To start off, I am an LC fanboy so my opinions are biased and I am not a pro reviewer. This is just my initial off-the-cuff thoughts after 16 months of pursuing an LC in fits and starts before finally getting my 2026 USB on black bespoke coupe home.

Pros:

• Best body styling of any sub 300k car in the last 15 years, possibly ever (although the 2009-2011 SLK55 is a tie or close 2nd), let alone a $90-120k car.
• Impeccably tuned NA V8 that revs high without being so high that you have to wring it out to enjoy it (like a C8 Z06) while still having low end torque.
• Off the charts build quality
• Comfortable enough for a sport GT without being overly soft
• Incredible fuel economy for a NA V8 without cylinder deactivation
• Best automatic transmission on sale that isnt a DCT IMO, up there with the PDK, and more reliable than DCTs
• Physical HVAC controls, drive mode selector, and volume ****

Cons:

• Steering wheel has minimal telescoping distance compared to a lot of cars. Needs about 6 inches more travel for optimal driving position if you're taller and like to sit further back.
• Heated/ventilated seat controls are in the infotainment. This is a big miss as these should DEFINITELY have physical buttons. The button below the volume *** as I was told gets you to the seat screen, but I'd prefer no touch screen interaction at all for something as common as seat heat/ventilation (I'm not much for climate concierge or voice commands).
• Lots of nooks and crannies in the front out if which to clean bugs.
• Insurance costs are at least double that of *most* 2+2 coupes in its price range (due to that build quality pro above).
• Gear shifts on throttle let-off can sometimes be jarring especially after hard acceleration when backing off the throttle, primarily in comfort and eco mode. Sport/sport+ seem to be mapped more appropriately for hard accel followed by throttle lift-off. This also seems to occur primarily on very brief stabs of the throttle, like the LC's trans mapping doesnt like hesitant attempts at heavy accel. So if you're gonna get on it, commit!

Overall I LOVE the car which is no surprise. What is surprising is that after building my expectations for 16 months, it still met or exceeded them.

I drove probably 350 miles or so on surface roads and state highways, varying my speed, gear, and RPMs with some semi-aggressive throttle input at times to try and bed the piston rings in as well as I know how in my amateurish way. After that I did some highway cruising at mostly steady speeds, but used M mode to cycle up and down the gears, and a little throttle pushing here and there, to attempt to continue solid break-in until the 500 mile mark.

After that it was *mostly* highway cruising with cruise control on for 900 more miles back to TX. I'm hoping I broke it in as well as possible, though ideally trailering it back and breaking it in for 500 or more miles in lower gears with less time spent in 7th-10th gear wouldve been better I imagine. Curious on any expert input on this front.

The interior as most have said is superb. While I originally wanted the seats that the vert has with the diamond stitching, I can definitely rest easy having the touring seats. It is slightly less cushy than I expected, so sport seats might have ultimately been too firm for my wife and I on road trips. I'm happy with the firmer-than-expected touring seats though, as it means they should hold up better over time without obvious leather creasing/wrinkling.

Almost 1500 miles in two days. Basically as many as that 2018 infrared that sold at auction for 99k lol. Takeway: these should never be garage queens unless youre a billionaire and have one in a hangar collection and one to drive! Drive these babies!!! I know I will.

 

That’s not a complaint I usually hear. Are you trying to sit farther back?

 

[QUOTE=Korbek;12033010]To start off, I am an LC fanboy so my opinions are biased and I am not a pro reviewer. This is just my initial off-the-cuff thoughts after 16 months of pursuing an LC in fits and starts before finally getting my 2026 USB on black bespoke coupe home.

Good review. You will now be looking for reasons to take it out and drive, not that anyone needs a reason to enjoy the vehicle. My wife was beside herself when I started "volunteering" to do errands (which in the past she knew I never volunteer for anything, left over habit from the Marines).

