2020 Lexus LC 500 Review

　　

2020 Lexus LC 500 Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Ever since Lexus ended production of its SC 430 nearly a decade ago, the company lacked a true big coupe to compete with the sporty grand-touring two-doors from its European rivals. At the smaller end of its lineup was the RC coupe, a car that's more of a Japanese Mustang than a BMW hunter. It was especially delightful with a 5.0-liter V8 engine. Then the LC coupe arrived.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lexus LC 500 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$236/mo  for LC 500 Base

　　LC 500 Base

　　2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 10A) (Most Popular) - $92,950 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The 2020 Lexus LC 500 marks the third year of the bold vehicle's production, and you won't find a car that makes such an impression from just a few feet away. While its European competitors — BMW 8 Series, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Jaguar F-Type — might be faster or handle turns better, the LC 500 is classic Lexus luxury and comfort wrapped in a stunning design.

　　The LC 500 uses a V8 engine that makes a glorious sound when you dig into the gas pedal, while the adjustable suspension strikes an impressive balance between a sporty and comfortable ride. A luxurious and futuristic interior, appointed in high-quality leather and simulated suede, further amplifies driver and passenger comfort.

　　For 2020, the LC 500 sees only minor changes, though Lexus has confirmed that a convertible version is coming soon. The LC's main downside remains its infotainment system, which has a frustrating touchpad interface. Standard Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa functionality offers mild work-arounds. There's also the issue of the rear seat — despite having one, the LC is really a two-person car.

　　Overall, though, the Lexus LC is an impressive and compelling package that belongs in the company of other world-class grand-touring cars.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the LC 500 drive? The LC 500 doesn't offer the same performance as similarly priced sports cars. But if you think of it more like a grand-touring car — a vehicle that balances power, comfort and luxury in equal proportion — its lofty price makes more sense. The burly roar of its V8 engine makes every drive a joy, especially as it climbs high in the rev range before shifting.

　　Acceleration, however, doesn't quite match the soundtrack. In zzdcar testing, the LC 500 needed 4.9 seconds to go 0-60 mph, which is unremarkable for this class of car. The LC isn't particularly nimble on tight and twisting roads either. But it feels right at home on more gentle sweeping back roads. It's a car made for luxuriating on road trips.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the LC 500? The LC 500's suspension excels at absorbing large bumps and smaller imperfections in the road, even with the big 21-inch wheels fitted on our test car. There's a good balance between sport and comfort, and the suspension insulates the cabin well enough from rough road surfaces without making the car feel disconnected from the pavement. Depending on the road surface, we noticed some tire noise, and some wind noise at highway speeds. Otherwise, the LC's cabin is quiet and serene.

　　The only kinks we found were our test car's optional sport seats. Well-bolstered and wide, the seats are pleasantly supportive, but we found the seatback overly firm and lacking enough lumbar adjustment.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The LC's windswept profile doesn't look like it would offer a good view from the driver's seat, but visibility is surprisingly good. The hood slope, though, makes it hard to judge what's around the car's front end. And the rear pillars are bulky, typical for a low-slung coupe, but blind-spot monitoring eliminates some of the guesswork from lane changes.

　　Getting in and out is also easier than you'd expect of a car sitting this low, and the driving position feels snug and commanding. And while there is a rear seat, it's comically small and best saved for stowing extra bags. The most frustrating aspect of the interior is the awkward touchpad infotainment interface.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? For a car so futuristic-looking, it's unfortunate that it's saddled with Lexus' dated technology inside. The navigation system is clunky and requires some effort simply to input a destination. Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa functions weren't available on our 2018 model-year test car but are now standard features. You'll want to use your phone, too, since the LC's voice controls require an involved voice-training process before serving up consistent results. The Mark Levinson sound system, however, is outstanding.

　　A full suite of driver aids is standard, including front and rear parking sensors (helpful given the long hoodline that's hard to see over) and adaptive cruise control.

　　

Storage

6.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The LC 500 has little usable space given its size. There's a woeful lack of small-item storage, not even a decent spot to store your phone for easy access. The 5.4-cubic-foot trunk is larger than a Porsche 911's, but the competitive edge ends there. It's still quite small and shallow, with a high liftover height that makes loading anything more difficult. The back seat is actually the most useful storage space in the vehicle.

　　The rear seats provide car-seat anchor points for child seats, but access is difficult enough already. Fitting a car seat might be possible, but this Lexus is pretty much an adults-only car.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimate of 19 mpg in combined driving (16 city/25 highway) isn't out of line with figures from the LC 500's competitors. We managed 21 mpg on our test loop, so that estimate is achievable. That said, most drivers will likely gleefully convert a good percentage of their gas mileage directly into noise.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the LC 500 a good value? Even at its lofty price (nearly $106,000 as tested), the LC 500 gives you a lot of car for the money. Leather, suede and metal (and metal-like plastic) abound, and overall quality and fit and finish are exceptional. It's disappointing that some of Lexus' technology feels outdated, crude or frustrating. The car's astonishing weight is also odd. We'd expect more exotic, lightweight materials at this level.

　　Despite its mass, we managed 21 mpg combined on our test loop, a better result than the EPA rating. The LC also offers a longer powertrain warranty than many rivals. And given the company's track record, you're unlikely to find a roaring V8 engine that will cost you less in the long run.

　　

Wildcard

10.0/10

　　The LC 500 is a car that you'll find excuses to drive. It's unquestionably fun, it sounds great, and it looks amazing. And it's an everyday kind of fun, not just a car that needs a special road to come alive. Even its slow acceleration, relative to its competition, helps as it lets you dig into the engine a little more than you otherwise might.

　　We would've liked to sample the standard seats, and the LC needs a thorough infotainment and tech overhaul. But overall, it's a roaring, rumbling joy that sticks in your head. Few cars today have such undeniable presence.

　　

Which LC 500 does zzdcar recommend?

There's only one LC 500 trim level available, but a few choice packages can tailor the coupe to your specific needs. For most buyers, we say keep it simple by getting the Touring package, which adds upgraded leather and the exquisite Mark Levinson surround-sound system

　　

2020 Lexus LC 500 models

The heart of the LC 500 is a potent 5.0-liter V8 engine (471 horsepower, 398 lb-ft of torque) that drives the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.

　　The generous list of standard features is befitting of a near six-figure luxury coupe, starting with an adjustable suspension, ambient interior lighting, leather-upholstered heated and ventilated front seats, and heated and auto-dimming side mirrors.

　　Technology includes a 10.3-inch central display, a navigation system and a 12-speaker audio system with satellite radio. Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa functionality comes standard, as does in-car Wi-Fi. Notable safety features include a forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.

　　A handful of packages allow you to tailor the LC to taste further, highlighted by features including a carbon-fiber roof, a limited-slip rear differential, 20- and 21-inch forged aluminum wheels, a head-up display, and a premium 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Drivers seeking maximum performance can also get variable ratio steering, active rear steering and a speed-activated rear wing.

　　

2020 LC 500 Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$92,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$236/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	5.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles