2024 Lexus LC 500 evaluate

It is a very particular automotive that will fly beneath the radar if you happen to’re a little bit of a badge snob.

The Lexus LC has been the model’s flagship sports activities automotive and grand tourer for quite a lot of years now. It was first revealed in 2016, and launched in Australia initially in coupe type in 2017.

The flagship convertible on check right here was revealed in 2019 and launched regionally in 2020. This specific variant has solely been supplied in Australia with the roaring 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 co-developed with Yamaha.

Just like the LS flagship limousine the LC is a particular order automotive in Australia, that means you possibly can’t purchase one willy nilly. You must focus on the shopping for course of together with your seller as a substitute, and wait a contact longer for it to reach.

For 2024 Lexus has handled the LC to a minor replace bringing quite a lot of new options, in addition to a value rise to match.

Headlining the replace is Lexus’ newest 12.3-inch infotainment system which provides assist for wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Different tweaks embrace the introduction of related providers, extra security tools, and a revised exterior paint color palette.

Such a automotive doesn’t make logical sense to purchase, however it’s some of the reasonably priced grand tourers to nonetheless provide a naturally aspirated V8 engine. How does it fare in 2024? Learn alongside to seek out out.

How does the Lexus LC examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Lexus LC towards equally sized autos.

Lexus

LC

How a lot does the Lexus LC price?

The Lexus LC vary just lately obtained an replace that introduced with it a value rise.

On check right here is the flagship LC 500 Convertible that’s presently the third most-expensive Lexus supplied in Australia behind the LM 500h Extremely Luxurious ($220,888 earlier than on-roads) and LX 600 Extremely Luxurious ($219,061 earlier than on-roads).

2024 Lexus LC pricing

• 2024 Lexus LC 500 Coupe: $204,635 (+$4704)
• 2024 Lexus LC 500h Coupe: $212,727 (+$19,704)
• 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible: $218,242 (+$4704)

Costs are earlier than on-road prices

To see how the LC compares with its rivals, use our comparability device.

What’s the Lexus LC like on the within?

Strolling as much as the Lexus LC 500 Convertible you’re conscious you’ve bought the keys to one thing very particular. The automotive seems completely stunning in and out – there’s no denying that.

The hidden door handles could initially confuse your passengers. They come out whenever you first unlock the automotive however after some time they shut shut once more. You must both push the deal with out or click on the unlock button to get them to look once more.

As this automotive is a grand tourer (GT), it’s inherently low-slung which implies it is advisable step down a good method when hopping in. The ground sill can also be fairly excessive which makes climbing out a little bit of a activity. These with restricted mobility ought to actually check out if you may get out and in of this automotive.

That is the type of automotive you purchase to make an look and infrequently straining your self throughout ingress and egress ruins that fantasy fully.

One thing else it is advisable account for when hopping out and in is how giant the doorways are. All through my week-long mortgage I needed to maintain my hand towards the door many occasions to make sure it didn’t hit the automotive parked subsequent to me as a result of it wouldn’t open far sufficient to lock into its first place.

When you’re in you’re hit within the face with a pleasing leather-based scent. There’s leather-based in all places within the cabin, together with the door playing cards, and seemingly all the pieces that isn’t leather-based is high-quality steel or plastic as a substitute. No corners have been reduce on this automotive.

As customary there are beautiful-looking semi-aniline leather-accented seats which have an inoffensive stitched design. Our tester was completed in black which is probably the most mainstream and arguably probably the most boring, particularly when there are ochre and white-and-blue two-tone choices on provide.

The entrance seats are tremendous squishy and cozy with loads of facet bolstering securing you in. It’s price calling out my decrease again did initially get sore after driving to and from the workplace, however after fidgeting with the lumbar assist I managed to discover a comfy spot.

Visibility from the driving force’s seat is usually a little restricted when it’s set low and the convertible roof is up. Fortunately you possibly can negate this drawback by opening the convertible roof, which I did more often than not we had the LC – why not?

As anticipated the entrance seats are each heated and ventilated. The previous is crucial whenever you’re driving with the convertible tender high folded down in cooler climate.

There’s additionally a neck heater as customary which does just like the identify suggests and retains your neck heat in cooler climate. That is considered one of my favorite options within the LC 500 Convertible if you happen to overlook the V8 engine.

One minor gripe I’ve about this automotive are the seat heating/air flow, steering wheel heating, and neck heater capabilities are managed by means of the infotainment system. Positive there’s a shortcut button on the centre tunnel, however it is advisable prod on the touchscreen to vary the settings.

I’d a lot desire bodily buttons for these options given there are buttons for loads of different capabilities within the automotive.

