Lexus LC 500
Concept-car looks, naturally aspirated V8 — the GT Lexus dared to build.
56 reviewers · 146 videos · 45 hours watched · 1 press article
Reviewers are split on performance and handling.
across 56 reviewers
"Every time I get on that gas, on that throttle after 4,000 RPM, it is just absolute bliss."
ShootingCars · ▶ 6:48"in terms of 60 to 130 the car posted a lukewarm 13.30 seconds"
SpeedLabs // MotorEnvy · ▶ 10:13"Even though they are rearwheel drive, they feel incredibly planted. You have so much confidence in this car."
ShootingCars · ▶ 5:01"the weight overcomes the handling of this car every time"
EverydayDriver · ▶ 10:32"This car is so incredibly good in every single way. It's amazingly comfortable. Every little nook and cranny is well thought of."
ShootingCars · ▶ 21:33"the rest of the car will not cooperate as far as giving me a feeling of raw driving enthusiasm"
EverydayDriver · ▶ 7:04"it is by far the most comfortable and luxurious and probably Grand tourer worthy option in our lineup"
TheTopher · ▶ 0:48"This is a 5 cubic foot trunk and it is tiny."
TFLnow · ▶ 3:57"This is a steep one, but like I said, every single scent is worth it for this car. This is the best car on sale right now."
ShootingCars · ▶ 25:11"for $8000 more I'd like to think that the cheaper car wouldn't have significant performance advantages"
Engineering Explained · ▶ 5:38Performance
4.0/555 of 56 reviewerssplit“Every time I get on that gas, on that throttle after 4,000 RPM, it is just absolute bliss.”
positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 6:48“This is powered by a 5 L naturally aspirated V8. 471 horsepower, 398 lb feet of torque.”
positive · TopherDrives · ▶ 5:06“This glorious V8 makes 471 horsepower at 7,100 RPM and 398 pounds of torque that peaks at 4,800 RPM.”
positive · Brian Makse · ▶ 0:42Handling
3.5/555 of 56 reviewerssplit“the weight overcomes the handling of this car every time”
critical · EverydayDriver · ▶ 10:32“on the very first corner I took it on the track the balance felt off. The rear end didn’t want to cooperate, and as a result my cornering speed suffered.”
critical · Engineering Explained · ▶ 0:25“The steering is a little bit numb, not the most direct. The ratio also feels slower than the NSX's.”
mixed · Zygrene · ▶ 22:11Fun to drive
4.5/555 of 56 reviewerssplit“This car is so incredibly good in every single way. It's amazingly comfortable. Every little nook and cranny is well thought of.”
positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 21:33“Okay, this is the best sounding car of the year. I think from the inside outside, the best tone.”
positive · TheStraightPipes · ▶ 1:25“it's just the most charismatic engine on sale I think right now”
positive · Extra Throttle House · ▶ 5:55Daily drivability
4.5/555 of 56 reviewerssplit“it is by far the most comfortable and luxurious and probably Grand tourer worthy option in our lineup”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 0:48“The ride is so good it's very good”
positive · Extra Throttle House · ▶ 5:14“I've done crosscountry drives. I actually drove an LC500 from Chicago, Illinois to Niagara Falls, Canada, and back... And I was supremely comfortable the entire time.”
positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 12:24Value
4.0/555 of 56 reviewerssplit“This is a steep one, but like I said, every single scent is worth it for this car. This is the best car on sale right now.”
positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 25:11“sixty thousand dollars for this that's the deal of the century”
positive · Infinite Shifts · ▶ 5:57“You get a lot of value for your money, especially at around $60,000 on the low end.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 24:26Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- MotorTrend
2026 Lexus LC500 Convertible Inspiration Series First Drive: So Long to a Modern Beauty
◆Worth itThe LC500 is a stunning, analog-focused grand tourer that prioritizes character and comfort over raw performance, making it a future classic.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who value design, naturally aspirated V-8 character, and comfortable long-distance touring over cutting-edge tech.
- Watch out
- fiddly 10-speed transmission · laughably small trunk · high price compared to newer performance rivals · scuff-prone white leather interior
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