Never Stop Dreaming
The first time you see the 2021 Lexus LC 500 you will pause, take a breath, and whisper a respectful “wow.” Immediately, it is obvious no other car on the road looks like this two-passenger gran turismo with its low, wide and sleek design. Available in either a coupe or cabriolet, powered by either a V8 or V6 hybrid, the LC 500 makes a statement wherever you will go.
Lexus Hybrid Technology
Clean Fleet Report spent eight wonderful days cruising Southern California in a 2021 Lexus LC 500h, powered by the Lexus Multistage Hybrid System of a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 with two electric motors and generators. This combination produces a combined system 354 horsepower. Driving the rear wheels is the Lexus Synergy Drive of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to a four-speed automatic, resulting in 10 gears. With steering wheel-mounted magnesium paddle shifters and seven drive modes, the LC 500h gives the driver a multitude of gearing and ride options. The EPA fuel economy rating for the LC 500h reflects the hybrid contribution with 26 city/34 highway/29 combined. In 475 miles we averaged 30.5 mpg, with a 186-mile all-freeway run and the all-speed adaptive cruise control set at 65 mph, we upped that to 32.1 mpg. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.
The Road Experience
The LC 500h is not a sports car, but more a spirited Grand
Touring coupe. Built on the Lexus luxury car global architecture, the 2021 LC
500h has dropped 22 pounds from the previous year, which only enhanced the
handling. Active cornering assist applies brakes to the inner wheels when
diving into sharp corners, or when a downward curve demanded the front end not
compress on the inward wheel or the rear end slip out. Chassis stiffness was
carefully designed-in. The steering feedback, through the speed-sensing
electric power steering, made it a pleasure to toss around a car that weighed
4,420 pounds, with a 113-inch wheelbase and measuring in at 16 feet. It never
felt heavy or cumbersome, but seemed alive and adaptable. Stopping with the four-wheel
power-assisted discs, with anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force
distribution and brake assist, was consistent and confident.
The LC 500h pegs the zero-to-60 time at 4.7 seconds with a
top track speed of 155 mph. On multiple runs we achieved the first by using the
driver-controlled drive modes of Normal, Sport S and Sport S+. We left the top
speed to the pros. The additional drive modes are Comfort, Custom, Snow and Eco.
Each of these has it own attributes, but for our driving we found Eco and
Comfort were perfect for freeway cruising; Normal for in-town errands; and
Sport S+ for maximum acceleration and driving enjoyment. The paddle shifters
were nice, but with the abundance (possibly overabundance) of drive modes and
an advanced automatic transmission, there isn’t much need for them.
A bit more about Sport S+ for maximum acceleration and driving enjoyment. The driver selectable drive modes electronically affects the efficiency of the engine, including changes to the transmission gearing. So in Eco, the best fuel economy can be expected, Comfort smooths out the ride, but when in Sport, or our favorite Sport S+, the engine mapping keeps the transmission in gears longer during acceleration and deceleration, and stiffens the steering input and suspension. That’s why we were in Sport S+ as much as possible, sacrificing top fuel economy for a more spirited driving experience.
One of the main benefits of a hybrid vehicle is how quiet it can be. This was the case with the LC 500h whether we were at freeway speed or on a milk-and-egg grocery run. Most hybrid and all-electric cars come with low resistance rolling tires to maximize fuel economy, but not our LC 500h, which was equipped with the Dynamic Handling package. This included 245/40 Bridgestone Potenza Sport 21-inch tires on 10-spoke wheels that were polished with gloss black accents. The beefy 21s were impressive and gripped well, but also were quiet. The low 0.33 coefficient of drag (Cd) helped the LC 500h slip through the air.
Head-turning Exterior
Lexus says, “The 2021 LC 500h coupe is the sharpest, most evolved LC to date.” All-new in 2018, the 2021 LC 500h is as stunning at first sight as anything on the road. Having a ground-hugging look, with 5.5-inches of clearance, Lexus invites you to “Experience Amazing” and says the “LC 500 makes the strongest statement yet about the brand’s future direction.” If this is the case, we at Clean Fleet Report approve, as did the many people who stopped to ogle our LC 500h, painted in a stunning Cadmium Orange, when at a stop light or in a parking lot.
The LC 500h is a car that needs to be walked around a few times to get the true gist of what the designers had in mind. The first impression is the car looks as if it is leaning forward. Up front is the Lexus signature chrome-trimmed, spindle grille. Under certain lighting it sparkles and reflects, showing-off thousands of individual surfaces. Centered in the grille is the Lexus “L” badge with a blue background, which signifies the LC 500h is an electrified car. Framing the grille are sleek, triple-beam LED headlamps with integrated LED fog lights. The daytime running lamps, in the form of an “L,” wrap the front fender edges.
In side silhouette the sloping line, from top of the windshield to the front grille, is as raked as you will find. Then, moving your eye from the roof’s apex, it is almost a contiguous line to the short trunk lid, ending with the speed-activated rear wing. Something to note is the lack of a roof-mounted shark fin antenna, which is almost universally found on all cars, but in this case would only ruin the uninterrupted lines. The attractive LED tail lamps use mirrors to create a sequence of L-shaped graphics. Finishing off the rear are dual, rectangular chrome exhaust tips.
But the most distinctive design feature on the LC 500h are the flared quarter panels. Giving a muscular look as they encase the rear tires, the flares enhance and reinforce with a visual sense of how stable the LC 500h will be on the road.
The LC 500h is a modern take on the classic Grand Tourers of the past. The proportions are perfect, with an elegant execution.
An Interior To Experience
Clean Fleet Report’s LC 500h had an all-black interior featuring leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber and satin metallic trim throughout the cabin. The different textures on the doors, dash and seats made up for any monotone of the black color scheme.
Climbing in, the first thing you will notice is the naturally reclined seating position that Lexus says is “an optimal position that sets the stage for spirited driving.” The driver and passenger get heated and ventilated seats, with the driver getting 10-way power adjustments (with two-way lumbar and memory) and the passenger gets eight-way power. The adjustments allowed for the driver to sit upright and high if so desired.
The seats have excellent shoulder bolstering, securely holding the driver and passenger in place during aggressive cornering. Surprisingly, even with the reclined seating position, rearward visibility was better than expected. Access was easy to the front seats, but ceiling-mounted handles would have been helpful for exiting. And while we are talking seats, there are two beautifully sculpted rear seats, which must be there purely for show. I don’t expect their leather surfaces getting much, if any, wear. Ever.
The center console finds the radio control touchpad, with manual controls for audio and channel selection. The optional Mark Levinson 13-speaker, 915-watt surround sound system, with navigation, was housed in a 10.3-inch high-resolution split screen display. All the standard features were there such as AM/FM/HD/CD and SiriusXM and, as can be expected with a system like this, the sound was excellent. The touchpad control was touchy and had a learning curve, meaning occasionally taking your eyes from the road to adjust the radio. Additional features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free and Amazon Alexa. You can use Alexa to control compatible smart-home devices such as lighting, thermostat and security systems. Alexa even syncs to the navigation dystem to provide on-the-go recommendations. A wide array of features are available through the Lexus Enform App Suite, and the AT&T Wi-Fi has a three-month trial period for up to 4GB.
The cockpit design is driver-friendly, starting with the very handy head-up display and the power tilt/telescoping steering column. The leather-trimmed steering wheel has audio, telephone and cruise controls as well as the paddle shifters. Interior features include a dual-zone automatic climate system with dust and pollen filters, digital and analog clocks with the digital clock being GPS connected, a center console storage box and cup holders. The interior also has a fixed glass roof and sunshade, power windows with one touch up/down, power door locks, Smart Access with push button stop/start technology, 12V and USB power outlets, folding and heated outside rear view power side mirrors.
Safety and Warranties
The LC 500h is equipped with a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including active and passive safety features of eight air bags, a tire pressure monitoring system, collapsible steering column, anti-theft alarm and engine immobilizer. The centerpiece is the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 with a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control with lane tracing assist, and several other warning features.
The rear view camera and the blind spot monitor work in-conjunction with the rear cross traffic alert and intuitive braking. When backing from a blind parking spot, and a car, bicycle or pedestrian suddenly appears behind the LC 500h, the brakes are applied instantly. This valuable safety feature comes on fast, and if not prepared, it can be a bit of a shocker the first time it is experienced.
The 2021 LC 500h comes with these warranties.
- Basic – Four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain – Six years/70,000 miles
- Corrosion/Perforation – Six years/Unlimited miles
- Hybrid Components – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Hybrid Battery – 10 years/150,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Four years/Unlimited miles
- Maintenance – Six months/5,000 miles
Pricing
The 2021 Lexus LC 500h has a base price, including the $1,025 delivery fee, of $98,635. Clean Fleet Report’s test car had a MSRP of $109,910, which included $11,375 in optional packages and the $1,025 delivery fee.
Observations: 2021 Lexus LC 500h
Owners of the 2021 Lexus LC 500h will be getting more of a luxury car experience than a sports car. If you opt for the LC 500 with the V8, at 471 horsepower, it only shaves 0.3 seconds off the hybrid’s 4.7-second 0-60 time. So best to appreciate the LC 500h for what it is: a luxury car tourer with unique styling, impressive fuel economy and ownership exclusivity (only 1,325 LCs were sold in 2020).
The Lexus “L” series is all about luxury, with the “LC” meaning Luxury Coupe. Dictated by their philosophy of Takumi (“artisan” in Japanese), the attention to detail is shown throughout the LC 500h design and construction. The interior design, materials and workmanship are second to none in this class. It is a pleasure to slide behind the wheel, press the start button and silently begin driving. The sci-fi whirring, when gliding to a stop, has a pleasant tone that gets the expected attention from pedestrians.
Rarely does a car produce both an aggressive and sensuous sensation on first look. This graceful result is from some bold thinking in the Lexus design shop, with the LC 500h looking more like a concept car than a production car. Guaranteed, when driving the LC 500h, you will be noticed, with the occasional comment of “I have never seen one of these before.”
This brings us to rarity and exclusivity. The combined forces of price and being essentially a two-seater with limited luggage storage, Lexus is candid that the LC 500h is not for everyone. And rightfully so, it can’t be for everyone. The buyer of a Grand Touring car selling for more than $100,000, is a select group.
The LC 500h is a true pleasure to drive or ride in and sparkles on long road trips. This premium car is among the best in its class. If you have not stopped dreaming, visit your Lexus dealer and leave with a big smile on your face.
Make sure to opt-in to theClean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.
Story and photos by John Faulkner.
Related Stories You Might Enjoy—Other Luxury Coupes
News: Audi E-tron GT Electric Concept Wows Auto Show
Road Test: 2018 Audi A5 Coupe
Road Test: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster
News: Infiniti Shows QS Inspiration Concept
Road Test: 2019 Chevrolet Corvette
Our Time with Earlier LCs
Road Test: 2019 Lexus LC 500h Hybrid
Road Test: 2018 Lexus LC 500h Hybrid
Road Test: 2018 Lexus LC 500
Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints
11 thoughts on “Road Test: 2021 Lexus LC 500h Hybrid”