2020 Lexus LC 500h Review

　　

2020 Lexus LC 500h 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.

　　The 2020 Lexus LC 500h, as the "h" suggests, is simply a hybrid-equipped version of the LC 500, a boldly designed luxury coupe. Instead of having a V8 engine like the regular LC does, however, the LC 500h uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine combined with two motor-generators. The resulting 354 horsepower won't blow you away, but the 500h is still sufficiently quick. Plus, it gets around 30 mpg, which is excellent for a big luxury coupe.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lexus LC 500h 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) 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

　　$154/mo  for LC 500h Base

　　LC 500h Base

　　2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $97,510 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Just like the regular LC, the LC 500h has a luxurious and futuristic interior that's appointed in high-quality leather and simulated suede. Combine this with an adjustable suspension that strikes an impressive balance between a sporty and comfortable ride and you've got a luxury car that neatly fits the traditional role of the grand touring coupe.

　　For 2020, the LC 500h sees only minor changes. Alas, that means it's still stuck with the same infotainment system, which has a touchpad interface that can be frustrating to use while driving. 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 500h is an impressive and compelling package that belongs in the company of other world-class grand-touring cars, with the added benefit of hybrid fuel efficiency.

　　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.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the LC 500h drive? Aside from increased fuel economy, the LC 500h's powertrain is less appealing in every way than the more affordable gas-only LC coupe with its V8 engine. The 500h's combination of V6 and dual electric motors doesn't lack power necessarily; it's just 0.1 second slower going 0-60 mph than the V8. But the system does add 150 pounds to a car that's already heavy, and it lacks the V8's wonderful sound and sonic delight.

　　Inconsistent brake feel and a complicated transmission system sap some of this car's driving spirit, but superb weight balance and grippy tires mean twisty roads aren't out of the question. Solid steering feel at highway speeds also makes for easy and stable cruising.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the LC 500h? Even though the LC's optional sport seats sound like an upgrade (more sport means more fun, right?), we preferred the standard seats. They have less bolstering than the sport seats, but the LC isn't made for fast turns and carving, so it's not a problem. The regular seats cradle average adult frames quite well, although larger, wider bodies might be less enthusiastic.

　　The 500h's adjustable suspension excels at absorbing large bumps and smaller road imperfections, even with our test car's big 20-inch wheels. There's some noticeable wind noise at freeway speeds and, depending on the road surface, some tire noise, too. But around town or on well-kept roads, the LC 500h is pleasantly quiet.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? While everything's easy to reach, many controls are frustrating to use. Locating options in the infotainment system with its awkward haptic touchpad interface is one problem. The steering wheel controls take a bit of getting used to because not all are intuitively placed or labeled.

　　Getting in and out is easier than you'd expect of a car seated this low, and the driving position feels snug and commanding. But the cabin is surprisingly small relative to the LC 500h's size, and the bulky transmission tunnel and angled-in windows mean you have little room to move around. The rear seat is useless for adults or even taller children.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? For a car that looks so clearly from the future, 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 test car, but they're now standard features (starting with the 2019 model year). 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 is outstanding.

　　A full suite of driver aids are included, 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 very little usable space given its size. There's a woeful lack of small-item storage and no good spot to store your phone for easy access.

　　The 4.7-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. The car's battery also consumes trunk space and contributes quite a bit of ambient heat even after short drives. The back seat is actually the most useful storage space in the vehicle.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? An EPA-estimated 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving is a phenomenal figure for this class of vehicle. We managed 25.8 mpg over two weeks of mixed driving, covering open highways and being stuck in rush-hour traffic. Our best tank was 28.7 mpg. Given these results, it's possible that the EPA numbers are slightly optimistic

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the LC 500h a good value? Yes, it's expensive, but the LC 500h offers a lot of car for the money. High-quality materials abound, and the overall fit and finish is exceptional. The LC offers a longer powertrain warranty than many rivals, and given the company's track record, you're unlikely to find a sporty grand-touring hybrid that will cost less in the long run.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　Lexus was the first brand in the modern era to champion the performance benefits of hybrids. The LC 500h advances that message, even if it can't match the performance of other sports cars in this price range. Instead, it leads with all-around excellence. The LC oozes exceptional quality, daring interior and exterior design, and world-class luxury.

　　There's just enough power and handling performance to keep it interesting, even if the 500h is more at home on long highway travels than twisting roads. For maximum fun, the V8 version is the one to get. But whether V8 or hybrid, the LC is a halo car that showcases Lexus' core values.

　　

Which LC 500h 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. We like the Sport package for its 20-inch wheels and limited-slip differential, although we have reservations about the included sport seats. Best to keep it simple with the Touring package, which adds upgraded leather and the exquisite Mark Levinson surround-sound system.

　　

2020 Lexus LC 500h models

The 2020 Lexus LC 500h is a luxury hybrid sport coupe that seats four and is available in a single trim. The V8-powered LC 500 is reviewed separately.

　　The heart of the LC 500h is a 3.5-liter V6 assisted by a pair of electric motor-generators. In total, the setup produces 354 horsepower. Two transmissions — a continuously variable automatic and a four-speed conventional automatic — work in conjunction to drive the rear wheels. The transmissions simulate a total of 10 gears, which can be manually selected using steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.

　　As befitting a luxury coupe, there's a generous list of standard features, starting with an adjustable suspension, ambient interior lighting, leather-upholstered heated and ventilated front seats, and heated 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 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 your taste even further, highlighted by features including a carbon-fiber roof, a limited-slip rear differential, 20- and 21-inch 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 500h Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$97,510
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$154/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	4.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles