2020 Lexus LC500: A Closer Look
For 2020, this Lexus retains its stunning styling, excellent quality, and high performance.
Car - Front
The LC500 is an excellent example of what the term "flagship" is all about. This is a top of the line performance machine with sleek bodywork, attention to detail, and grabs an audience whether driving or parked. It is the pride of the Lexus fleet and for 2020, there are a few minor changes. The fuel cap warning light has a different place in the gauge cluster, and putting the car in reverse creates a different notification sound. That's it unless you include the new flare yellow paint option, which is what you see above for a cost of $595 extra. It certainly stands out in a crowded parking lot. Add on another $395 for "paint protection film" to keep this shade nice and bright through the rigours of daily driving.
Text and photos by Chad Haire
Engine
The LC500 is powered by a modern 5.0-liter V-8 engine cranking out 471 horsepower. It is hooked to a slick 10-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the steering wheel for those who want to wish to shift gears manually. The 0-60 time is reportedly 4.4 seconds, with a fuel economy rated at 16/25 mpg, which is accurate in daily commuting. However, using that 471 horsepower at full throttle will drop those numbers in a hurry though!
>>Join the conversation about the 2020 LC500 right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Wheels
If you don't care for the stock wheels that come with the LC, ordering this larger 21-inch allow set will do the trick. Be aware that optioning for the larger wheels will slightly increase road noise on rough pavement. So, the buyer must choose between comfort with standard wheels or a sporty look with these 21s. Ordering them will set you back a decent chunk of change at $2,650.
>>Join the conversation about the 2020 LC500 right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Infotainment
On some Lexus vehicles, the infotainment system is controlled by a stick, but here it is a finger touchpad design. There are short cut buttons for navigation and menu. Above, the radio controls are easy to operate, with the tune and seek knobs. The transmission shift control can be used to choose gears manually if the driver doesn't want to operate the steering wheel paddles. There is a separate button to choose the "Park" mode, with Reverse, Drive, Neutral together.
>>Join the conversation about the 2020 LC500 right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Normal gauge mode
The LC500 has six modes of operation: Eco, Comfort, Normal, Custom, Sport, and Sport+. The gauge cluster view can change with the version chosen giving a further sense of how the ECU's personality also changes. Above is the normal presentation a driver would see when the LC is in a "Clark Kent" sort of nondescript mode.
>>Join the conversation about the 2020 LC500 right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Sport+ mode
Put the car in the Sport+ mode, and good things will soon happen. The gauge cluster changes again, showing a tachometer that lights up like a Christmas tree, with a bright speed indicator in the middle. The exhaust level rises with open valves and shift points are more aggressive. For high-speed cruising, or taking tight corners, the car shows off its performance pedigree.
>>Join the conversation about the 2020 LC500 right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Price Sheet
The base price of an LC500 starts at $92,950. The Mark Levinson 13-speaker sound system is completely worth the extra $1,220 on the tab. Most of these cars found at the dealer will come loaded with many options, in this case about $12,373 worth. The total tab of $106,348 shown above can be very typical of a new LC. On the positive side, only about 2,000 of these are imported into the USA each year, so you are purchasing some exclusiveness to go with that pricetag.
>>Join the conversation about the 2020 LC500 right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Car - Rear
The Lexus LC500 offers the best in Japanese engineering and with proven reliability as well. Plus with its limited production, this can be parked at the local country club still proudly standing out among the sea of more common European luxury brands.
>>Join the conversation about the 2020 LC500 right here in the ClubLexus forum.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.