The attention-grabbing Lexus LC offers supercar aesthetics and performance for a cost well below many competitors. The LC is available in coupe or roadster form and competes with the Mercedes-Benz SL and Jaguar F-Type. Its a remarkable style declaration with striking grand-touring performance, while functionality takes a back seat to its sporty looks. For 2023, Lexus assures that a few suspension modifications will enhance the LC’s driving dynamics for the upcoming year. An optional performance bundle gains a limited-slip differential and improved brakes, as well.
Few new vehicles deliver the visual impact of the Lexus LC. It’s as stylish as ever, despite this basic design being around for a couple of years now. The LC still resembles a show car, partly because it imitates the sensational LFA supercar from a few years back. It’s breathtaking. While the spindle grille at the front might not appeal to everyone, there’s no denying the harmonious combination of the LC’s shapely lines and its angular details. Roadsters are attractive with their tops down, but a bit fussy with them up.
Composed, potent, and refined, the 2023 Lexus LC is a pleasure to drive. The 2023 Lexus LC merges grand touring comfort with adept responses, exhilarating acceleration, and an exceptional sense of overall composure. All Lexus LC coupes are rear-wheel drive. The LC 500—both coupe and droptop versions—accelerates quickly thanks to its 471-hp 5.0-liter V-8. The 10-speed automatic swiftly shifts through gears, though opting for the additional limited-slip rear differential is recommended for optimal grip even from a standstill. Opt for the available sport exhaust and the LC 500’s V-8 really growls its way to 60 mph in about 4.4 seconds.
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The LC 500h pairs a 3.5-liter V-6 with an electric motor and a battery pack for a net output of 354 hp. Performance is remarkably consistent thanks to the clever CVT and 4-speed automatic gearbox that mesh together for almost EV-grade smoothness. Even with all that weight to haul around, the LC feels agile. It’s well-balanced, with excellent steering feel for navigating a twisty road. Even on the track, the LC can impress. We’re less fond of the available rear-wheel steering system. It does its job, but it comes at a high price.
The LC 500h is a guilt-free sports car, but it can be sensational. The LC 500h is rated at an impressive 26 mpg city, 34 highway, 29 combined. The LC 500, however, is a gas guzzler. It’s rated at 16/25/19 mpg as a coupe, or 15/25/18 mpg as a droptop, which isn’t available as a hybrid. The 2023 Lexus LC has not undergone crash tests. We can’t confirm the safety of the LC since neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has subjected this pretty coupe to testing. Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warnings, and blind-spot monitors, while a head-up display and an automatic parking system are optional. What you won’t find is any of the hands-off technology seen in some newer competitors.
The LC is also stunning on the inside. The dashboard controls are oriented towards the driver, with a wide display taking center stage. Particularly notable is the fact that nearly every panel can be wrapped in exquisite semi-aniline leather. We would prefer ours in Toasted Caramel. Practicality takes a back seat to aesthetics in the Lexus LC. The 2023 Lexus LC’s interior is beautiful, but it’s certainly not spacious. Materials and fit and finish easily justify this car’s substantial pricing.
The front seats provide all-day comfort and ample power adjustment. The rear seats have seat belts, but they’re truly more suited for stowing small items. And those items should be small and flexible, since accessing the second row is a challenge. The trunk’s five-cubic-foot capacity is sufficient for a carry-on suitcase, making it small even by sporty coupe standards.
Lexus equips the LC with an array of features, but it’s not as extravagant as some rivals. The 2023 Lexus LC includes everything one would expect from a vehicle that starts at around $5,000. It comes with leather upholstery, seats with a wide range of adjustment, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and plenty of driver-assistance features. It even comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty with two years of complimentary maintenance. However, its options list is modest for a high-end model. Whether coupe or convertible? Droptops are only available in LC 500 spec and begin at $106,350.
Either way, we’d opt for the base car and add a more attractive paint option along with the $5,010 Sport Package that includes synthetic suede inserts for the seats, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, automated parking, 21-inch wheels, and improved brakes. Expect to pay just under six figures for a coupe and a few thousand more for a convertible. An LC 500h with rear-wheel steering, Mark Levinson audio, and a few other enhancements will surpass $115,000. You can spend more with Lexus’ Bespoke option that offers a slightly higher level of customization.
The 2023 Lexus LC earns one of our highest recommendations for being a superb vehicle in every aspect, a true world-class GT. If you’re in the market for a luxury GT, then look no further than the Lexus LC since it performs exceptionally well across the board. In addition to offering stunning design and adrenaline-pumping performance, it also provides one distinguishing feature that other competitors can’t match; the Lexus experience and unmatched reliability.
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