A little while back, I had the privilege of testing out the 2021 Lexus LC 500h for a week. Recently, I overheard someone saying that this Lexus model is a bit of a midlife crisis car. I have to say I disagree. Gone are the days when a $100,000 Lexus coupe could only be one thing.

The 2021 Lexus LC 500h is more than a midlife crisis car. This is a vehicle that caters to its drivers. Plus, it’s pretty thrifty with fuel consumption considering its punchy hybrid powertrain. Especially when you throw in the V8 LC as the alternative, the 500h is all the more attractive for its ability to get about 29 mpg combined.

The 2021 Lexus LC 500h isn’t just for old people

We’ve all heard the auto industry paradigm––models like the Lexus LS or LC are designed for old rich people. But as I drove the 2021 Lexus LC 500h I imagined it as the perfect getaway car for a couple with younger children. I envisioned a young up and coming CEO climbing into it after acing her board meeting.

Of course, the image of a wealthy middle-aged man in aviators trying to impress a younger audience isn’t a difficult one to conjure. But that’s what Corvettes are for. This car brings with it true, ultimate class and sophistication. Both of which are not reserved for senior citizens and middle-aged men.

It’s practical for its hybrid fuel economy, sure. But––Edmunds agrees––this coupe is distinctive and flashy enough to say hello as it zips around city streets. The 2021 Lexus LC 500h appeals to the affluent-enough in every age demographic. It isn’t just for old people.

What is this Lexus coupe good for?

If you love feeling pampered but don’t want to drive a larger passenger car, the 2021 Lexus LC 500h is a great option for those with deep pockets. While there are plenty of pricey sedans out there for those who want a large boat-like luxury car, the Lexus LC toes the line between comfort and performance. In fact, it blends the two perfectly.

The trunk is minuscule, but the back seat was actually able to accommodate two car seats for my boys while I had the Lexus LC in testing. Overall, it’s not a highly practical family car. But it can still serve as a bridge between massive 4-door sedan options and tiny 2-seaters.

For a couple, a single person, or as a second or third car for a family with young children, the 2021 Lexus LC 500h could prove a versatile addition to the fleet. Considering that it’s a coupe designed for flashy performance, I was impressed by its versatility. And in terms of luxury appointments, not one inch of this coupe disappoints.

A luxurious road tripper

One way in which I think this Lexus model would really shine––one more alternative role it can play other than midlife crisis car–– is as the ultimate luxury touring car. Road trips are seriously easy to imagine behind the wheel of this codling coupe. While long trips with kids in child seats would be merely doable, a road trip with two kids that have graduated past safety seats or with just one or two people up front would be a breeze.

In fact, every time I got behind the wheel of the 2021 Lexus LC 500h I found myself yearning for long open roads. The sound system sounds impeccable with all the soft-touch materials in the cabin. A playlist of your favorite songs and interesting scenery is all you’d need to have an exciting cross-country tour in the Lexus LC 500h.