Lexus LC 500 reviews: Can it rival the GT giants?
Are a striking design and luxurious cabin enough to challenge the likes of Maserati?
Lexus has another new car hitting British roads this year, as its LC 500 looks to join the highly-competitive premium grand touring market.
The LC 500 and LC 500h replace the RC F as the company's range-topping grand touring car, with its angular styling and optional high-tech hybrid powertrain marking a significant step the Japanese carmaker has made from the outgoing model.
It's one of Lexus's most striking and stylish coupes to date, but is it enough to rival the likes of the BMW 6 Series and Maserati GranTurismo?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Here's what the critics had to say:
Performance
Under the LC 500's long bonnet sits a 471bhp 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 motor derived from the car's RC F predecessor, says AutoExpress.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a ten-speed automatic gearbox designed to help drivers "develop a rhythm in brisk driving".
Gear changes "are swift and best actuated using the large paddles behind the steering wheel", the magazine says, although "they're still not quite as seamless as the best dual-clutch gearboxes".
The hybrid LC 500h variant is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine that is paired to a 132kW (177bhp) electric motor, says Car.
Hybrid models also comes with an intricate E-CVT transmission that has "three distinct ratios", the magazine says. This is coupled to a four-speed automatic gearbox, which effectively gives drivers ten speeds to choose from.
These comprise "three from the E-CVT" which are "multiplied by three from the shift device for nine and the final ratio from the latter performs as an overdrive gear".
Interior
On the inside, the LC 500 is full of materials that "feel expensive" and the cabin as a whole looks "well put together", says AutoExpress. Its "aluminium door handles that seem to float in the Alcantara-trimmed doors" are a standout-feature, as are "the outstandingly comfortable seats".
In front of the driver, "sits a TFT instrument display with a central rev counter", the magazine says. It is flanked by "a pair of rotary controls sprout from either side of the instrument binnacle".
"It feels spectacularly premium without even a hint of the stodginess or borderline midlife crisis vibe found in other upscale GT competitors," says Business Insider.
However, the website says the backseats are "not really suitable for grown-ups", but this is often the case with four-seater grand tourers.
On the road
Under its sleek and stylish exterior is a "good chassis" that gives the LC 500 "a very agile feel through tight corners and a reassuring stability at higher speeds", says AutoExpress.
While more steering feedback wouldn't go amiss, the magazine says "there’s enough to get an idea of what the front tyres are doing." It adds that "there's plenty of grip, too".
Having a naturally aspirated V8 at your disposal gives you the impression that the car has a "bottomless well of power", says Business Insider. It makes the car feel "very relaxing", as you have the confidence that car can instantly deliver more power.
The V8 helps give the LC 500 and LC 500h a shot at competing with grand touring class leaders such as the BMW 6 Series and Maserati GranTurismo, says Car.
Recumbu https://recombu.com/cars/article/lexus-lc-500-vs-lc-500h-is-the-v8-or-hybrid-best-for-me says fans wanting a traditional grand touring car with a roaring engine should opt for the V8 model, as the V6 hybrid motor in the LC 500h doesn't have the same sense of occasion.
Price and release
Orders for the LC 500 are open now, says Car, with prices starting from £80,595.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published