Forward of the driving force is a steering wheel that appears very acquainted if you happen to’ve pushed any current Lexus automotive. It’s wrapped in clean and tender leather-based, as to be anticipated, and presents heating.

All of the buttons on the steering wheel are bodily ones which have a satisfying click on and are logically positioned. There’s no studying curve right here.

Behind the steering wheel is a digital instrument cluster that’s beginning to look a contact dated amongst its high-tech rivals, however nonetheless has cool animations whenever you activate the automotive and alter drive modes. These maintain it wanting considerably recent, and the motorised digital rev counter is a neat nod to the legendary LFA supercar.

On high of the dashboard is head-up show that’s so vibrant sufficient it may be seen even with polarised sun shades on. It importantly shows your present pace in digital type, but additionally a digital rev gauge.

Transferring throughout the LC lastly receives a touchscreen infotainment system. This new 12.3-inch unit replaces the outdated 10.3-inch show that didn’t assist contact performance.

The brand new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system ought to look acquainted if you happen to’ve pushed a current Lexus or Toyota mannequin. It’s vibrant and seems to be high-resolution, plus its person interface is very easy to navigate.

The trackpad, whether or not you really liked it or hated it, is now gone with this replace. As a replacement is a big spherical quantity dial, in addition to switches for the monitor and quantity. The analogue clock on the dashboard additionally bought the chop with this replace.

As customary the LC now receives wi-fi Apple CarPlay, although it nonetheless solely has wired Android Auto. With my iPhone 15 Professional Max related wirelessly I had just one or two dropouts throughout my week-long mortgage, which isn’t nice however not sudden.

One catch is there’s no wi-fi charger within the LC which implies your cellphone battery will rapidly drain if you happen to’re occurring longer street journeys (which you’ll undoubtedly wish to do on this automotive). To negate this you’ll must plug your cellphone right into a USB port within the small centre cubby field to maintain its battery topped up.

Satellite tv for pc navigation comes as customary, which is nice for when your cellphone runs out of service and you continue to want to seek out your method house. It’s additionally now related to the web, which implies you get reside visitors too.

As I famous above, the LC’s inside is top-notch with no cheap-feeling plastic or shiny piano black finishes in sight. Each button is damped, together with the local weather management ones which have a satisfying click on noise when pressed.

There are covers for all the pieces, together with the cupholders, which have a soft-close perform that feels premium. My favorite lid is the one for the convertible controls which operates a bit like a missile strike flap.

Storage is at a premium within the LC even earlier than you have a look at the second row. There are solely two cupholders – one is in entrance of the gear selector and one other usually hidden by the sliding centre cubby lid – plus the door bins are tiny.

There are technically two rear seats within the LC however they really feel extra like a formality and someplace you’ll throw further stuff that doesn’t match within the boot. I say this as a result of with the driving force’s seat set to my desired place it butted up towards the rear seat.

For the sake of it I attempted to get into the second row and struggled huge time. The seat itself is rock strong and really upright, plus there’s no legroom, and with the convertible roof up headroom could be very restricted.

Fortunately you possibly can alleviate this final level by retracting the convertible roof.

Across the again, the LC 500 Convertible’s boot is laughably small. Lexus quotes an official boot capability determine of 149 litres.

If you wish to carry a set of golf golf equipment, they’ll should go on the rear seats – even my compact work backpack wanted to be laid flat to suit.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The Lexus LC 500 continues to be powered a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine co-developed with Yamaha. A V6 hybrid possibility can also be nonetheless out there, although it’s solely supplied within the coupe physique fashion.

To see how the LC compares with its rivals, use our comparability device.

How does the Lexus LC drive?

Beginning up the Lexus LC 500 Convertible the 5.0-litre V8 engine roars to life with a 2000rpm flare that’s very addictive. It’s loud sufficient that your neighbours will pay attention to your presence, however not too loud that they’ll hate you.

After warming up a tad the V8 engine does idle down and produces a good looking understated sound. It appears like a extremely refined beast simply ready to be let off the leash.

In the event you begin driving whereas the engine continues to be warming as much as working temperature the revs are restricted so that you don’t do any harm. Fortunately this doesn’t current any points in on a regular basis driving.

As soon as you ultimately let this beast of its chain the V8 makes a hovering noise that rips all the best way to redline. Revving from about 4500-5000rpm and past appears like an orchestra of trumpets reaching a crescendo.

The inherent naturally aspirated induction noise on full throttle can also be intoxicating and makes you wish to bury the throttle each time you prove of a nook. This Darth Vader-like noise is turning into rarer within the age of small displacement turbo and hybridised powertrains.

One of many defining elements about this specific automotive is its soft-top convertible roof. It’s in a position to open and shut hydraulically at speeds as much as 50km/h which could be very helpful if you happen to meet a patch of rain on the transfer.

