2019 Lexus LC500: the Soft Personal Luxury Coupe
Lexus has been on a bit of a roll lately with its competitive and powerful F-brand cars, as well as the launch of their svelte LC coupe in 2017. I am left to wonder how a male would rate the LC500. No-one buys an automobile such as this without good, heartfelt, and compelling reason. It’s such an expensive, personal decision that mass-media opinionating really means nothing; I would like to know the author’s past vehicles and read her opinion on many other things before I decided on the LC500.
New Features
It may lack the aural theatre of its V8 twin, but the LC500h still makes you look and feel like a million bucks – for a fraction of that figure. Every 2019 LC receives a host of performance enhancements, newly standard equipment, and adds Extreme LED Light Bars and Obsidian to the paint-color palette. The 10-speed automatic has been revised to produce smoother shifts and stronger gear changes. Lexus also reworked the suspension for improved damping and ride comfort. The other technical changes include modified rear engine mounts and enhanced steering. The Enform infotainment system adds standard Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a remote-control smartphone app, Wi-Fi hotspot, and the latest voice-control and navigation software.
The Motivation
For motivation, Lexus uses its 5.0-liter V8, which is good for 471 horsepower. It sounds great, even if outright acceleration is rather pedestrian for a luxury coupe. We’re more impressed with the LC’s ride quality; the adjustable suspension allows an impressive balance between sport and a comfortable ride. And furthering the comfort for driver and passenger is the luxurious and futuristic interior, appointed in high-quality leather and simulated suede.
The Vision
Visually, the Lexus LC 500 and its hybrid sibling, the Lexus LC 500h share the same design and styling cues, the only difference being the specific Hybrid badging. The Hybrid even carries the split rectangular dual exhaust tips. The overall design is boldly expressive and is literally drop-dead gorgeous from virtually every viewing angle. It might well be referred to as seductively wrapped technology.
The 2019 Lexus LC rides a fine line between a sports coupe and a grand tourer, with the V8 erring toward the former while the hybrid leans latter. That puts it up against other, similarly positioned cars like the BMW 8 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and Porsche 911 However, each has certain benefits over the LC. The 8 Series is angrier looking and better to drive with more cargo capacity, while the S-Class rocks a level of luxury that’s very hard to top.
This car sets a new standard in its segment, merging power and utility with stylish proportions! All of the premium features expected of a Lexus are offered, including speed sensitive wipers, headlight systems including power front seats, and leather upholstery. Lexus made sure to keep road-handling and sportiness at the top of its priority list. Smooth gearshifts are achieved thanks to the powerful 8 cylinder engine, and for added security, dynamic Stability Control supplements the drivetrain.