2025 Lexus LC500 Reminds Us To Appreciate The Present

Just when you think Moore’s law is hard at work, ensuring we move swiftly and confidently into the future, Lexus comes along and seems to defy the laws of nature. We are supposed to let go of what was and embrace the electric future. We must learn to enjoy forced induction and a more synthetic experience for the sake of the greenwashed plot. Then why is it that Lexus still builds the LC? More specifically, the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V-8 powertrain that motivates it. My guess is that in the very Japanese way of doing things, once you perfect something, just keep making more brilliant examples of it. There’s nothing wrong with having more of what was so carefully crafted to be the flagship of your brand. The more people have the opportunity to experience this car, the better off humanity will be.

Lexus so graciously loaned us a “Bespoke Build” 2025 LC500 coupe finished in the gorgeous shade of “Copper Crest” over a black Alcántara interior. The forged 21-inch optional 10-split spoke wheels were, surprisingly, just a $40 upgrade over the standard wheels. A $995 active rear spoiler, $2,400 carbon fiber roof, $650 dark smoked chrome trim pack, $600 carbon fiber scuff plates, $1,220 Mark Levinson stereo, $900 head-up display, and $1,700 Alcántara headliner were all optioned in addition. The bold copper color is a $595 option. The grand total for the build is $113,900.

2025 Lexus LC500 First Impressions

It just takes one quick glance at a Copper Crest-colored to know your $113,900 went to the right place. These days, that kind of money isn’t a huge ask for a sports car. Don’t get me wrong, that’s still a massive number, but then again, this is a stunning automobile, even just to look at. Let’s not forget it might be one of the closest executions, in styling, to the concept of any production car, ever. The LC is a bold, angular, wildly mesmerizing thing to stare at. It has a beautifully proportioned body, and is just the right size. It’s small enough to feel properly sporty, but large enough to be a luxury item.

It’s a beautiful car inside and out. The exterior set a new standard for Lexus when it arrived, and the interior consists of a mix of the best of LS with its flowy textured surfaces and floating door handles, and F products such as the configurable/moving gauge cluster with its top-mounted mode selectors on each side. The design is elegant, well-executed, and fairly timeless. I couldn’t decide whether it was better suited for a soft beach scene or a more rugged mountain scene, so I took it to both, just to stop and look at it in different settings. While Lexus offers some brilliant colors, especially through the “Bespoke” program, I do wish there were a more extensive color pallette, particularly for the interior color selections.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

The LC500 roars to life, with just the right amount of revs to make you feel like you’re about to embark on a special journey. It’s not a new engine, but damn is it a great one. Codenamed 2UR-GSE, the 5.0-liter no-nonsense, zero-gimmicks naturally aspirated V-8 engine is an ironic breath of fresh air in a world filled with forced-induction, hybridized crap. It sounds great at idle throughout the mid-range, and at its 7,200 RPM rev limiter. Power delivery is direct, linear, and smooth. It’s one of the smoothest V-8s I’ve experienced, but then that was always kind of a Lexus “thing”, wasn’t it? In the IS500, you hear more induction noise with its flappy electronic intake sound valve. In the LC500, it’s all about exhaust noise. Both are exciting, but I love hearing the song of the V-8 reverb against canyon walls. The super-crisp crack between gears is so satisfying.

Then there’s the steering, which is quick enough to work wonders on a twisty back road, but soft enough to be a comfy daily commuter. The suspension tuning is wonderful. This car is properly smooth, with a ride rivaling that of some luxury sedans. Then, when things get spicy in the corners, it handles relatively flat, making the most of that plush suspension to soak up road imperfections mid-corner. It’s not a supercar by any means, but cruise along an interesting bit of road at 6/10ths, and you’ll be having the time of your life. The 10-speed transmission is a massive step forward from the old eight-speed in the IS500, although I’m not convinced it needs another two ratios. This one actually rev-matches shifts and feels much more suited to spirited driving. It’s overall less clunky and feels far more premium. Lexus LC perfectly blurs the line between an elegant GT and a sharp sports car. Every single time I walk up to it, sit in it, fire it up, and go drive, it feels special, and I always want to take the longer route.

