Lexus LC 500 Review Roundup
Reviews for the all-new Lexus LC 500 are pouring in. And needless to say, they're glowing.
1. Car & Driver
Car & Driver sung the many praises of the LC 500, exulting its "stunning" exterior and calling it "IMAX-grade automotive theater." The high praise continues with sensual innuendo, including C&D labeling the car as a "snarling, V-8–powered sexpot." The mag also praises the LC's interior, driving position, and ultra-rigid chassis. They did find a couple of bones to pick, of course. Namely the car's heavy curb weight and good but not great performance figures. But all in all, they largely enjoyed their seat time in the grand tourer.
2. Motor Trend
Long-time automotive mag Motor Trend spent some time behind the wheel of the LC and came away rather impressed. How impressed? In their words, the new Lexus is "one of the grandest grand touring coupes extant." According to them, the halo coupe "provides a luxury experience nobody else currently does," and notes that "the new LC coupe isn’t concerned with performance numbers, and you shouldn’t be either." Seems like MT, unlike many others, really gets this car, which isn't meant to be an all-out performer in the first place.
3. Road & Track
Road & Track gets it too, calling the LC the "perfect halo car." With a car this stunning, it's impossible not to attract some attention anywhere you go. Which R&T quickly found out. "Nearly every time I get to a light, the car next to me honks gently to get my attention. The driver of that car is smiling and enthusiastically giving the thumbs up. Sometimes they gesture that they want me to roll the window down." After all, so what if the car isn't a world-beating performer? "The LC is not a track weapon either. And that's fine. Just look at it. It's as close to a concept car as you can get on the street."
4. Jalopnik
Hilariously enough, the guys at Jalopnik found themselves getting pulled over by the law as they tested the LC. But it wasn't because they did something wrong - it's because the cop had a number of questions to ask about the gorgeous coupe. And the queries just kept coming, thankfully from the general public thereafter. This led them to an obvious realization about the LC and what it was built to do. "It’s not just the looks. For what it is, a real luxury V8 grand tourer, the LC 500 truly stands out in a crowded automotive landscape filled with endless boring, identical SUVs. That’s what makes it truly special."
5. Club Lexus
Club Lexus' very own Derek Shiekhi took the LC through its paces at Circuit of the Americas, where it battled with 40 other cars in the Texas Auto Roundup. And in case you're wondering, the LC won "Best Performance Coupe" at the event. And everyone wanted to drive it. After finally spending some time on the track and some conventional roads, Shiekhi found that the car, well, drives like a Lexus. "Whipping the LC through the cones of the slalom course, I discovered the LC handled a lot like how it looks. I expected a car as low and sleek as the LC to perform its dance through the orange cones accordingly. It didn’t disappoint. It was flat. It was planted. Body roll was nowhere around."
6. Top Gear
Everybody's favorite TV show Top Gear (well, at least before the original trio of hosts departed) got their hands on an LC, and came away similarly impressed. They fell in love with the coupe, quipping "the Lexus LC is the maddest Lexus since the LFA, and backs it up with impressive dynamics for a heavy car." Obviously, this is a much different car, however, and they recognize that fact. "There are no screaming V10s here and the experience is tailored more to rapid grand touring than hot laps, but the LC is still a force to be reckoned with."
7. Autoweek
Interestingly enough, Autoweek doesn't quite see the LC as most others do, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. "Well, it is not the next LFA. It’s not a supercar, it’s not a sports car, it might not even be a grand touring car. It’s more of what marketers used to call way back a "personal luxury coupe," a modern-day, high-tech, high-power descendant of the SC400." Well, that's a first. Regardless, it's clear they enjoyed their time in this "modern SC400." "It's something of a dream, floating and winging its way through the city as easily as it gently understeers up Highway 2."
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