The 2022 Lexus LC 500h, now in its seventh year, provides a superior example of one vehicle with complementary multiple personalities. The mesh of traits results in a car greater than its individual strengths combined.
A hybrid-electric coupe, the LC 500h features two electric motors with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 354 horsepower and a manufacturer-estimated 4.7-second effort from 0 to 60 miles per hour. It’s propelled with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The top speed is 155 miles per hour.
Key Takeaways
- Hybrid V6 delivers 354 hp and a 4.7-second 0-60: A 3.5-liter V6 paired with two electric motors and a 10-speed automatic gives the LC 500h genuine sports-coupe pace while topping out at 155 mph.
- Unheralded luxury coupe of the year: Sales doubled to 2,782 units in 2021 as the flagship Lexus coupe found more buyers, but it still flies under the radar compared to German rivals.
- Hybrid economy rare in the segment: EPA ratings of 26 city and 34 highway mpg are unusual for a six-figure luxury coupe and help justify the price.
- Six-figure price climbs past $115,000: The MSRP sits just under $100,000, and option packages push the as-tested total to roughly $115,000.
- Low-slung chassis and polarizing grille: The sculpted body scrapes over bumps the driver never expected, and the spindle grille remains one of the most argued-about design choices in modern Lexus.
Combine the vehicle’s sports-car performance with its sculpted-like exterior and a top-line interior design created with equally upscale materials and the LC 500h gets honors. It’s the unheralded luxury car of the year.
The flagship Lexus (gas and hybrid) coupe hasn’t sold particularly well, but its national tally in 2021 (2,782) more than doubled the 2021 total (1,209). The numbers are part one of the few encouraging automotive trends during the current supply chain shortage.
National hybrid sales in 2021 increased 76 percent from 2020, with an end-of-the-year tally of 801,550. It represented five percent of the country’s car sales, the highest percentage to date.
As a luxury coupe, the LC 550h has an extensive list of standard equipment. The review vehicle featured several option packages, all pricey, all worthy, except for the spoiler.
Commonplace standard stuff includes LED headlights, leather-trimmed seats and heated and ventilated front seats. There’s adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and a lane-keeping assist function.
Leather 10-way leather seats with driver’s side memory, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a physically moving bezel, aluminum pedals, satin metallic trim and ambient lighting further embellish the
The navigation system features a 10.3-inch screen and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. There are two USB ports and one 12V outlet; the Mark Levinson 13-speaker, 915-watt sound system is available as a stand-alone option for $1,220.
There are also leather 10-way power seats with driver’s side memory, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-inch digital gauge cluster with a physically moving bezel, aluminum pedals, satin metallic trim and ambient lighting.
Driving the LC 500h satisfies the joys of driving. Turning is tight, maneuverability nimble, ride quiet. Like a traditional sports car, the coupe rides low, with the driver and front seat passenger required to be active participants.
Entering and exiting the vehicle requires at least moderate flexibility. Once on the road, the coupe exudes fun on wheels. Its punchy personality is enhanced by top interior craftsmanship created with liberal use of top-notch Alcantara.
Beyond its driving attributes, the Lexus has head-turning good looks. The bold exterior is all sharp angles — unique teardrop-shaped front headlights to equally unusually designed taillights. The chassis is a low rider, with care needed not to scrape the front end on even the slightest bump. Overall, the Lexus LC 500h stylish enough to turn heads, which it constantly does.
The 2022 LC 500h also has a six-figure price tag. The MSRP is just under $100,000. Option packages and stand-alone extras, a fiberglass spoiler to upscale in-your-face rims, push the total to about $115,000.
Buyers of high-end coupes are likely concerned about fuel economy. But as a hybrid, the Lexus fares well, 26 miles per gallon in city driving, 34 mpg on the highway.
Except for a largely non-existent back seat and clumsy technology functionality, there’s little downside to luxury performance coupe. Lack of storage space is a misstep, but how much can be expected from a coupe?
Of course, there’s the same story about the Lexus‘ front grille. It’s upside down, right? Never has a front end been any more off-putting. Is there a MadMax movie appearance in the future for Lexus?
Regardless, the top-line Lexus coupe remains in the shadows. Buyers won’t see many of the LC 500h siblings on the road, which is a shame. It’s a driver’s car, handsome and proud.
What We Like
- 354-hp hybrid V6 with 4.7-second 0-60 performance
- 26/34 mpg fuel economy rare for six-figure coupes
- Alcantara, leather, and moving-bezel trim create a genuine luxury interior
- Sharp teardrop headlights and dramatic body lines draw constant attention
- Standard adaptive cruise, blind-spot warning, lane-keep assist, and forward collision mitigation
What We Don’t
- Back seat is essentially non-existent
- Infotainment controls are clumsy to operate
- Low chassis scrapes over bumps and driveway transitions
- Storage space is minimal, even for a coupe
- Polarizing spindle grille design continues to divide buyers
Facts & Figures: 2022 Lexus LC 500h
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6-cylinder, 3.5L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S10) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city / 34 hwy / 29 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
How It Compares
| Vehicle | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2022 BMW 8 Series | $88,000 |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe | $118,000 |
| 2022 Porsche 911 | $101,200 |
| 2022 Maserati GranTurismo | $135,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the 2022 Lexus LC 500h?
The LC 500h reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 4.7 seconds, powered by a 354-hp 3.5-liter V6 paired with two electric motors and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Top speed is 155 mph.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Lexus LC 500h?
EPA ratings are 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined on premium gasoline. Those numbers are unusual for a six-figure luxury coupe and reflect the hybrid powertrain’s efficiency.
How much does the 2022 Lexus LC 500h cost?
The base MSRP sits just under $100,000. Option packages including the Mark Levinson audio upgrade push the as-tested total to approximately $115,000.
Is the Lexus LC 500h practical for daily driving?
Only partially. The low chassis scrapes over bumps, storage space is minimal, and the back seat is essentially unusable. Entering and exiting requires moderate flexibility, and the clumsy infotainment interface slows routine tasks.
What standard features come on the 2022 Lexus LC 500h?
Standard equipment includes LED headlights, heated and ventilated leather seats, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.
What sound system options are available in the LC 500h?
A Mark Levinson 13-speaker, 915-watt premium audio system is offered as a stand-alone $1,220 option. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard through the 10.3-inch navigation screen.
Article Last Updated: April 16, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.