2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible | Review & Road Test

For the latest Lexus LC 500 pricing and information:

Best-looking Lexus out there? Easy the LC 500.
But is the convertible version better or not? In the looks department, I will admit, I’m pretty torn.

The LC is gorgeous as a coupe.
But, while I’m here with the top dropped, we’ll focus a little more on this one.

Finally, the controversial Lexus spindle grille looks suitable here. The LC 500 feels like a concept car and that’s a face that looks over-the-top concepty.

The lines and shapes in the rest of the body look tremendous, and then there’s that bodacious rear end.
With the top down, I do miss some of that initial “pow” I get from the coupe, but the convertible is a stunner. If your head doesn’t turn when this drives by you, you might want to have your neck checked.

Lexus opted for a power-folding fabric top for the LC. The material feels substantial and with the top up it more than adequately secludes and quiets the cabin.

Incidentally, that top takes 15 seconds to retract and 16 to put back up, and either function can be done at speeds up to 31 mph.

And because that top’s been chopped off, the LC Convertible’s been structurally fortified.

The interior of the car gets a little more like the traditional Lexuses, you’re used to, but there’s still tons of great flagship fit and finish materials in here.

Buyers can get optional sport bucket seats up front with extra lateral support to keep butts in them when you’re cornering. Seatbelts, please!! I feel comfortable and supported in all the right places for my 5-5 dimensions.

The LC interior features an 8-inch multi-information display, two USB ports, and an analog clock. Classic. Truth be told, I’m not a fan of the Lexus infotainment interface. And this touchpad to operate it. It’s neither intuitive nor simple to me. I’ll leave it at that.

Driving the rear-wheel-drive LC feels almost as special as it looks. Lexus has reduced the weight in the car and switched to aluminum suspension arms. That lightness goes a long way in making the LC feel like more of a sports car and less of a tourer.

It also gets stiffer rear anti-roll bars that make turns feel sharper.
It’s got nice stability, even if I do still get some body roll in the corners. The Lexus Active Cornering Assist is now standard and automatically applies to the brakes to my inside wheels for better traction.

Handling definitely feels improved over the previous model year.
The LC Convertible gets active rollover bars that deploy if the driver is about to get into an accident.
Sorry, but I’m not pushing it that hard on Mulholland for the sake of this video today, kids. If you want to watch our other videos where we get squirrely subscribe to our YouTube channel!

The LC has nice grip coming out of turns, I prefer the feel of the acceleration out of the 5.0-liter V8 (471 horsepower @ 7,100 rpm; 398 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm)
over the hybrid that’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline and an electric motor. (combined 354 hp).
The convertible only comes with that naturally aspirated 8.

And with the top down, you can hear the rumbly goodness of those eight cylinders.

If you’re looking for similar sleds, the 2021 Lexus LC 500 competes with the BMW 8 Series the Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe, and the Jaguar F-Type.

The 2021 Lexus LC comes pretty loaded on the standard equipment side of things, including 20-inch alloy wheels, navigation, a 10.3-inch infotainment display, active sport exhaust, selectable drive modes, leather seats, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Rear-wheel steering, a limited-slip differential, and a climate concierge with upper body heating especially for the neck sound pretty interesting in the options department.
Engineers added a wind deflector to reduce noise. And they’ve got an active noise control system employed. I think it sounds pleasant, in here but there’s no one else around. If you can hear me let me know in the comments. I’ll let you judge just this once.

Chances are if you’re driving this type of car EPA numbers aren’t that important to you, but here they are should you be interested. (V8 city/highway 16 city/25 hwy mpg Hybrid: 26 city/34 hwy mpg)

The 2021 Lexus LC coupe starts at around $94,000 including the destination fees. The 2021 LC 500 hybrid starts closer to $98,600.

Pricing on the 2021 Lexus LC 500 convertible starts at $102,000.

This one I’m driving lands at a cool $112,000 bucks.
Incidentally, those prices are more than all of those competitors mentioned earlier.
So, do I prefer the coupe or the convertible, uhhhhh, I don’t, yeah, okay, I’m gonna go with the coupe, but mostly because a bird pooped on my head while I was filming in the convertible.

The LC 500 Convertible comes along with Lexus’ strong resale value, as well as solid build quality. Add the gorgeous good looks of this and now a chance to get the wind in the hair you have left. I say if you can, go for it!

