The Lexus LC 500 V-8 coupe isn't for introverts. Its rakish styling gets stares, and its snarling exhaust prompts long glances.
The flagship LC 500 Lexus V-8 coupe comes as a $92,000 model with a mighty 471-horsepower V-8 or as a $96,510 gas-electric hybrid with 354 horsepower. I tested the hybrid and found it generally outstanding. But this time around I drove the V-8 gas-engine model, which we'll examine here.
The sophisticated, free-revving V-8 generates 398 pound/feet of torque and provides a 0-60 mp.h. time of 4.4 seconds and a claimed top speed of 168 miles per hour. The underbody is almost completely smooth for excellent aerodynamics.
If nothing else, the rear-drive LC 500 looks alluring, with a grille that has a unique mesh texture, sweeping roofline, prominent quarter panels that flare away from the center of the car and door panels that are pulled inward. The combination of a large glass panel and blacked-out rear pillars creates a floating roof appearance.
The LC 500 V-8 has the first 10-speed automatic transmission used in a luxury car. It operates quickly and smoothly and has magnesium paddles for manual shifting. The smooth transmission executes shifts at speeds rivaling dual-clutch transmissions and does such a good job that there's really no need for manual shifts during normal driving.
Premium fuel is required for the 21.7-gallon tank and estimated fuel economy is 16 miles per gallon on the city and 26 on highways. With 10 speeds, I found the transmission lets the V-8 loaf at about 1,800 r.p.m. at 65 m.p.h.
A driver can adjust the car via its Drive Mode Select feature for various driving modes, including economical, normal and sport-plus. He can even control the exhaust-sound level so he doesn't wake the neighbors up at 5 a.m. on his way to work. Sport-plus gives the car its best responsiveness.
Steering is nicely weighted and quick, with good road feel. The ride is quite good even in sport-plus mode, with the suspension easily soaking up road imperfections for comfortable long-distance drives. Lexus says the car has the stiffest unibody it has ever produced. The heavy duty brakes are controlled by a pedal with a firm, high engagement.
The LC 500 has sports car moves, although it weighs a hefty 4,280 pounds. It's a genuine fast, docile, high-speed "two-plus-two" (as they used say) luxury coupe. It has an adaptive variable suspension and a new platform designed for a low center of gravity to aid agility and enable more alluring vehicle designs. The car would weigh more except Lexus used aluminum for the hood, front fenders and door skins. Only the rear fenders are steel.
The low hood height is made possible by a double ball joint front suspension that allows for control of the smallest movements from driver inputs and the road surface, yielding more precise steering response with better initial effort.
There's plenty of interior luxury here, with sumptuous leather, attractive stitching throughout, microsuede and (optional) Alcantara material and carbon fiber door sills. The electroluminescent gauges can be quickly read. But the remote touchpad is rather clumsy, and the secondary dashboard area controls are too small to easily find when driving.
Doors are long and heavy, and door sills are wider than normal. However, one still can slide in and out without making unusual moves, and the doors have a handy grab feature to help close them.. The rear seats look great but are really just suited for small children. The modestly sized trunk has a high opening.
The heated and ventilated leather-trimmed power front seats provide good support. Those seats and the power adjustable steering wheel should help drivers of various sizes find a comfortable driving position. Still, the optional power sport seats are worth the extra money, holding you extremely well and comfortably at the same time.
You expect a lot from a top-line Lexus interior, and you get it with the LC 500. For instance, the super-quiet cabin has a pushbutton start/stop, automatic dual-zone climate control, backup monitor, Lexus premium audio system, cruise control, power windows with one-touch automatic open/close features. ..and so on.
My test car had options, including a heated steering wheel, Intuitive Park Assist, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, 21-inch forged wheels with run-flat tires, Mark Levinson premium surround system and a carbon fiber roof instead of the standard glass roof, limited-slip differential and active rear steering.
Standard safety features included a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection, all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane-keep assist and lane-departure alert, smart stop technology and LED daytime running lights. However, the "fasten-seat-belt" bell is annoying, and pulling the driver sun visor down a lot partly blocks the view through the small inside rearview mirror. The large outside mirrors provide good rear vision and fold flat against the side glass when the car is parked to prevent parking lot damage.
The LC 500 has premium craftsmanship and is so solidly built it feels as if it will last a very long time.
2018 Lexus LC 500 V-8
Price: $92,000
Pros - Rakish styling. Fast. Luxurious. Sharp handling. Nice ride.
Cons - Small rear seat. Long, heavy doors. Clumsy remote touchpad controller.
Bottom Line - Gorgeous, fast and luxurious.