I purchased some of those "side seat gap fillers" for the front seats. I also use the Climate Concierge for the seat controls. For hot/cold adjustments I only adjust the overall temperatures whether the tops up or down and have not had any issues (even for the neck heater). I do think 'hey Lexus" can control seat heat/cooling but I understand some like the separate buttons ie; our LX and GX massaging seats are 3 screens deep in the infotainment screen. Would be great to have separate physical buttons or voice control.

I did see this but haven't tried it yet;

Yes, this shortcut exists on certain modern Lexus models, acting as a quick, "hidden" feature to access seat settings without navigating through the main infotainment menu.

• Functionality: Holding down a seat memory button (1 or 2) on the door, or in some cases a physical seat adjustment button, triggers the seat menu to pop up directly on the dashboard screen.
• Vehicles: This feature has been noted in discussions regarding newer Lexus models, including the LC 500 and various models equipped with the newer Lexus Interface, which often moves seat climate controls to the touchscreen.
• Purpose: It allows drivers to quickly access advanced seat adjustments (such as seat climate, massage, or deeper memory settings).

 

Yeah I have long arms & legs (6'1 but more leg& arm than torso) and like to sit further back but still have my elbows bent. I can in my SLK but not in the LC. It's a minor issue though.

For seat heat/ventilation I dont think its a time save since its only two taps on screen and one more to adjust the heat/vent settings. One press on the door memory button still requires reaching to the screen. I'm not a fan of voice commands so I'll likely just use the screen. Some would call me a luddite but its just a preference thing.

 

There is a physical button that takes you straight to this screen. It's just south of the volume ****, but yes then you need to click thru the screen to activate/deactivate. I leave it on AUTO and the car is smart enough to know what to do based on cabin temp setting.

 

Wasnt that button removed for 2024?

 

Nope, it was added in 2024.

 

Oh wow. Whelp I missed that somehow will definitely be using it. Driving back I was focused on avoiding distracted drivers and road debris so I didnt have a getting-to-know-you time with her.

PPF shop expects to be done by Friday so this weekend will be the real honeymoon. I like my ventilated seat on full blast regardless of AC settings. Keeps my back cozy.

 

I had to drive the LC today - residual salt be damned. Thanks for your updates.

 

Clean her good underneath! I hate the heat in south TX but I do appreciate salted roads being a distinct rarity. I'll be able to enjoy mine year-round!

 

@Korbek
Hey man, very nice review as you express yourself well. We are complete strangers but I have enjoyed your posts covering your efforts to snag the LC 500 spec you really desired and I am very happy you did. I know that you are going to take excellent care of this car, appreciate it and drive the heck out of it for pure pleasure. I imagine you are going to be further dazzled when you pick it up from the detail shop in a few days. Moving over from a Corvette I was curious and interested in how you would react with the distinctly different LC 500.
God bless!

 

Thanks man. Yeah its definitely a different experience although I would say the low end torque is super similar, and while it is technically slower than a C8 the 10 speed is geared in such a way that it still pulls more than enough when passing on the highway pedal-down, and to be honest the C8 is so fast you really cant USE it on public roads in any sane/legal way.

I very much prefer the LC looks-wise. The C8 is too "ferrari and lamborghini had a thrupple with GM". Its appeal is definitely performance-per-dollar, but as a comfortable grand tourer the LC beats it. The styling, build quality, reliability out of warranty, and dealership service experience are the cherries on top of the LC sundae. Hell you cant even TOW a C8 if it dies in the boonies without a special tool to put it in neutral, or a wrecker with four wheel dollies.

I enjoyed my time with my C8 and the ron fellows driving school, and might consider a manual C7 vette someday as a more easily serviceable daily driver than the C8 is. The LC will be saved for weekend drives and road trips, but it will get plenty of miles over the next 20+ years! If we ever road trip up to see my mom in Ohio using the LC I'll hit you up to see if we can meet up, or if youre ever in south TX feel free to do the same.

 

I was like you, then it got on my nerves eventually because it so damn loud lol

 

Big congrats to you - glad you finally got your LC!

Please post pics when you get the chance - USB is my fav after #1 Structural Blue.

 

Thanks mate! I posted several in the "post a pic" thread.