Login
My Garage
New hero

Lexus LC 500 Sport+ Pack (2020 - )

The exquisite Lexus LC series is the flagship model in the Japanese carmaker’s line-up and just one glance in its direction will tell you why.

Starting price:
£104,930 (before options)

Pros:
  • Sensational 5.0-litre V8 engine
  • Beautifully designed inside and out
  • Fabulous to drive in any setting
Cons:
  • Pricey at £100k-plus and expensive running costs too
  • Infotainment system’s touchpad is so dated
  • Cramped in the back
Secure your test drive today
Request a Lexus LC test drive

Introduction

Lexus LC 500 Sport+ Pack

The exquisite Lexus LC series is the flagship model in the Japanese carmaker’s line-up and just one glance in its direction will tell you why. It oozes class, elegance and dynamism with its beautiful streamlined body and the performance is there to match.

The LC is available in coupe or convertible style and they certainly represent the very best Lexus can offer in design, engineering and craftsmanship.

There is a choice of engine too with the coupe offered featuring a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid or V8-powered 5.0-litre unit and the convertible available with just the V8. There is only one trim level, but customers can introduce a whole range of optional packs to fully personalise their car.

Lexus LC 500 Sport+ Pack

The LC Coupe’s looks are immediately recognisable as being a faithful reinterpretation styling-wise of the LF-LC concept that was unveiled back in 2012. It boasts luxury coupe proportions with an athletic profile characterized by its sweeping roofline that tapers rearwards to create a distinctive silhouette.

Our test car featured a carbon fibre roof, 21-inch forged alloy wheels, LED headlights with Automatic High Beam and follow-me-home function, multi-LED turn indicators, LED daytime running lights, a retractable rear spoiler and F Sport White paintwork.

Moving inside, the cockpit is compact but cleverly designed to maximise the available space. The sports seats and steering wheel are power-operated with memory settings. The seats provide excellent support and can be heated or ventilated while the steering wheel can also be heated. Elsewhere there are carbon fibre scuff plates, a leather gear lever trim, analogue clock, dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming frameless rear-view mirror.

The main focal point is the 10.3-inch display with navigation, a DVD player and reversing camera. The on-board tech includes a 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Sound System (£1,000 extra) a Head-up display with Card Key (£1,250 extra) plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth and a DAB radio.

And with such power and pace on tap, it’s worth keeping an eye on the eight-inch tft display behind the wheel.

However, on the downside, the touchpad that is the main access point to the infotainment system is incredibly clunky and dated. It really is the car’s low point.

On The Road

Lexus LC 500 Sport+ Pack

Handling & Performance

As we hurtle at seemingly breakneck speed towards a greener future with electrified motoring all the rage, it’s somewhat comforting to get behind the wheel of a vehicle driven by a high-revving, naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 petrol unit that delivers 457bhp and 530Nm of torque.

With a soundtrack to match the power, this rear-wheel drive beauty can sprint from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and maxes out at 168mph.  

The coupe styling of the LC 500 means it boasts a low centre of gravity and that results in balanced and ultra-assured handling with excellent grip in and out of tighter bends. This is made possible thanks to the Torsen limited-slip differential which is standard on our test car. It allows the driver to accelerate while cornering and works in tandem with the Dynamic Rear Steering system for added stability and agility.

The acceleration through the recently-improved Direct Shift 10-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive with bundles of power on tap to overtake at a moment’s notice. 

There are steering wheel-mounted paddles for added fun and the drive modes called Eco, Comfort, Sport S, Spirt S+, Normal and Custom alter the car’s reactions. There is also a Snow setting for added grip.

The steering has also been revised for the latest model offering improved feel and, by shedding almost 10kg in weight thanks to changes to the suspension, the LC feels more agile and responsive than its predecessor.

Lexus LC 500 Sport+ Pack

Space & Practicality

The Lexus LC 500 Coupe 2+2 stretches 4,770mm in length, is 2,168mm across (with mirrors) and 1,345mm tall. It has a wheelbase of 2,870mm and a kerbweight just under two tonnes.

The very nature of the car being a sports coupe means that although there are rear seats, in reality they are only suitable to throw a jacket or bag on. Yes, you could fit passengers in them, but don’t expect to remain on their Christmas card list if you do.

The boot, accessed via an electric lid, is quite compact too with a capacity of just 197 litres, but those back seats can come in handy if you need extra storage space.

In addition, there are some practical compartments scattered throughout the cabin. These include a glovebox that drops down at the push of a button, a deep cubby bin, door pockets, trays and a cup holder.

With its wide-opening doors you do need to be careful where you park as it will easily be blocked in at a supermarket car park. And let’s face it, no matter how far away you park, someone will always pull up alongside you!

Ownership

Lexus LC 500 Sport+ Pack

Running Costs

The Lexus LC 500 and LC 500h line-up costs from £92,820 to £107,820 with a wealth of optional extras that can be introduced by customers.

Our test car – the LC500 Sport+ Pack was priced at £104,920, but the Mark Levinson Premium Sound System and Head-up display with Card Key resulted in a final price-tag of £107,770. Not cheap by any means, but this is a car that will hold its value and also stand out from mainstream rivals.

When it comes to the day-to-day running costs, the test car could deliver a combined 24.3mpg so expect regular trips to fill up. The official carbon emissions figure of 262g/km would result in the highest possible first-year road tax bill of £2,365, but this would drop to the standard £165 fee after 12 months. However, the expense does not end there. As the Lexus LC 500 costs in excess of £40k it falls into the government’s premium car category and that means owners will need to pay an extra £355 for five years from years two to six.

For business users, the Benefit in Kind rating is 37 per cent and the test car sits in insurance group 49.

Lexus has an excellent reputation for reliability and the LC 500 should provide thousands upon thousands of trouble-free motoring. While it comes with a standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty this can be extended free of charge up to 10 years or 100,000 miles provided the car is serviced regularly at an authorised Lexus workshop.

 

Verdict

Lexus LC 500 Sport+ Pack

The Toyota and Lexus name is generally associated with the development of outstanding hybrid engines and it has been a world leader in recent decades.

But it’s encouraging to see the Japanese manufacturer is still producing beautifully-crafted coupe and convertible models powered by huge 5.0-litre V8 engines. 

The Lexus LC 500 is a very desirable 2+2 coupe that will be on any driving purist’s wish-list – if not now, then certainly in years to come. 

Secure your test drive today
Request a Lexus LC test drive
By Maxine Ashford
Feb 27, 2023

Similar Reviews

Bentley Bentayga (2020 - )
Bentley shows how to make a luxury SUV both upmarket and engaging in one well-rounded package

Regit review

9 / 10 Read review

New from

£ 155,555 Get advice
Porsche 911 Carrera T (2019 - )
The arrival of the new lightweight Carrera T is likely to prove another resounding success for Porsche thanks to its performance and...

Regit review

9 / 10 Read review

New from

£ 98,620 Get advice
Porsche Cayenne (2023 - )
The Cayenne is still a premium five-door, five-seat SUV that’s very big on practicality while still living up to the Porsche name when it...

Regit review

8 / 10 Read review

New from

£ 73,355 Get advice