History/Overview
Introduced in 2018, the Lexus LC is a prestige coupe that brings some near-exotic flair to the brand’s lineup of well-done but mostly sedate luxury vehicles. It’s Lexus’s flagship two-door model, sharing the distinction of a six-figure starting price with the big LS sedan.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
For 2021, Lexus brings a mix of functional and cosmetic updates to the LC.
Outside, there are new colour choices inside and out, and an updated 20-inch wheel design.
Mechanical changes include a revised suspension with weight-saving components and a smoother ride; the addition of active cornering assist, an electronic system that applies braking to the inside wheels during turns to improve high-speed handling; and reprogrammed transmissions that allow for stronger acceleration in enthusiastic driving.
Finally, the LC’s infotainment system now supports the Android Auto smartphone integration platform.
Available Trims
Lexus sells its posh coupe as the LC 500, and the gas-electric hybrid LC 500H. The LC 500 uses a 5.0L V8 and a conventional 10-speed automatic transmission, while the LC 500H pairs a 3.5L V6 with electric power and a multi-stage transmission that simulates 10 fixed gear ratios. Both versions of the LC feed power to the rear wheels.
Standard Features
The LC’s infotainment system consists of a 13-speaker stereo, a 10.3-inch display with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, a head-up driver display, and a digital gauge cluster.
Front-seat occupants get 10-way power adjustments with memory, semi-aniline leather upholstery, and heat and ventilation functions. There’s also dual-zone automatic climate control with the Lexus climate concierge, and a heated steering wheel with adjustable temperature control and power tilt-and-telescopic adjustments.
Outside, the LC comes dressed with 20-inch wheels and tires in staggered sizes (wider at the rear), triple-beam LED auto-leveling headlights, LED tail-, cornering and daytime running lights, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors with memory, a windshield wiper de-icer, direct spray arm wipers, and a glass roof with sun shade.
The hybrid LC 500H adds variable gear ratio steering, four-wheel active steering, sport seats with eight-way adjustments, an alcantara headliner, carbon fibre door scuff plates, 21-inch wheels and tires, an active sport differential, a retractable rear spoiler, and a carbon fibre roof.
Every LC comes with a full suite of active safety and driver assists comprising blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, intuitive parking assist, forward collision detection with automatic braking, automatic high beams, radar cruise control, and lane departure alert with steering assist.
Key Options
The LC’s sole option is a sport package for the LC 500. It adds a number of features that are standard in the LC 500H – variable gear ratio steering, four-wheel active steering, sport seats with eight-way adjustments, an alcantara headliner, carbon fibre door scuff plates, 21-inch wheels and tires, an active sport differential, a retractable rear spoiler, and a carbon fibre roof – and further brings seats trimmed in alcantara and leather and rear performance dampers.
Fuel Economy
Lexus’s fuel consumption estimates for the LC 500 are 15.1/9.6 L/100 km (city/highway), and 9.6/7.1 for the hybrid LC 500H.
Competition
The Lexus LC’s price and performance promises line it up against a number of German grand tourers, including the BMW 8 Series and M8, Audi’s S7 and RS7, and the Mercedes-Benz E 63.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
