2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible | Review & Road Test
Kelley Blue Book Kelley Blue Book
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 Published On Jul 29, 2020

For the latest Lexus LC 500 pricing and information:
https://www.kbb.com/lexus/lc-500/

Best-looking Lexus out there? Easy the LC 500.
But is the convertible version better or not? In the looks department, I will admit, I’m pretty torn.

The LC is gorgeous as a coupe.
But, while I’m here with the top dropped, we’ll focus a little more on this one.

Finally, the controversial Lexus spindle grille looks suitable here. The LC 500 feels like a concept car and that’s a face that looks over-the-top concepty.

The lines and shapes in the rest of the body look tremendous, and then there’s that bodacious rear end.
With the top down, I do miss some of that initial “pow” I get from the coupe, but the convertible is a stunner. If your head doesn’t turn when this drives by you, you might want to have your neck checked.

Lexus opted for a power-folding fabric top for the LC. The material feels substantial and with the top up it more than adequately secludes and quiets the cabin.

Incidentally, that top takes 15 seconds to retract and 16 to put back up, and either function can be done at speeds up to 31 mph.

And because that top’s been chopped off, the LC Convertible’s been structurally fortified.

The interior of the car gets a little more like the traditional Lexuses, you’re used to, but there’s still tons of great flagship fit and finish materials in here.

Buyers can get optional sport bucket seats up front with extra lateral support to keep butts in them when you’re cornering. Seatbelts, please!! I feel comfortable and supported in all the right places for my 5-5 dimensions.

The LC interior features an 8-inch multi-information display, two USB ports, and an analog clock. Classic. Truth be told, I’m not a fan of the Lexus infotainment interface. And this touchpad to operate it. It’s neither intuitive nor simple to me. I’ll leave it at that.

Driving the rear-wheel-drive LC feels almost as special as it looks. Lexus has reduced the weight in the car and switched to aluminum suspension arms. That lightness goes a long way in making the LC feel like more of a sports car and less of a tourer.

It also gets stiffer rear anti-roll bars that make turns feel sharper.
It’s got nice stability, even if I do still get some body roll in the corners. The Lexus Active Cornering Assist is now standard and automatically applies to the brakes to my inside wheels for better traction.

Handling definitely feels improved over the previous model year.
The LC Convertible gets active rollover bars that deploy if the driver is about to get into an accident.
Sorry, but I’m not pushing it that hard on Mulholland for the sake of this video today, kids. If you want to watch our other videos where we get squirrely subscribe to our YouTube channel!

The LC has nice grip coming out of turns, I prefer the feel of the acceleration out of the 5.0-liter V8 (471 horsepower @ 7,100 rpm; 398 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm)
over the hybrid that’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline and an electric motor. (combined 354 hp).
The convertible only comes with that naturally aspirated 8.

And with the top down, you can hear the rumbly goodness of those eight cylinders.

If you’re looking for similar sleds, the 2021 Lexus LC 500 competes with the BMW 8 Series the Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe, and the Jaguar F-Type.

The 2021 Lexus LC comes pretty loaded on the standard equipment side of things, including 20-inch alloy wheels, navigation, a 10.3-inch infotainment display, active sport exhaust, selectable drive modes, leather seats, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Rear-wheel steering, a limited-slip differential, and a climate concierge with upper body heating especially for the neck sound pretty interesting in the options department.
Engineers added a wind deflector to reduce noise. And they’ve got an active noise control system employed. I think it sounds pleasant, in here but there’s no one else around. If you can hear me let me know in the comments. I’ll let you judge just this once.

Chances are if you’re driving this type of car EPA numbers aren’t that important to you, but here they are should you be interested. (V8 city/highway 16 city/25 hwy mpg Hybrid: 26 city/34 hwy mpg)

The 2021 Lexus LC coupe starts at around $94,000 including the destination fees. The 2021 LC 500 hybrid starts closer to $98,600.

Pricing on the 2021 Lexus LC 500 convertible starts at $102,000.

This one I’m driving lands at a cool $112,000 bucks.
Incidentally, those prices are more than all of those competitors mentioned earlier.
So, do I prefer the coupe or the convertible, uhhhhh, I don’t, yeah, okay, I’m gonna go with the coupe, but mostly because a bird pooped on my head while I was filming in the convertible.

The LC 500 Convertible comes along with Lexus’ strong resale value, as well as solid build quality. Add the gorgeous good looks of this and now a chance to get the wind in the hair you have left. I say if you can, go for it!

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