[Gamblor]

Bird pooped on your head and you left that footage out? Talk about a missed opportunity to go viral!

[monolith]

Bird poop and questionable infotainment aside, this car almost seems like it was made for Lyn even if she prefers the coupe. Some things just look good together.

[LawrenceMarkFearon]

Never knew it had rear wheel steering too. Obviously the true competition is the Mercedes SL550, which matches up very closely except the SL is 581lbs lighter and armed with a power glass roof. This thing has got such an epic street presence. Your cinematographer truly did you justice. Came here from your IG and was NOT disappointed.

[FloridaClay]

Drop dead gorgeous, but just a tad over my budget I fear.

[fearfactz]

Man.. These roads shots are amazing. Very one of a kind and unique. It's so nice to see what the car looks like on the road.

[fontkinga]

Terrific job. The convertible does not feature four wheel steering as a minor correction to your review. Besides, for the average person the wing and four wheel steering are just things to go wrong in the future. This isn't a race car. It's designed for exactly the way you're driving it. The performance of this vehicle is way beyond the skill level of normal folks like you and me. If you want a track car, buy a car specifically designed for the track. The LC500 is a car you get into and never want to get out. It's so luxurious and so well constructed you find yourself feeling guilty for paying so little for what you got. Coupling the design, engineering and fit and finish with Lexus reliability means when things do go wrong, your repair bill would be a small fraction of what a British, Italian or German car would cost. $100k??? That's a bargain for this car.

[tahj]

I have this Lexus. 😍 Only able to drive it when I’m dreaming though. 🤨😊

[thebosss]

Just got mine today, absolutely love it!!

[shayanhumayun]

3:00 Omg that stability while turning looks so much cool 😎 the tyre grip is really appreciable ❤

[ilgwent]

DA MOST SENSUAL ROADSTER IN ITS CLASS & BEYOND

[naugordon]

The LC 500 is undeniably one of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen. I own a 2021 red convertible, and even when I’m not driving it, I find joy in just admiring it parked in the garage. While there may be faster or more expensive cars out there, I challenge anyone to find one more beautiful. I’ve even named mine Halle Berry, since having the real Halle Berry isn’t an option! 😄🚗

[joeR]

I believe that I can listen to this beauty all day. She adds class to the convertible too 😃😃

[maplefreak]

This design and these V8 natural feelings seem very good.

[Jvst_Manni]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS CAR! Good job LYNN!

[chrisperry]

Gorgeous car + gorgeous driver = I'll take it!

[MAINEiac]

The L stands for Legend.
This has to be the most gorgeous interior I've ever seen. And the exhaust note is beyond sexy. I WANT!!

[alexandermonday]

I’m in the process of buying a Inspiration series model. The dealership are bait switching from $121, 500.00 MSRP, to $171, 500.00. They don’t tell you this until you get ready to purchase it. I refuse to pay that inflated price for this car. The sales pitch is they are only making 100 of them, so that is why we mark them up by $50, 000. I tell all the salesmen that these are niche cars like my 2012 SL63 AMG that I bought used one year old with 4000 miles for $99, 500.00. The SL63 sold brand new for $151, 500.00 and it was certified. I also bought a 1997 Plymouth Prowler with 2000 miles on it 4 years old for $32.000. The original owner paid $90, 000.00 for a $38, 000.00 car. These cars are sitting on showroom floors waiting for suckers, even the regular convertibles are being bait switched from $10, 000.00 to $30, 000.00 . I’ve done my research and I’ve found brand new 2019 yellow and 2020 green Inspiration Series cars still on showroom floors for discounts selling for $92, 000.00 . Like you said I always tell the salesman I’m not in love with a car, and I can wait and purchase it at the right price. I tell them they can contact me when they are ready to sell it at MSRP, or I’ll just wait and buy it used with low mileage for $80, 000.00 .

[CarsofGlasgow]

Great video, I have the SC and love it! That LC droptop is sexy!

[dentonarmstrong]

“...mostly because a bird pooped on my head”

Hahaha

Waiting for a bird to do that in my wrangler with my top constantly off lol

[maplefreak]

Exterior and convertible soft top. I want more variations with these colors.
I wish Lexus to apply a individual special order.