Few modern cars manage to blend timeless design, naturally aspirated performance, and everyday drivability quite like this Japanese V-8 grand tourer. With its striking proportions, meticulously crafted interior, and an exhaust note that could make even seasoned enthusiasts pause, it’s a rare example of a luxury coupe that feels special every time you drive it.
While many rivals have downsized or moved to turbocharged or hybrid powertrains, this model keeps things refreshingly pure. Its high-revving V-8 delivers both effortless cruising power and a visceral connection to the road, making long highway stretches and winding backroads equally rewarding.
Collectors are already starting to take notice, with well-kept examples holding their value impressively. Given its combination of low production numbers, distinctive styling, and mechanical character, this coupe is on a clear trajectory toward future classic status, making it as much an emotional purchase as a smart long-term investment.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA. This article focuses on luxury car sales, excluding crossovers and SUVs.
The Lexus LC 500 is Potentially the Last of Its Kind
The world is quite clearly heading into a new age, with hybrids and electric cars slowly but surely staging a takeover. In this era of complexity and downsizing, the Lexus LC 500 is indulgent. It may not be the quickest nor the sharpest, but it offers a theatrical experience that is hard to find elsewhere.
What Makes the LC 500 Special?
This is a question that is pretty simple to pin down on the surface, but the deeper you dig, the more you find. At its core, the Lexus is a sleek 2+2 coupe with a naturally aspirated V-8 under the hood and rear-wheel drive. Where its competition has ditched nostalgia and emotion in the hopes of chasing down the fastest lap times, the LC has held out. The result is one of the smoothest and most enjoyable cars on the road.
Lexus has built its name on being soft and understated. Over the years, there have been few cars that they have produced that have broken away from the brand’s signature minimalist styling. In more ways than one, the LC 500 is loud. Its engine creates a symphony as you sneak through twisty sections of road, and it is guaranteed to pull eyes your way no matter where you are.
LC 500
$101,200
$104,800
$108,400
LC 500 Convertible Bespoke
$113,900
If you’re looking for a premium sports car, the LC 500 has always been one of themost affordable options out there. Finding another grand touring car that offers this level of luxury while still having eight cylinders under the hood is not something that is easily achieved. While we’re not claiming that a $100,000+ price tag is cheap, it is undeniably good value when all the car’s core rivals cost tens of thousands more.
There is a hybrid V-6-powered model, the Lexus LC 500h, but we think this completely goes against what this sports car stands for. We’d stick with the V-8. Choosing between the coupe and the convertible is completely down to personal preference, with both being equally stunning. While a lot of customization comes down to what you like, we would suggest grabbing the Touring package, which adds a ton for only a $2,000 upcharge.
This Is a Coupe That Is Meant To Be Savored
The Lexus LC 500 is not particularly conventional. Rivals, like the BMW M850i, the Porsche 911, and the Aston Martin Vantage, all aim to be razor-sharp instruments. They may be plush, but they balance comfort with a need to decimate lap times. The Lexus, however, fullyleans into its identity as a luxury cruiser.
471 HP
398 LB-FT
0-60 MPH
Top Speed
168 MPH
Under the hood of every LC 500 is possibly the most alluring part of this car, a beautifully crafted naturally aspirated V-8 engine. When it comes to sound design, Lexus has hit it out of the park with their coupe. This engine produces one of the most beautiful sounds that could ever grace the ears of a petrol head. Pair this with rear-wheel drive and a sleek ten-speed, and you have a stunningly dramatic machine.
Rivals of the LC 500 are all quicker. With a 4.6-second zero to 60 time, the Lexus is among the slowest cars in its class. We think this is the main reason why this car is so tragically misunderstood. You aren’t meant to take it to the track or drag race other cars from a stop light. Where other grand tourers are steak and whiskey, the LC 500 is wine and cheese. You’re meant to take your time with it, and let its subtlety speak to you.
Safety and Driver Assists
One of the most appealing aspects of any Lexus is the technology on offer. As well as delivering a brilliantly comfortable ride, a plethora of driver assists can make your daily commute much more bearable. This versatility helps define the LC 500 as a coupe that you don’t have to wait till the weekend to drive.
Lexus includes a huge number of standard features in the LC 500, including a number of collision detection and avoidance systems. Dynamic radar cruise control is also standard across the board. If you want more advanced features, you can opt to add blind spot monitoring and lane tracing as optional extras.
Owning This Naturally Aspirated V-8 Grand Tourer Won’t Bankrupt You
Alongside having steep price tags, premium grand tourers often come with excessive costs associated with ownership. This includes things like maintenance and insurance.Depreciation is also something that hits hardat this price point. Compared to its rivals, the LC 500 is impressively affordable to keep in good shape.
This Coupe is Built to Last
As a brand, Lexus is renowned for its reliability. Not only do they beat luxury brands when it comes to longevity, but they are considered to be more reliable than most mainstream brands as well. For example, J.D. Power awards the high-end luxury sports car 92 out of 100 for quality and reliability. This makes it one of the highest-ranking cars that they have reviewed.
I’ve own mine since 2018 and it’s been amazing! I have to get my LC500 fix every day even if it’s just to drive it around the block a couple of times. I wish I could afford two. One to drive and another to keep so when this one wears out I’ll have another one on hand.
Cars.com
Owners have very few negative things to say about the LC, with reliability being a big positive. On Cars.com, there is no model year that scores less than 4.5 stars out of five for reliability, which is a pretty impressive feat.
Maintenance Costs Are Impressively Low
According to CarEdge’s estimates, the LC 500 is easily the most affordable car in its class when it comes to maintenance. They claim that over ten years of ownership, you’ll spend $5,088 less than the average for premium coupes. Lexus also offers a pretty comprehensive warranty plan and offers your first scheduled maintenance visit on the house.
They Hold Their Value Ridiculously Well
CarEdge estimates that the LC 500 will depreciate 49 percent in its first five years on the road. This assumes pretty heavy usage, though, with their calculations based on you driving it 13,500 miles a year. The reality is, though, that nobody drives a $100,000 car that much.
Scrolling through the used market, you quickly see that the reality is far from CarEdge’s estimates. The average price of a 2020 LC 500 currently sits at $72,419 on Edmunds. The truth is that if you take good care of it, there is a pretty healthy market for these cars where buyers are willing to pay quite a bit of money.
If the automotive world continues on its current trajectory, we doubt that another rear-wheel drive, naturally aspirated V-8 grand tourer will come out of Japan. It is already a unicorn and as time goes on we can imagine its appeal will only grow. Years from now, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the value of this fantastic machine going up instead of down.
