2018 Lexus LC 500: a beauty of a beast

A middle-aged man and his three teenage companions stopped in a coffee shop parking lot, gawked at the exterior of the 2018 Lexus LC 500 and asked if they could check out the inside. A guy in an old pick-up with a dilapidated camper shell stopped in the middle of a street near to where the Lexus was parked and started a conversation about saving his money to buy one.

Some people pointed, others provided a thumb’s up or exclaimed “nice wheels, dude.” A few young drivers pulled up near me on the freeway, momentarily glared and sped off, perhaps suggesting I follow them. It was tempting, but no thanks, fellas.

And so it goes with the upscale coupe, the new Lexis flagship. The exterior design, simultaneously sharp-angled and voluptuous, define a sports car. The LC 500 doesn’t advance down the road far without attracting attention. While its visual appeal is attention-grabbing, the new Lexus can be heard before seen. It has a wondrous engine growl, a Maserati-like guttural blast of attitude upon ignition.

A four-seat coupe with touring tendencies, the LC 500 is equipped with a 5-liter, 471-horsepower V8 and a 10-speed direct shift automatic transmission and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. It’s also available in a hybrid model. But why ruin the fun?

With a starting price of $92,000, the new Lexus should offer a bundle, and it does. It’s a lengthy list, not the least of which are standard 20-inch, 10-spoke cast alloy wheels with run-flat tires, LED exterior lights, automatic high-beam control, heated and auto-dimming mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, ambient interior lighting and an 8-inch driver information screen.

There’s also a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats (with two-way power lumbar adjustment), driver-seat memory settings, adjustable driving modes, leather-upholstered front seats and simulated leather rear seats. It’s comfortable, futuristic-feeling ride.

Consider also the 10.3-inch central display, a top-end navigation system, two USB ports and HD and satellite radio. Notable safety features include a rearview camera, head-up displace, pre-collision warning system with automatic braking as well as lane departure warning and mitigation.

Several optional packages and the destination and handling fee included in the review vehicle catapulted the LC 500’s price to $102,890.

The 2018 Lexus LC 500 is a the luxury carmaker’s new flagship.”/>

For the money, you might as well get the carbon fiber roof and top-line Mark Levinson sound system with 13 speakers. And the Torsen limited-slip differential and the multiple driving modes transform the new Lexus into a smooth-driving touring machine. While on assignment with a colleague, we negotiated a few brief sections of country gravel roads. Road imperfections? Potholes? Where? We might as well have been driving on a few miles of pool table top velvet.

Pure speed freaks might complain. The LC 500 isn’t the fastest machine on the street, completing the 0-60 miles per hour standard in 4.4 seconds. But it’s quick enough, and the corresponding gas mileage for its segment is acceptable — 16 miles per gallon in city driving, 26 miles per gallon on the freeway.

For the front seat passenger, the Lexus LC 500 has two inset grip handles. It’s part of the coupe’s persona. It adds to the experience, like holding on during an amusement park ride just because you can.

As a first-year vehicle, the Lexus LC500’s future is unknown. But even as a newcomer, the coupe has a pending honor, at at least it should. Every decade or so, car publications publish their choices for the top-100 most beautiful cars in history. Not many recent-year vehicles ever make the lists. The new Lexus deserves the designation.

2018 Lexus LC 500

ACCELERATION: 0-60 mph, 4.4 seconds. AIRBAGS: 6. FUEL ECONOMY: 16 mpg (city), 26 mpg (highway), 19 mpg (combined) 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. HORSEPOWER: 471. MSRP: $92,000. PRICE AS TESTED: $102,890. WARRANTY: Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Powertrain, 6 years/70,000 miles; Corrosion, 8 years/70,000 miles.

Facts & Figures: 2018 Lexus LC 500

Specification	Details
Engine	8-cylinder, 5.0L
Transmission	Automatic (S10)
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel Economy	16 city / 26 hwy / 19 combined mpg
Fuel Type	Premium Gasoline

How It Compares

Vehicle	Starting Price
2018 BMW 6 Series
2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe
2018 Porsche 911
2018 Jaguar F-Type
2018 Maserati GranTurismo

Frequently Asked Questions

How much horsepower does the 2018 Lexus LC 500 have?

The naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 produces 471 horsepower paired with a 10-speed direct-shift automatic transmission and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

How fast is the 2018 Lexus LC 500?

0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Quick rather than blindingly fast for the segment, with emphasis on GT-touring balance over outright acceleration.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 LC 500?

EPA ratings are 16 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined on premium gasoline. Acceptable for a 471-hp naturally aspirated V8 flagship coupe.

How much does the 2018 Lexus LC 500 cost?

Base MSRP is $92,000. With optional packages including the carbon fiber roof, Mark Levinson 13-speaker audio, and destination charge, the test vehicle reached $102,890.

Is there a hybrid version of the 2018 Lexus LC?

Yes. Lexus offers the LC 500h, which pairs a 3.5-liter V6 with two electric motors for higher fuel economy at the cost of some acceleration and theatrical exhaust note.

What standard features come on the 2018 LC 500?

Standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels with run-flat tires, LED exterior lights, heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision warning with automatic braking, and lane departure warning.

How many people fit in the 2018 LC 500?

Four, in theory. The rear seats are small enough that most adults treat them as extra storage space. The front passenger grip handles are part of the coupe’s theatrical character.

What are the main rivals to the 2018 Lexus LC 500?

Primary competitors include the BMW 6 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type, and Maserati GranTurismo in the luxury grand-touring coupe segment.