Opening the convertible roof additionally lets you hear the LC 500’s clear, exact V8 grumble extra clearly. I attempted to do that as usually as potential when driving throughout my week-long mortgage regardless of the climate being cooler. That is when all the warmers had been put to make use of.

Due to the LC 500’s lively exhaust, you’re in a position to dial up the quantity of noise you hear relying in your throttle enter. Simply beware although as a result of if you happen to’re not cautious the rear tyres will spin if you happen to’re grasping with the accelerator at low speeds – fortunately the traction management will maintain you in test.

There are additionally loads of drive modes to select from – Regular, Eco, Consolation, Sport, Sport S, and Particular person – which modify the calibration of the engine, transmission and suspension, amongst different capabilities.

With 351kW and 540Nm you undoubtedly received’t be struggling for energy or torque. You’ll simply be pulling forward of virtually any automotive on the visitors lights, although that’s not the intention of this automotive. It’s extra of a clean and easy cruiser. That is consultant of how the 10-speed automated transmission operates.

There are many gear ratios for the transmission to select from that means the revs might be left simply above idle and it may possibly nonetheless speed up at a good tempo with out dropping down a gear.

I did expertise some clunky moments when taking off within the LC 500 and in addition when going again to first gear. I’m unsure if these are only a quirks of the torquey and sturdy engine and transmission mixture.

When cruising round city the best way the transmission initially holds its gear for engine braking, earlier than slicing within the torque converter to roll to a cease, would generally create a jerking motion. It’s not world-ending however is noticeable from the driving force’s seat.

At low speeds the LC 500’s steering is gentle and direct, making it enjoyable to chuck round. Surprisingly the experience can also be very compliant regardless of its 21-inch solid alloy wheels with very low-profile tyres. It may be agency over harsh bumps however floats over the bulk.

You need to use the drive modes to dial up how the suspension reacts to bumps. Consolation glides over virtually each single bump effortlessly and makes you’re feeling such as you’re on a cloud, whereas Sport stiffens issues up – however not an excessive amount of.

As customary there are entrance and rear parking sensors, in addition to a surround-view digicam. The latter is a brand new function that was launched with the most recent replace.

The LC 500 Convertible is an enormous automotive to park, there’s no method round it. Fortunately the surround-view digicam and parking sensors do make this simpler. It’s additionally good the facet mirrors dip when you choose reverse so that you don’t kerb a wheel unintentionally.

Rear visibility with the convertible roof up is a little bit restricted which makes checking your blind spots a tad troublesome. Fortunately folding down permits for limitless rearward visibility.

Build up the tempo on this grand tourer could be very simple to do. You do want to concentrate to the speedometer as a result of the sign-posted pace restrict will creep up on you in a short time.

At increased speeds on winding roads is the place the LC 500 Convertible comes into its factor. It’s even higher whenever you’ve bought the roof folded down since you get the air movement. Fortunately it’s not too windy contained in the cabin as there’s a wind deflector.

The LC 500 Convertible might be very dynamic if pushed with intent. The automotive feels rock strong within the twisties and has sufficient grip to be correctly fast.

It’s finest in these dynamic driving moments to activate the handbook transmission mode and take management your self. The automotive makes among the finest noises I’ve ever heard near redline. It’s virtually like a drug since you maintain wanting to listen to it.

In the event you’ve bought a passenger onboard nevertheless they mightn’t get pleasure from how unsettling the dynamic driving might be. Fortunately you possibly can choose the Consolation driving mode and issues cool down in a short time.

On the security entrance the LC 500 Convertible’s adaptive cruise management isn’t the brightest. Lexus claims it has been made extra succesful with the inclusion of pace signal help which permits for straightforward switching between set speeds utilizing the steering wheel buttons.

That is useful however the adaptive cruise management system nonetheless received’t brake whenever you’re going downhill. It’ll simply bing and bong incessantly till you decelerate naturally or by urgent the brake pedal. Many techniques can do that now, or can drop a gear and utilise engine braking extra effectively.

The adaptive cruise management additionally brakes closely when a automotive merges in forward of you. This creates a jarring feeling behind the wheel which makes you not wish to use the cruise management except you’re on an open street with none vehicles.

The automotive’s lane-keep help perform can also be agency with the way it jerks on the steering wheel. It additionally will get a little bit confused on winding roads which makes me desire to not use it. I a lot fairly take management and correctly drive such a good looking automotive.

Lastly, the LC 500 Convertible has some actually vibrant LED headlights. These are actually helpful if you happen to’re driving in rural and regional areas at nighttime and are on the look out for animals on the facet of the street.

