Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Lexus LC500 – performance and 0-60mph time

Doesn’t feel as fast as the numbers suggest thanks to the atmospheric V8’s peaky delivery. The hybrid feels sluggish and inert

Evo rating
  • Superb chassis balance; engine; interior; design
  • Transmission the weak link; iffy infotainment; hybrid nothing like as good as the V8

With either the hybrid or V8, the LC is not the fastest GT car in its class, that’s for sure. The hybrid, despite a reasonable 359bhp combined power figure, takes a leisurely 5sec to reach 62mph. Performance is hardly electric, but as a cruiser the hybrid’s powertrain does just about enough to make it feel sufficiently fast for cruising situations. Top speed is pegged at 155mph. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The LC500 V8 is only 0.3sec quicker, reaching 62mph in 4.7sec, despite the generous bump in horsepower. The V8’s 458bhp isn’t that accessible either, thanks to its arrival way up at 7100rpm, but this is not quite the disadvantage it might seem; we’ll get back to that later. The heavier LC500 Convertible takes longer still to reach 62mph at 5sec, and in this case does feel a tad underpowered thanks mostly to the extra weight it has to carry around in comparison to the V8 coupe.  

If you’re expecting supercar performance from this sporting coupe then, one might need to look elsewhere, but the LC’s magic doesn’t reveal itself on paper. Instead, it’s sometimes because of this lack of performance that the LC feels like it offers something unique.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Volkswagen Passat 2025 review – a breath of fresh air next to leaden EVs
Volkswagen Passat front
Reviews

Volkswagen Passat 2025 review – a breath of fresh air next to leaden EVs

Being ‘only’ 1500kg has its advantages. The latest Passat in petrol-only form reminds us ‘normal’ cars can and should be above average
16 Apr 2025
Best German cars – our high-performance favourites from the Fatherland
Best German cars
Best cars

Best German cars – our high-performance favourites from the Fatherland

If you still think Germans don’t have a sense of humour, you haven’t driven their finest performance cars. You’d be grinning from ear to ear
18 Apr 2025
Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name
Vauxhall Astra GSE
Opinion

Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name

It’s time to reassess a perennially underrated hatchback, says Porter
17 Apr 2025