Let’s get a couple of issues out of the best way earlier than we get caught in as a result of we have to handle expectations: First, the Lexus LC is not meant to be a tack-sharp sports activities automobile that may go up in opposition to the like of a Porsche 911 on a backroad. Second, it is a four-seater, however the rear seats will not accommodate anybody over the age of 5. Third, it has Lexus’s outdated infotainment system with the horrible touchpad that no one ever favored.
That is it.
As a result of regardless of its faults, we love this automobile. It is stunning in a method that may trigger even non-car fanatics’ eyes to observe it down the highway. It has certainly one of – if not the – best-sounding V8s ever put into manufacturing and a cockpit that is as fashionable as it’s comfy. Actually, in case you’re a critically minted particular person with 100 grand or so to play with and a spare slot in your storage for a grand tourer, simply exit and purchase certainly one of these. For the remainder of us that ought to know precisely what we’re moving into earlier than dropping the form of money on a automobile that might change a life, learn on.
Exterior: Idea {Car} Seems For A Purpose
Apart from a suspension replace, the one different change for 2023 is a brand new shade possibility that joins the palette of beautiful hues. The brand new shade is Cloudburst Grey, however our check mannequin arrived in Flare Yellow. The proper shade for this magnificence is Nori Inexperienced Pearl, which is not a particular version shade. That is an opinion, in fact, however it’s the right one.
The sheet steel is curved and bent like an idea automobile, and that is as a result of the Lexus LC is among the few automobiles that made it to the highway with out drastic modifications from the idea it was based mostly on. As normal, the LC comes with triple-beam LED headlamps, a glass roof with sunshade, and 20-inch staggered-width machined completed split-10-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in run-flat summer season tires. It has to have run-flat tires as a result of there is not any spare, which we found by a puncture a while in the past, isn’t preferrred.
Inside: Sumptous Consolation
The Lexus LC isn’t a younger automobile anymore, however we nonetheless price it as having one of many best-in-class interiors available on the market. Our tester arrived with a sportier inside than we might select, however there is not any incorrect possibility. The inside house up entrance is superbly crafted, and the seats are constructed for lengthy cross-country drives.
The dashboard blends futuristic and old-world luxurious right into a seamless stretch throughout the automobile and options an analog clock that is solely job is to remind you the LC is a luxurious automobile. The LC 500 additionally options magnesium paddle shifters and dual-zone computerized local weather management, however the 10.3-inch LCD shade show feels dated. We’ll get to that, although.
There are rear seats, however the quantity of legroom obtainable with a few adults upfront is comical. Genuinely. Virtually everybody that appears inside as you fold a entrance seat ahead chuckles. Nevertheless, that rear space offers a sense of house and adjustment for the seats you do not get in one thing like a Toyota Supra, Nissan Z, or any mid-engine automobile.
It is helpful for stowing baggage or laptops and as further space for storing on journeys for the reason that trunk is not notably giant. Talking of, trunk quantity is available in at 5 cubic toes, which can retailer two carry-on-size baggage – Lexus undoubtedly made certain it could serve a weekend getaway for 2 and permit for the business luxurious sports activities automobile normal measurement of a golf bag with golf equipment.
Infotainment: The LC’s Achilles Heel
That is easy: You may return to any pre-2022 Lexus assessment and see why the Enform infotainment system wasn’t a lot appreciated. Most of that’s right down to the dangerous touchpad controller within the middle console. It is unintuitive, sluggish, and annoying to make use of. Navigation is normal, however you may wish to use the app in your telephone as a result of Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Alexa compatibility are additionally normal – though not wi-fi. Simply assume you may use a type of, and the infotainment system turns into acceptable.
The infotainment in 2024 LCs get a considerable improve, however on the time of writing, this was just for European-spec fashions, which is a large disappointment. Even the usual 12-speaker audio setup is not mind-blowing, however a minimum of consumers can go for the Mark Levinson 13-speaker, 915-watt encompass sound system on the choices listing.
Powertrain: So A lot V8
The LC’s 5.0-liter V8 engine is a peach. Full with quad cams, 4 valves per cylinder, and an influence output of 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 pm, it is a dream for cruising, and the exhaust notice is tuned for fanatics’ ears. It is not an engine for taking folks on on the lights, however it’s not shy about getting on top of things. As soon as it settles on the freeway, it is quiet however at all times ready to open up and, when it is time to overtake, pounce. Carving by backroads with all that torque is a hoot.