Braking And Acceleration

With “just” 471 horsepower, it might be easy to dismiss the LC500 as something on the “slower” side of the competition, but since when is a mid-four-second sprint to 60 miles per hour slow? We have become so desensitized by the horsepower war of hybridization and forced induction that we forget to just enjoy the moment. Based on the character of the LC500’s engine, transmission, and chassis, I can almost guarantee you’ll have a better time accelerating in this car than any of the over-hyped turbocharged nonsense out there. Pin the go-pedal and the throaty V-8 puts down its power honestly and predictably. The journey from idle all the way to redline is an event every single time. It’s power that’s reliable, and you can actually use all of it. The Lexus LC500 is still a mighty quick car, any way you look at it.

The brakes are equally impressive. Not once did I find them to be inadequate for the weight or power of the car. The initial bite is positive, and there is plenty of braking power to bring things from a boil to a simmer in an instant. Between the snappy V-8 and strong performance brakes, it makes the relatively large LC feel far smaller than it actually is. It’s a confidence-inspiring recipe.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 4.4 Seconds
• Braking: 60-0 MPH: 114 Feet

Performance Specifications

Lexus LC500 Fuel Economy

The EPA rates the LC500 at a combined 20 miles per gallon, but the reality is that my heavy right foot never really allowed me to see that number because of the constant need to hear the 5.0-liter sing. At calm highway cruising speed, the numbers are there, but the combined number was a bit lower at around 18 MPG. Thankfully, the MPG ratings can be more accurate or easier to achieve in the real world thanks to the lack of turbocharging. Turbos are notorious for draining fuel tanks when pushing engines a bit harder than normal.

Interior Design And Comfort

As far as interiors go, the Lexus LC500 is a beautiful space to sit in. The sport seats are far more supportive and offer more bolstering than necessary, but it adds to the exotic nature of the LC. Visibility is great, although because of the dramatic proportions of the car, it can be a bit odd to place when parallel parking. The 360-degree camera is your friend, and with a designated button front and center, there is never an issue. LC’s design is a subtle rip from the LS, but with elements of Lexus F mixed in. The lines and materials create a flowing effect that starts from the dashboard and moves through the doorcards. The floating handles and mixed materials, including a decent amount of polished aluminum, elevate the space. It’s fairly timeless.

Being a four-seater helps with small groups in a pinch or for children. It also offers extra cargo space for small daily on-the-go items. The carbon fiber scuff plates give an extra hint of exotic feel that contrasts with the otherwise soft, comfy interior, blending it with the sharp, sporty exterior. Everything is easily adjusted with buttons designated for all the essential controls. The cabin is quiet and isolating, but for a luxury GT car, it fits that character well. Roll down the windows to hear more of the glorious engine if needed.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Just like the IS500, I struggled in the LC500 to decide whether to listen to music on the stand-out Mark Levinson stereo or the mechanical roars of the powertrain. The system is so powerful, clear, and never ceases to amaze the ears. This is a good car to hear new music in, so that you can choose your new favorite songs. The graphics are clear, and the infotainment screen itself is the perfect size and shape so as not to obstruct forward visibility. It’s also easy to navigate the menus. Apple CarPlay works perfectly with this infotainment.

Lexus has come a long way in this department, and now offers one of the most seamless solutions in the business. The gauge display isn’t anything new, but still remains one of the best in the industry with its center tachometer that blends physical and digital while also being able to be re-positioned. The drive mode and traction control selectors on each end of the gauge cluster housing are brilliant solutions, giving more of that fighter jet feel.

Cargo And Storage Space

Cargo space is not the LC500’s strong suit, but that doesn’t mean it’s terribly impractical. As mentioned before, in addition to the designated cargo trunk, the rear seats offer extra space for daily things if the car is primarily used as a two-seater, which I suspect in most cases it would be. There is also a slick center console that both retracts a bit to offer two cupholders/places for keys and wallet, but then opens sideways to reveal a deeper storage area along with USB-C ports. The glovebox is electronically opened, but it is a bit shallow in space.

