Lexus LC

Lexus LC

Model Years Produced: 2018 to Current

Summary

In the absence of the screaming LF-A supercar, Lexus needed a new halo car, and it delivered one with the LC. With a raucous naturally-aspirated V8, a beautiful exterior design, and one of the most elegant interiors this side of $100,000, the LC would have been a home run when it launched…had people understood what it was.

For all of the marketing calling it a sports car, it was simply too heavy, too soft, and too imprecise to compete with vehicles like the Porsche Cayman. It took several years for the automatic buying public to catch on to the idea that it was meant to be a grand tourer that just happened to have a dirty exhaust note. Unfortunately, it has a tiny trunk – especially in convertible or hybrid guise – and the back seats are only usable for small children or double amputees, but if you can live with the lack of trunk space or use the back seats for storage instead, it’s hard to think of a better car for eating up the miles.

Avoid model-year 2018 vehicles, as the suspension has been criticized for being uncomfortable compared to later models. The transmission and steering were reworked for 2019 while the infotainment received Apple CarPlay. 2021 introduced the convertible model and Android Auto. 2022 and 2023 each featured just minor suspension and steering tweaks. 2024 features a larger refresh that includes a brand new infotainment system, standard 21″ wheels, standard park assist, and additional color options.

Primary Criticisms

Major

None

Minor

  • It’s far too heavy and soft to be a good sports car, but the trunk is too tiny and the back seats too cramped for it to make a good GT car
  • The transmission isn’t bad, but it’s not as good as many of the automatics that its competitors use such as the ZF 8-speed
  • The infotainment in model years 2018-2023 is terrible
  • While undeniably beautiful, it still shares the same front fascia as every other Lexus

Warranty

Information is as of 2022 model year

New

  • Limited: 4 years/50,000 miles
  • Powertrain: 6 years/70,000 miles
  • Safety Restraint System: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion (Perforation Only): 6 years/unlimited miles
  • Emissions: 8 years/80,000 miles
  • Roadside Assistance: 4 years/unlimited miles
  • Loaner Vehicle: Yes (if vehicle will be at dealership for more than 8 hours for warrantable repairs)
  • Complimentary Maintenance: 1 year/10,000 miles – includes the next two factory recommended services for free (e.g. oil changes)
  • Accessories: 4 years/50,000 miles – covers genuine Lexus accessories included with the vehicle at time of purchase

Certified

  • Repair Deductible: $0 per visit
  • Limited: 2 years/unlimited miles from CPO purchase date or 6 years/unlimited miles from original in-service date (whichever occurs later)
  • Powertrain: 2 years/unlimited miles from CPO purchase date or 8 years/unlimited miles from original in-service date (whichever occurs later)
  • Roadside Assistance: Lasts for length of the warranty
  • Loaner Vehicle: Yes (if vehicle will be at dealership for more than 8 hours for warrantable repairs)
  • Rental Car: $50/day up to 5 days
  • Trip Reimbursement: $200/day lodging for 3 days
  • Complimentary Maintenance: 2 years/20,000 miles – includes the next four factory recommended services for free (e.g. oil changes)

LC 500

The LC 500 (non-h) version of the LC is the one to get. It features a 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 from Toyota with one of the most raunchy exhaust notes to come on a production street car. It is also lighter, cheaper, and more powerful (and therefore faster) than its hybrid sibling.

Options

There are several option packages available as of model year 2023:

  • All-Weather Package: heated leather-trimmed steering wheel, windshield wiper de-icer
  • Touring Package: all items in the All-Weather Package + semi-aniline leather-trimmed front seats, Alcantara-trimmed headliner, Mark Levinson 13-speaker 915-Watt stereo, park assist w/ auto braking
  • Sport Package: sport seats w/ Alcantara-trimmed inserts, Torsen limited-slip differential, Yamaha rear performance damper, park assist w/ auto braking, 21″ wheels, run-flat Michelin summer tires, performance brake pads
  • Dynamic Handling Package: all items in the Sport Package + active rear steering, variable gear-ratio steering, speed-activated rear wing, carbon-fiber door scuff plates, Alcantara-trimmed headliner, carbon-fiber roof

The following items are also available a la carte: Torsen limited-slip differential & Yamaha rear performance damper, heads-up display (HUD), Mark Levinson 13-speaker 915-Watt stereo, park assist w/ auto braking, carbon-fiber door scuff plates, 21″ wheels w/ run-flat Michelin summer tires.

Reviews



Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible (soft top)
  • Engine: Toyota 2UR-GSE – 5.0L V8
  • Horsepower: 471 hp
  • Torque: 398 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Aisin AWR10L65 10-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: RWD w/ open differential, Torsen limited slip differential is optional
  • Fuel Economy: 19 comb / 16 city / 25 hwy

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 4340 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 217.1 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 5.4 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $98850

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 4540 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 207.5 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 3.4 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $106350