We consider it as a muscle automobile engine constructed to get away shortly and cruise effortlessly. A part of the rationale it is so easy to drive nearly anyplace is the 10-speed computerized transmission feeding the ability to the rear wheels. It is fast, responsive, and is aware of what gear to be in always. Simply do not anticipate it to compete on the monitor.
As for gasoline economic system, we burned by extra fuel over fewer miles in a Civic Sort R over every week. The EPA says 19 mpg mixed, however we did not do a lot metropolis driving and averaged higher mileage within the early twenties. It has a 21.7-gallon gasoline tank which is nice for over 400 miles on one burn. There’s a hybrid model, however, nicely, it removes one of many most important substances of this glorious recipe: A Lexus LC with out the V8 is sort of a beef burger made with Past Meat. Certain, it is nonetheless a burger and may style nice, however it’s not a beef burger anymore. It is a plant protein sandwich, which is not dangerous in any respect – however in case you’re craving a beef burger, nothing else will do.
On The Street: Driving Enjoyment
The LC 500 is easy and cozy round city and makes for a stunning every day driver. It is also a stunning approach to arrive at a restaurant and is assured to impress a date in a minimum of a technique. Nevertheless, it is at its most interesting when the vacation spot is an hour or two away and the navigation is about to keep away from freeways. It could assault a highway, and the suspension is supple however agency whereas the steering is on level; however in case you’re seeking to sustain with a Porsche 911 in full assault mode, you are going to be considerably dissatisfied.
The LC’s pleasure is maintaining the tempo with rhythm and ingesting within the journey in consolation and with that V8 offering the soundtrack. In case you’re stretching out the map and heading cross nation, it is a freeway cruiser that eats up the miles – simply beware of individuals holding up their telephones to seize a photograph or catch it on video.
The journey high quality by the newly improved suspension is nice regardless of the way you possibility the LC 500, even on the obtainable 21-inch wheels. The updates see the entrance and rear suspension optimized to reinforce “floor contact really feel and linear steering response”, in line with Lexus. The brakes have loads of stopping energy with out being jarring in on a regular basis use, and the pedal is linear and natural-feeling.
The Lexus LC is not small, and it does weigh in on the heavy facet, however it hides its bulk nicely on the highway whereas nonetheless feeling substantial in addition to athletic. There is a little bit of muscle automobile really feel in how the V8 pulls, however the comparability ends there because the Lexus is a classy piece of equipment fairly than a brute. It is one of many few automobiles that we drive repeatedly, and we’re sorry to see it go each time, which is about as excessive of a rating as we can provide a automobile. It is only a pleasure to drive and canopy miles with.
How Do You Choice A Lexus LC 500?
Our tester was geared up with the Dynamic Dealing with Bundle that features variable-steering, adaptive rear-wheel-steering, a Torsen limited-slip differential, a speed-activated rear wing, a carbon fiber roof, Alcantara sports activities seats, and a few carbon fiber accouterments. All this sharpens up the LC as a sports activities automobile however is much from vital. We might fairly luxuriate in leather-trimmed seats. The carbon fiber door scuff plate seems to be misplaced, and Alcantara is for race automobiles, not luxurious sports activities automobiles, in our opinion. We would go away the Dynamic Dealing with Bundle possibility unchecked, benefit from the base configuration, and spend the $9,570 on gasoline and the price of upkeep of placing miles on an costly luxurious automobile.
The 2023 Lexus LC begins at $95,600, however we might add the heads-up show for $900 and the Mark Levinson sound system for $1,220. Premium paint colours price $595, however Nori Inexperienced is not in that class, so we’ll put that within the tire substitute fund.
So Shut To Good
We love the Lexus LC to the purpose that this author is watching the used automobile costs and can forgive the infotainment setup for the sheer pleasure of the driving expertise. Nevertheless, for those who do not wish to spend over $100k and need to compromise when different Lexus automobiles at the moment are delivery with glorious infotainment methods, it is an issue that must be acknowledged.
What Lexus will do with the ageing LC is up within the air, regardless of asserting an up to date 2024 mannequin with an improved infotainment setup – the US does not appear to be on the receiving finish of what would undoubtedly be the very best LC but. The LC 500 is six years outdated now and does not want a facelift from an aesthetic and driving perspective since we consider it is timeless. However it could be deeply disappointing if the 2024 fashions sure for the USA did not get the infotainment replace. That is all it could take for the LC 500 to develop into an ideal automobile.