The one catch is the LED headlights don’t have a matrix or adaptive high-beam perform. There’s auto high-beam however it solely turns all the gentle both on or off.

What do you get?

The 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is out there in a single fully-loaded variant.

Lexus LC 500 Convertible highlights:

• 21-inch solid alloy wheels
• Hydraulic soft-top roof
• Wind deflector
• Bi-LED headlights
• Automated high-beam
• Flush door handles
• Lively exhaust
• Adaptive variable suspension
• Entrance efficiency dampers
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired, wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• Color head-up show
• 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
• Sensible key card
• Lively Noise Management
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Neck heater
• Heated leather-accented steering wheel
• Leather-based-accented gear selector
• Paddle shifters
• Sports activities pedals
• Chrome steel scuff plates
• Semi-aniline leather-accented upholstery
• 10-way energy entrance seats
• Driver seat place reminiscence
• Heated and ventilated entrance seats

The next exterior paint colors can be found as no-cost choices:

• White Nova
• Sonic Iridium
• Graphite Black
• Sonic Chrome
• Sonic Titanium
• Infrared
• Sonic Copper
• Cobalt Mica
• Zinnia Yellow
• Khaki Metallic

There are 4 totally different Semi-aniline leather-accented inside trim finishes together with Black, Darkish Rose, Ochre and White/Blue. A black tender high is customary although you possibly can go for a beige tender high if you happen to get the Ochre inside, or a blue tender high if you happen to get the White/Blue inside.

To see how the LC compares with its rivals, use our comparability device.

Is the Lexus LC secure?

The Lexus LC has by no means been crash examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP and therefore is unrated.

The next security tools is customary throughout the vary:

• 6 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bike owner detection (daytime)
  • Junction help
• Pop-up bonnet
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane Hint Help (lane maintain help, lane centring)
• Emergency steering help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Velocity signal recognition
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Encompass-view digicam

The 2024 Lexus LC vary now additionally features a complimentary three-year subscription to Lexus Related Providers.

With the assistance of an in-built information communication module (DCM) and the Lexus Related smartphone app, house owners can view the odometer studying, gasoline stage, distance to empty, current journey info, and the automobile’s final recognized location.

Homeowners also can remotely test the open/shut standing of the doorways, home windows, bonnet and boot. The app also can push a notification if any of those are left open or the hazard lights are left on. Different related service options embrace remotely beginning the engine, in addition to locking and unlocking the doorways and boot.

How a lot does the Lexus LC price to run?

The Lexus LC vary is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Logbook servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. The primary 5 providers are capped at $695 every. All Lexus LC consumers additionally obtain a three-year complimentary subscription to Encore Platinum.

Lexus Encore Platinum highlights:

• Lexus on Demand (as much as 6 days, for 4 occasions)
• Valet parking (eight occasions)
• Airport lounge entry (4 passes)
• Roadside help
• Service mortgage automotive
• Ampol gasoline reductions
• Unique occasion invites
• Unique presents

CarExpert’s Tackle the Lexus LC

There’s no getting round it; the Lexus LC 500 Convertible is an extremely particular automotive that introduced such an enormous smile to my face each time the V8 engine began, or when the revs flared on a downshift.

It has folks in different vehicles and pedestrians snapping their necks to try this magnificence. I do know styling is subjective however for a automotive that was first revealed in 2016 to nonetheless look this good eight years later is a testomony to Lexus’ design group.

That is the kind of automotive that makes you’re feeling particular each time you press the beginning button. I do know the age of brand-new naturally aspirated V8 sports activities vehicles and grand tourers received’t be round for for much longer and I’m glad I used to be in a position to take in this second whereas it lasted.

There are particular catches that include proudly owning a automotive like this. First is the asking value, which just lately went up, and the very fact it’s a special-order automotive means you’ll be ready some time for it to reach.

Area can also be at a premium regardless of the automotive’s hulking proportions. Second-row house is just about nonexistent and the boot doesn’t accomodate greater than a tender in a single day bag.

Whereas we’re being boring and sensible, the LC 500 carry different advantages past its musical V8. Lexus’ Encore Platinum subscription for instance makes you’re feeling such as you get a correct VIP expertise befitting a flagship luxurious automotive, and the up to date infotainment with related providers is a welcome (however overdue) inclusion.

No matter all of this nevertheless the Lexus LC 500 Convertible isn’t the kind of automotive you purchase together with your head, however fairly your coronary heart.

Positive I felt like the final word retiree from behind the wheel, and the V8’s thirst for premium petrol harm my pocket, however each time I buried the throttle I used to be reminded simply how a lot I liked this iconic automotive.

Click on the pictures for the total gallery

MORE: Purchase a Lexus LC
MORE: All the things Lexus LC