2025 Lexus LC500 Vs. Its Competitors

The Lexus LC500 and competitors from BMW and Mercedes-Benz all fulfill the large luxury coupe segment in their own striking way. The Germans continue to push the boundaries with new tech and constant updates, while Lexus’s updates are smaller steps with the LC. No car is perfect, but the Lexus reminds us of the greatness of the automotive industry of yesterday and why we don’t always need to switch up the recipe. BMW and Mercedes, with their M850i coupe and AMG GT55 coupe offerings, show that innovation can give the sporty coupe a promising spot in the automotive future.

How The BMW M850i Compares To The Lexus LC500

Both the BMW M850i and Lexus LC500 are competent, daily-able modern hot-rods. They are gorgeous, fast, and luxurious. While the Lexus is more of a “special occasion” type of car, the BMW remains a slightly better everyday driver.

Performance

There’s no denying BMW’s M850i is a monster at straight-line speed. The 8-Series is all M under the hood, rightfully gaining the M as part of its name. While the BMW is certainly a quick car, its isolation from the driving experience can seem like a bit of a bore compared to the rowdier LC500. Lexus may not have the power advantage, but it definitely has the theatrics nailed. You have to decide which you’d like, drama from Lexus, or speed from BMW.

Comfort

Both offer sublime ride quality and comfy interiors to match, but the BMW just feels a bit more roomy, and offers more space for your things. Both are technically four-seaters, but you’d really want to treat them as two-seaters, plus room for bags in the back. Ingress and egress are easier in the BMW, but then the Lexus has the better seats. Overall, the BMW will offer a more relaxed environment for a longer period of time, while the Lexus will keep your serotonin flowing.

Technology

Modern iDrive from BMW is hideous. The 8-series gets a watered-down version as they haven’t shoehorned the massive widescreen into the 8-Series yet, so that’s certainly a plus. While it’s bearable, the Lexus just offers a more seamless experience, with the right number of physical buttons, toggles, and a screen that, ergonomically, makes more sense.

How The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT55 Compares To The Lexus LC500

Even in mid-grade “55” form, the Mercedes-AMG GT55 is a serious performance car. It puts out about the same power as the Lexus LC500, but far more torque. The Lexus has more finesse though, and although it’s a less-focused sports car, it still has the drama to match the quicker AMG.

Performance

Hands-down, the GT55 is the better car for putting down a quick lap time. With its slick all-wheel drive, the AMG is also a bit more versatile. Its engine is fantastic, but even the legendary AMG V-8 can’t compete in the theater department as compared to the LC500’s naturally aspirated V-8. The Lexus is more honest, more brutally loud. It might actually fit the character of the AMG better than its own turbocharged V-8 does. If you’re tracking the cars, take the GT55, but for a drive that will always put a smile on your face, the LC500 is it.

Comfort

Lexus is the winner in terms of comfort. The GT/SL cars from Mercedes-AMG have become, in a word, rough. The ride is truly unacceptable for a luxury item, especially at the prices they charge. The Lexus also has better seats, so this is a no-brainer. If you like your spine intact, then the LC500 has your back.

Technology

While the LC500 has a simpler and more seamless infotainment/tech integration, the Mercedes offers much more. There are all kinds of modes and adjustments you can make using the AMG rotary knobs. The infotainment just offers more in general, and even the center gauge display packs more. The LC looks sleeker, and less gimmicky, but the AMG GT55 is a tech-lover’s dream.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

Lexus offers a hybrid version of the LC500. It combines an electric motor with their 3.5-liter V-6 engine. That variant costs some three grand more (to start) than a 5.0-liter-equipped LC. It’s less powerful, less exciting, heavier, and more problematic. Definitely stick to the “normal” LC500 when considering one. A convertible is also offered, but the soft top ruins the iconic lines of the LC a bit. The signature coupe styling is a significant part of the LC500 experience, so unless you absolutely need to have an open-air drive, again, just go for the coupe. This is a classic case of paying less, but getting so much more in return.