher volume replacement for the LFA supercar), it's very well equipped, with a 12-speaker stereo, sat-nav, rear camera, 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, a glass roof, 10-way adjustable climate seats in leather and adaptive suspension all included. There's lots of safety kit, too, including blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert and Lexus' Safety System+ package.

On top of this, you can add Sport or Sport+ packs, with the former adding Alcantara and leather sports seats, 21-inch wheels and a carbon fibre roof - Sport+ adds rear-wheel steering, a limited slip diff, retractable rear spoiler and carbon fibre scuff plates. Finally, the Limited Edition model has a Mark Levinson stereo and a colour head-up display. This model is the most expensive version available, weighing in at around £92,000.

The market for large luxury coupes is smaller than most, and the LC's only real rivals at a similar price are the BMW 8 Series and ageing Maserati GranTurismo. The Mercedes SL can be counted as a rival with a folding hard top, but it's only a two-seater, while cars such as the Mercedes S-Class Coupe, Aston Martin DB11 and Ferrari Portofino are quite pricey 2+2s in comparison. Other models worth considering, but which have a sportier edge, are the Porsche 911 and Jaguar F-Type, although again the latter is a two-seater only.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    500 5.0 2dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £73,744

Most Economical

  • Name
    500h 3.5 Sport 2dr Auto [Manhattan Orange]
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £86,684

Fastest

  • Name
    500 5.0 2dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £73,744
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on LC

Show me:
Updated 2024 Lexus LC 500 revealed with exclusive Ultimate Edition
Lexus LC 500 Ultimate Edition - rear
News
23 May 2023

Updated 2024 Lexus LC 500 revealed with exclusive Ultimate Edition

All 2024 LC 500 models will pick up a new touchscreen infotainment system and subtle chassis updates
Limited edition Lexus LC Hokkaido launched for 2022
Lexus LC Hokkaido - static
News
14 Mar 2022

Limited edition Lexus LC Hokkaido launched for 2022

Latest Lexus LC special edition pays homage to Japan’s Hokkaido island
Lexus LC Coupe and Convertible gain chassis upgrades for 2022
Lexus LC 2021 - front
News
26 Nov 2021

Lexus LC Coupe and Convertible gain chassis upgrades for 2022

Lexus says mechanical tweaks have made the LC more comfortable and improve its handling
New Lexus LC Black Inspiration special edition unveiled
Lexus LC Black Inspiration - front
News
20 Oct 2021

New Lexus LC Black Inspiration special edition unveiled

The Lexus LC’s new specification adds a few styling tweaks, some extra equipment and a couple of performance add-ons
New Lexus LC 500 Convertible 2020 review
Road tests
28 Sep 2020

New Lexus LC 500 Convertible 2020 review

Does the new Lexus LC 500 Convertible increase the luxury sports car’s appeal?
New 2020 Lexus LC Convertible on sale now
News
21 Sep 2020

New 2020 Lexus LC Convertible on sale now

Starting price of £90,775 for new Lexus LC Convertible
Lexus LC 500 Convertible Regatta Edition revealed
News
3 Aug 2020

Lexus LC 500 Convertible Regatta Edition revealed

The limited edition Lexus LC Regatta Edition features a unique colour scheme, which the company says is inspired by a luxury ocean-going yacht
Lexus LC 500 Limited Edition 2020 review
Road tests
3 Jul 2020

Lexus LC 500 Limited Edition 2020 review

The sharp-suited Lexus LC 500 V8 coupe takes aim at Porsche's 911 in plush Limited Edition guise
Lexus LC racer previews new twin-turbo V8 engine
Lexus LC racecar
News
19 Dec 2019

Lexus LC racer previews new twin-turbo V8 engine

The track car’s twin-turbocharged V8 engine will eventually find its way under the bonnet of future Lexus production models
New Lexus LC Coupe gets unique colour and interior
Lexus LC Coupe Limited Edition - front static
News
15 Aug 2019

New Lexus LC Coupe gets unique colour and interior

The Lexus LC Coupe Limited Edition model features exclusive Terrane Khaki colour paint and a re-trimmed interior
BMW 8 Series vs Lexus LC
BMW 8 Series vs Lexus LC
Road tests
9 Apr 2019

BMW 8 Series vs Lexus LC

The sleek new 8 Series aims to wrestle the crown from our reigning Best Coupe, the Lexus LC
Skip advert
Advertisement
Lexus RC and RC F updated with new tech for 2018
News
9 Feb 2018

Lexus RC and RC F updated with new tech for 2018

Lexus updates the RC coupe across the range, but adds a price tag premium too
Lexus LC 500h vs Mercedes SL 400
Lexus LC 500h vs Mercedes SL 400 - header
Car group tests
18 Jan 2018

Lexus LC 500h vs Mercedes SL 400

The luxurious new Lexus LC 500h hybrid coupe meets the established Mercedes SL 400 folding hard-top
New Lexus LC Structural Blue Edition arrives
News
9 Oct 2017

New Lexus LC Structural Blue Edition arrives

As part of its quest for the perfect blue paint, Lexus will produce a limited amount of LCs containing 300 billion blue pigment flakes.
New Lexus LC 500 2017 review
Lexus LC 500 - front
Road tests
24 Aug 2017

New Lexus LC 500 2017 review

Lexus' stylish V8 LC proves a worthy alternative to the hybrid, but it's not without its faults
New Lexus LC 500h 2017 review
Lexus LC 500h - front
Road tests
8 Dec 2016

New Lexus LC 500h 2017 review

The striking new Lexus LC 500h takes an innovative approach to hybrid performance