2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Review

　　

2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The Lexus LC 500 debuted in 2018 as the Japanese automaker's latest flagship model. It features a striking design that's matched by a comfortable but sporty ride and one of the best sounding V8s on sale today. The LC oozes so much charm and personality that you'll probably be able to overlook the slightly tight interior and the frustrating infotainment system. .

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible 2dr Convertible (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

　　$242/mo  for LC 500 Convertible Base

　　LC 500 Convertible Base

　　2dr Convertible (5.0L 8cyl 10A) (Most Popular) - $101,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　For 2021, Lexus complements the coupe with the new LC 500 convertible. While it's not available with the LC 500h coupe's hybrid powertrain, we won't complain because the V8-powered model has always been the one to own. From behind the wheel, the LC 500 convertible feels just as smooth and refined as the coupe, with just a bit more road noise emanating through the convertible soft top. On rougher roads, it doesn't feel quite as buttoned down as the coupe, but it's still plenty comfortable thanks to well-shaped seats and a compliant but athletic ride.

　　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

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the LC 500 Convertible drive? The LC 500 convertible is more about feel and experience and less about sheer performance. For the class, raw acceleration and braking figures are somewhat disappointing. But when you're actually behind the wheel those figures are easy to forgive. The 5.0-liter V8 engine is a real standout, with smooth, linear power all the way to redline and one of the best sounding exhaust notes today. It's a real joy to rev out.

　　The steering lacks feel but is quick, direct and firm without feeling heavy. The suspension is tuned to provide comfort rather than sport, but it's still adequately responsive. Lexus improved on the LC's brake feel, making it easy to modulate and come to a smooth stop. The transmission is mostly issue-free, though we did encounter the occasional hiccup in low-speed traffic.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the LC 500 Convertible? On-road comfort is where the LC 500 convertible really shines. The ride quality is smooth and refined, soaking up bumps without feeling overly soft or bouncy. On particularly rough roads, it doesn't feel quite as buttoned down as the LC coupe, but it's not far off.

　　The seats in the LC are fantastic, with well-shaped seat backs that are supportive without feeling confining. They're well ventilated, too, and even have a small warm-air vent below the headrests to keep your neck warm when the top is down.

　　The LC is quiet, too. It's easy to have a conversation with the top up or down. Plus, you get to listen to its wonderful V8. The climate-control system works well, though the vents are somewhat ill placed and require some time to aim just right.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The LC convertible's interior is much the same as the LC coupe's. Despite the low ride height and long doors, getting in and out is fairly easy thanks to a seat that's not overly bolstered and just about the right height. The power-adjustable steering wheel offers a good deal of adjustment and moves out of the way when the car's off. The driving position is excellent, with well-placed controls and a good view of the gauges and the road ahead.

　　The rear window is narrow, but no worse than other convertibles in this class. Some drivers may find the interior to be tight, but the doors are shaped in a way that provides plenty of elbow room.

　　The LC's awkward controls and onscreen menu layout are the most significant liabilities. It's just generally unintuitive; the controls for the heated seats, for example, are inconveniently hidden in a submenu. The touchpad interface is cumbersome at best.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Lexus has improved the infotainment system slightly with the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But it still uses the cumbersome touchpad interface and menus that hide some often-used controls. The system itself looks dated, too, especially compared to the latest ones found in the LC's rivals. Voice commands work fine. While not as robust as some of the competition, the LC can understand natural language and can interface with the media, radio, navigation and climate-control system.

　　Lexus includes a decent suite of standard driver aids such as traffic-adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist with lane departure warning. We'd like a surround-view camera system, but the combo of parking sensors with a standard backup camera works decently.

　　

Storage

6.0/10

　　How’s the storage? We don't expect stylish convertibles like this to offer much in the way of storage. Even with that lowered expectation, the LC convertible is quite disappointing. The cargo space is barely large enough for a few bags, and it's shallow — you really have to be careful to keep groceries from being smashed.

　　The cabin isn't any better. Other than the small center console, the LC lacks any real place to put small items such as sunglasses or your phone. The door pockets are tight, as are the cupholders. The only real saving grace is the rear seat. Given its small size, it is better used for cargo than for people anyway.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the LC convertible's fuel economy at 18 mpg combined (15 city, 25 highway), one mpg lower than the coupe. That's just about average for V8-powered competitors. Our car managed a hugely impressive 25.8 mpg on our 115-mile standardized test route, though conditions with weather and traffic were highly favorable during that drive. In general, we think you'll have little trouble matching the EPA's numbers.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the LC 500 Convertible a good value? The LC 500 convertible commands a premium over the coupe, but that's generally true for any convertible with a coupe variant. The list of standard features is generous. You also get excellent build quality. Just about every surface is covered with leather, and most of the switchgear is metal or feels like metal. Lexus really focused on making sure the convertible is just as solid as the coupe. Sure, you can find more performance for the price elsewhere, but as pure luxury goes, it's hard to find a better deal in this class.

　　The LC's 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty are above average for the class. Lexus includes four years of roadside assistance and a year of free maintenance.

　　

Wildcard

10.0/10

　　Looks are subjective, but we think the LC 500 convertible is one of the best looking cars on the road today. It packs flair without being loud or flashy, and has tons of little touches like the checkered pattern on the door or the mirrored taillights that show that Lexus really cares about the details.

　　It's fun to drive, too, despite being somewhat slow for the class. The V8 is a real sweetheart, with an exhaust note that sings like a chorus in perfect harmony. You just want to keep revving it out to redline. It's engaging enough to be fun on a winding road, yet comfortable cruising on the highway or rolling around town. Few automakers manage to put together such a charming and entertaining package.

　　

Which LC 500 Convertible does zzdcar recommend?

The LC 500 convertible only comes in a single well-equipped trim. It commands a premium over the LC 500 Coupe but offers the same features and refinement as its hardtop sibling.

　　

2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible models

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 convertible comes in a single trim level. As with the LC Coupe, the convertible has a small back seat. Power comes from a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 (471 horsepower, 398 pound-feet of torque) paired with a 10-speed automatic that drives the rear wheels. Feature highlights include:

　　LC 500 convertible

　　Comes standard with:

　　20-inch wheels LED headlights Power-operated soft top Power-adjustable front seats 2 USB ports Keyless entry with push-button start 12-speaker audio system 10.3-inch infotainment screen Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa integration 4G LTE Wi-Fi (requires AT&T subscription after trial period)It also has driver safety aids such as:

　　Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between vehicle and the car in front) Automatic high-beam assist Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Active rolls bars that deploy automatically during a collisionOptions on the 2021 LC convertible include:

　　All-Weather package

　　Heated steering wheel Windshield wiper de-icerTouring package

　　Includes All-Weather package features Upgraded leather seating 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system Automatic heated and ventilated seatsInspiration Series

　　Limited to just 100 units Comes with special "Structural Blue" paint and white leather interior Mark Levinson audio system 21-inch wheels Limited-slip differential Heated seats and steering wheel Inspiration Series logos and serial number plateIndividual options include:

　　21-inch wheels 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system Torsen limited-slip differential and Yamaha performance damper for improved performance and handling Head-up display

　　

2021 LC 500 Convertible Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$101,100
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$242/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	3.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles