Every now and again, the automotive Gods smile upon unsuspecting writers, bloggers and/or vloggers dedicated to all-things automotive. This moment fits the narrative.
A visually imposing, rear-drive convertible arrived during the dog days of August with the sun shining bright and temperatures tickling 90. Life is good. More than once, these top-down beauties somehow someway arrived for testing in the grip of winter and its icy challenges creating a less than ideal evaluation.
The eye-catcher; the Lexus LC500 convertible with 'LC' denoting 'Luxury Coupe' and the numeral suffix reflective of its 5.0-liter V-8 engine. The LC serves as a relative newcomer arriving in the 2018 model year as the 'Halo,' or aspirational choice within the Asian luxury brand and the tuck-away power fabric-topEvery now and again, the automotive Gods smile upon unsuspecting writers, bloggers and/or vloggers dedicated to all-things automotive. This moment fits the narrative.
A visually imposing, rear-drive convertible arrived during the dog days of August with the sun shining bright and temperatures tickling 90. Life is good. More than once, these top-down beauties somehow someway arrived for testing in the grip of winter and its icy challenges creating a less than ideal evaluation.
The eye-catcher; the Lexus LC500 convertible with 'LC' denoting 'Luxury Coupe' and the numeral suffix reflective of its 5.0-liter V-8 engine. The LC serves as a relative newcomer arriving in the 2018 model year as the 'Halo,' or aspirational choice within the Asian luxury brand and the tuck-away power fabric-top roof joining in the 2021 session. This low-volume vehicle also offers a self-charging gas-electric hybrid edition, a technology Lexus and its parent company Toyota perfected during the past two decades.
While newish to the lineup, the luxury arm of Lexus teased the general public during the auto show circuit for several years under the guise of the LC-LF concept. It's built from the ground up utilizing Lexus' GA-L architecture (GA-L denotes Global Architecture, Luxury). The production effort oozes style whether the foldable soft top resides up or down.
Stylishly fashioned sheet metal doesn't come cheap while the target market is a mish mash of empty and pre-nesters as this 'four-seat' coupe includes practical and supportive buckets up front and a bench in back best suited for pet pooches who enjoy free-range open-top sniffs. Most adult-sized humans will find row two a one-person side saddle seat situation. A removable wind screen fits across the back seat region, maximizing comfort of the two upfront riders.
In the 2020 calendar year, LC500 sales tallied 1,325 units, a far cry from Lexus' top-selling family-friendly midsize RX crossover (101,095 units sold), but both target a different market. Of note; LC500 sales measured 8 percent better than the previous calendar year, showing unusual strength during a panicky pandemic. In comparison, mid-size RX sales tumbled 9 percent during the same period.
It's a relatively heavy, compact-ish performance-enhanced coupe serving up power derived from a 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated (non-turbocharged) V-8 delivering a fun-filled, but far from class leading 471 horsepower and zero-to-60 mph in a tidy 4.8 seconds. It's the sole convertible powertrain offered and connects to a responsive 10-speed automatic transmission. The 25 miles per gallon highway is easier to live with than 15 mpg around town and the premium engine enjoys premium fuel. At 4,497 pounds, the ragtop weighs in 126 pounds lighter than coupe edition.
Passengers sit closer to the ground when compared against pedestrian coupes with a tight 5.2 inches of ground clearance. It's a sporty ambiance, without surrendering to a "sports car" experience where every road imperfection resonates through your body. Instead, LC500 opts to smooth out the drive with a subtle suspension easing trips from point A to B with several available drive mode levels.
Lexus makes things easy and breezy when powering the soft top. A couple of pull-push switched housed under a flip top between front buckets helps summon or close an open air experience. No latches to unlock or mechanically turn as a push of one tab automatically releases the top from the windshield frame and sends the top rearward in a Z-fold fashion before tucking nicely below a solid cover that fits and clicks close like a glove . A second push button operates the tiny second-row windows. The entire process speeds by in about 15 seconds.
A hard-top 2021 LC500 starts at a mere $93,050 and the convertible only raises the stakes from there. Our flip-top tester rolled in with a $101,000 price for the single trim level and after some nickel and diming ended at $112,426 including a $1,025 destination ding.
Extras include $2,650 for 21-inch alloy wheels with gloss black accents, Touring Package featuring a 'climate concierge' with upper body heading, a $900 windshield projected heads-up display, $595 for premium exterior red paint, $460 for a performance damper and $500 for illuminated door sills.
The looooongggg hood and expansive deck lid region creates a missile-like stance. Don't expect cupped or strap-like door handles as LC 500 opts for a flush-mounted type; about the length of a squared off bun-less hot dog, the narrow rectangular design toggles out from one end automatically when approaching the locked vehicle with the key fob on person in a welcoming gesture.
The small, diminutive rear glass window includes a built-in defroster with narrow windows to the side. Dual inboard exhausts adorn the lower back end. Round wheel wells provide an arched attitude. Lighter-weight in nature than many other two-door sporty coupes, long side doors open/close with relative ease.
In front, the Lexus signature 'Spindle Grille' seems more imposing thanks to the low-to-the-ground stance. Resembling a truncated sand-filled hourglass, this center grille design gets filled which chrome-inspired diamond-top cross hashes increasing in girth as they flow downward. It's centered by the 45-degree L Lexus logo.
Inside, a detailed and svelte long, narrow dashboard and arching instrument panel include brim-like designs helping shade technologies from the sky sun when sans a roof. A pair of bolt-like twist dials extend out from the instrument panel arch; the left one monitors specific drive modes (eco, sport, etc.), the right, traction control. Selecting a specific drive mode changes the digital layout of the instrument panel.
Both the IP and in-dash multi-function screens burst with cosmic animation when pushing the electronic start button right of the instrument column. The 10.3-inch rectangular screen resides in the central dash below a long horizontal brim and above a cushiony shelf. It's not touch-sensitive, relying instead upon Lexus' latest "remote touch interface" technology. A welcome elegant extra; the analog clock embedded right of the screen.
Selecting screen options involves skating a fingertip up, down and all around a flat square surface/rink. Push down on the same flat surface with minimal finger pressure to select a highlighted category. Push buttons, chrome knob and scroll rollers outside the rink prod the process along. Secondary steering wheel audio controls work best once pre-sets get set.
The diminutive HVAC system includes eight chrome push buttons and top-side rectangular display window. Left of the steering column resides a row of dashboard buttons unlocking the fuel door and power trunk lid.
A permanently-fixed molded triangle-like grab handle stations just to the left of the floor console. It's welcome when entering as convertibles generally lack ceiling grab handles found in most hard-top vehicles.
Trunk size smartly remains usable and same-sized no matter the roof's up/down status. Yes, only 5.4 cubic feet awaits but there's enough room for a weekend's worth of luggage along with an assortment of golf clubs (as long as bulky bags remain tucked away in the garage).
Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone interplay comes standard in 2021; an upgrade from 2020 hardtops where only Apple CarPlay was on board. As an added perk, an old-school compact disc player comes with every purchase.
At a Glance
2021 LC 500 convertible
Price as tested: $112,420
Gas Engine: 5.0-liter V-8
Horsepower: 471
Wheelbase: 113.0 inches
Overall Length: 197.4 inches
Overall Width: 75.6 inches
Overall Height: 53.0 inches
Fuel economy: 15 mpg/25 mpg
Curb weight: 4,497 pounds
Recommended fuel: Premium unleaded
Assembly: Japan
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