Lexus LC 500 Review Highlights:

• 2023 Lexus LC 500: $99,050 – $106,550
• Pros: The Lexus LC 500 has head-turning looks, an elegant interior, and a lustful V8 engine. There’s also a hybrid option.
• Cons: The LC 500’s infotainment system is lackluster, and it doesn’t handle as well as it looks like it should.

I have been fortunate enough to drive the Lexus LC 500 twice in the past couple of years, and it never fails to disappoint. Its eye-catching good looks and low-slung stature turn heads whenever I drive by a crowded street. Its well-appointed interior is adorned in fine materials that make you feel like you’re sitting in the true lap of luxury.

Needless to say, the Lexus LC 500 is beautiful, luxurious, and comfortable. It’s also pretty fast, too. But despite its sporty looks, the LC 500 isn’t necessarily meant to carve up tight roads. Instead, it’s a grand touring car meant for long-distance and high-speed travel. In my opinion, it’s nearly perfect in its execution.

How does the 2023 Lexus LC 500 drive?

Driving the 2023 Lexus LC 500 feels like the epitome of athletic lavishness. It’s a touring car, which means it blends the sportiness you would expect from a supercar with the comfort and amenities you would expect from a luxury sedan. After all, the “LC” stands for “luxury coupe,” which is fitting.

The cockpit is surrounded by leather and Alcantara, the cabin is quiet, and the sonorous sound of the V8 engine can be heard throughout the cabin. Fortunately, Lexus didn’t pipe in the exhaust notes through the speakers – as other manufacturers do – so the sounds you hear are the actual engine and exhaust note coming to life.

As the engine works its way up the RPM band, the power surges in the midrange and pulls hard up to the 7,000 rpm redline. The sound is intoxicating, and it’s hard not to bury the accelerator when pulling onto a straightaway. The 10-speed automatic shifts smoothly in most cases, but I noticed that it tends to lag when kicking down a gear upon heavy acceleration. There was a loud “thud” when this happened.

Otherwise, the LC 500 drove a lot like the ES and IS sedans I have tested. It’s easy to drive around town, and the visibility is good. The cabin is also well-insulated from any wind noise, and the suspension felt smooth in “comfort mode.” However, I detected a lot of road noise, which is to be expected considering it rides on 21-inch wheels and is low to the ground.

There are other drive modes as well. The “normal” mode felt normal, and the Sport/Sport + modes tightened up the suspension, dialed in more steering feedback, and sharpened the throttle response. The exhaust gets louder as well, which makes the driving experience more visceral.

Every time I got behind the wheel of the LC 500, I was reminded of why we awarded it the “Best Driving Experience of the Year” for 2021. It’s sporty and fun to drive, but it’s also comfortable enough for long road trips. It is a touring car, after all.

Which Lexus LC 500 trim level is best?

Picking the right trim level when shopping for a 2023 Lexus LC 500 is easy:

• LC 500: $99,050
• LC 500h: $102,350
• LC 500 Convertible: $106,550

The base Lexus LC 500 is packed with plenty of standard equipment. Some of the most notable features include 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, and an 8-inch driver information display.

My tester for the week was equipped with the optional head-up display, the premium Mark Levinson sound system, and the Dynamic Handling Package ($9,570). In total, the price of my test car came out to $106,885 (with the $1,150 destination charge).

I recommend the base coupe as it has everything most drivers need. However, if you like to drop the top, get the convertible. And if you want to save the planet (and fuel), the hybrid LC 500h is an excellent option.

Does the Lexus LC 500 have good tech?

The Lexus LC 500 has many tech features like a 10.3-inch infotainment display, wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Wi-Fi, navigation, two USB ports, satellite radio, and 12 speakers. The LC 500 convertible has the added convenience of a self-parking assist feature.

Overall, the LC 500’s tech feature set has everything you need in a daily commuter. That said, it’s still the car’s weak point. The infotainment screen is controlled by a touchpad in the center console, which is cumbersome to use while driving. The screen graphics are very Atari-like, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto was a big turn-off.

Fortunately, the 2024 model will fix these issues.

What options is the Lexus LC 500 available with?

Although the Lexus LC 500 comes well-equipped right out of the box, there are some optional packages available for it.

Touring package:

• Alcantara-trimmed headliner
• Mark Levinson 13-speaker premium audio system
• Heated leather-trimmed steering wheel
• Semi-aniline leather-trimmed front seats
• Climate concierge (LC 500 convertible)

Sport package:

• Rear performance dampers
• Torsen limited-slip differential
• Performance brake pads

Dynamic handling package:

• Rear performance damper
• Torsen limited-slip differential
• Performance brake pads
• Alcantara-trimmed headliner
• Sport seats with Alcantara-trimmed inserts
• Carbon fiber door scuff plates
• Active rear steering
• Speed-activated rear wing

All-weather package:

• Heated leather-trimmed steering wheel
• Windshield wiper de-icer
• Fast-response electronic interior rear heater

What engine is in a Lexus LC 500?

For 2023, the Lexus LC 500 comes with two different powertrains:

5.0-liter V8
471 hp
398 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel efficiency: 16/25 (coupe), 15/25 (Convertible)

3.5-liter V6 engine + two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors (LC 500h)
354 horsepower
EPA city/highway fuel efficiency: 26/34

I recommend going with the V8 for the most genuine sporty experience. However, if more power isn’t necessary, the LC 500h can provide plenty of adequate power when driving around town, in addition to excellent fuel efficiency returns.

How is the cargo space in the LC 500?

The LC 500 has a trunk that measures 5.4 cubic feet in the coupe, 4.7 in the hybrid, and 3.4 in the convertible. My coupe tester was able to fit a few boxes in it as well as a backpack. However, I don’t think that larger items or golf clubs can fit in there.

The LC 500 also has a back seat area that’s great for storing purses, bags, or other small items. It’s also fitting for small children or adults for short-distance drives as there’s not much head or legroom back there.

How safe is the LC 500?

The 2023 Lexus LC 500 has not been officially tested for crash test safety ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) yet.

However, it does come standard with plenty of safety features, including:

• Forward collision warning with automatic braking
• Lane-keep assistance
• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control
• Auto high beams

Is the LC 500 expensive to own?

According to Edmunds, it can cost an average of $12,474 to maintain an LC 500 for the first five years of ownership. Any repairs can cost an average of $2,344 for the first five years, which isn’t too expensive considering the type of car the LC 500 is.

MotorBiscuit awards the 2023 Lexus LC 500 with a score of 9 out of 10

The editors at MotorBiscuit award the 2023 Lexus LC 500 with an overall rating of 9 out of 10. The LC 500 is almost too good. It’s comfortable, lavish, and powerful, which is all anyone could ask for in a luxurious performance car.

The sweet sounds of the LC’s engine, mixed with its supportive seats and soft-touch surfaces, make it a joy to drive. It’s no wonder we gave it the award for the best driving experience, as getting behind the wheel of this grand touring car is truly a unique experience.