Lexus LC 500 2021 Review

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 is a sleek and stylish luxury coupe that serves as the flagship car for the Japanese luxury automaker. The LC 500, along with the LC 500h hybrid, debuted in 2018 and quickly became one of our favorite coupes around. Although it's not as sharp to drive as a Porsche 911, the LC does strike a good balance between comfort and performance. It's an excellent grand tourer.

For 2021, the LC 500 gets a few mechanical updates to the suspension and transmission that should improve performance yet maintain the car's overall comfort level. The LC also sheds some unsprung weight, which should further improve the car's performance. Lexus confirms that a new convertible variant is on the way sometime soon, though exact timing remains unclear.

Which LC 500 does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 is available in one trim; the LC 500h hybrid model is reviewed separately. All LC 500s use a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 (471 horsepower, 398 lb-ft of torque). It's paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Feature highlights include:

LC 500 Well-stocked with features, such as:

• LED headlights
• 20-inch wheels
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Power-adjustable and heated and ventilated front seats
• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable steering wheel

It also comes with:

• 10.3-inch infotainment screen
• 12-speaker sound system
• Integrated navigation system
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa integration
• Onboard Wi-Fi with 4G LTE connection

Safety features and driver aids on the LC 500 include:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the LC 500 and the car in front)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the LC 500 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Notable options include:

Touring package

• Heated steering wheel
• Upgraded leather upholstery
• Microsuede headliner
• 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system
• Parking sensors

Sport package

• Sport seats with microsuede inserts
• Carbon-fiber or glass roof panel
• Torsen limited-slip differential for improved grip
• Upgraded brake pads and suspension dampers

Dynamic Handling package Includes Sport package features and adds:

• 21-inch wheels
• Rear steering and variable-ratio steering (give the LC a more nimble feel)
• Speed-activated rear wing