LC 500h Takes Hybrid Tech to a New Level, Says Business Insider

By Joel Patel - August 3, 2017

In addition to its stunning styling, top business magazine finds Lexus’ hot new ride to have an astonishing amount of performance.

Toyota set the standard for hybrids with the Prius approximately 20 years ago. While the eco-friendly vehicle pushed the boundaries for what automakers could get in regard to fuel economy and emissions standards, technology has been raised to new standards, like in the Lexus LC 500h. Business Insider got behind the wheel of Lexus’ new halo car and found it to be an astonishing vehicle.

Starting with the LC 500h’s gorgeous exterior, “the overall design is aggressive,” says Business Insider, which you can also see in the outlet’s pictures. “This bold coupé starts strong in the front with swept-back headlights and huge scoops then narrows through the door line before widening to a pair of athletic rear haunches and a pair of rectangular exhaust pipes.” And when you think about the fact that the car’s a hybrid, it gets even more impressive. “The LC 500h might be a hybrid, but its looks get ya coming and going.”

The LC 500h’s powerplant is also exceptional. “The motor is a 295-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 – in and of itself, a pretty tasty powerplant,” says Business Insider. “A pair of electric motors bumps the output to 354 hp. And then comes the complicated transmission.” The complex gearbox is “a CVT combined with a more familiar four-speed gearbox, two transmissions for the price of one,” says the outlet.

The LC 500h’s interior is comfortable and a treasure-trove of technology. “The dark leather provides abundant comfort,” says Business Insider. Overall, the interior carries a vibe that “is rich and subdued, with the leather counterpointed by brushed-metal trim.”

There is one glaring downside, though: “Lexus’ infotainment system for the LC 500h is functional and comes with all the modern touches, but it’s not well-loved.”

The verdict from the outlet is a stellar one. “The car is quite simply superb,” says Business Insider. “The DNA of the LC 500h is pure grand tourer, a coupé that’s optimized for stylish runs to a second home or a snazzy resort.”

While the LC 500h costs more than its non-hybrid twin, the LC 500, it’s “an eminently satisfying rear-wheel-drive sports car that intensifies every fundamental.” That’s high praise for a hybrid.