2018 Lexus LC 500h Review

The Lexus LC 500h is available in only one trim, but several desirable optional packages transform the character of the car and give it a personalized touch. Though we think the LC offers excellent outward visibility for a sports car, we recommend adding the Convenience package for blind-spot monito...

The incredibly complex and intriguing transmission combo of a CVT and a four-speed automatic is also the LC 500h's weak point, which ties in with the braking issues. Downshift response is lacking at times, and the transmission is busy and often uncertain of the actions it should take.

This LC's hybrid is quicker than its specs suggest, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in a reasonably quick 5 seconds. But it's not as punchy and satisfying as the V8 car. There are occasional power fluctuations when not at full throttle.

The complicated hybrid system affects the way the LC 500h switches between regenerative and standard braking. The brake pedal's engagement can be inconsistent if you're driving in stop-and-go traffic, and the pedal feel is numb. Panic stops from 60 mph are stable and relatively respectable at 111 fe...

The steering feels tuned more for comfort than toward performance. There's not much feedback on what the front tires are doing. But the steering is precise and weighted appropriately light for a grand tourer.

As a grand-touring hybrid, the LC 500h performs as expected. It has superb weight balance and its run-flat tires stick decently. But tighter roads reveal its beefy curb weight, and the lack of feedback from the steering and the brakes doesn't help.

The incredibly complex and intriguing transmission combo of a CVT and a four-speed automatic is also the LC 500h's weak point, which ties in with the braking issues. Downshift response is lacking at times, and the transmission is busy and often uncertain of the actions it should take.

Our tester's standard seats are more comfortable than the optional sport seats and are appropriate for this impressively comfortable grand tourer. The ride is excellent, highway noise is minimal, and the climate control works very well when left to its own devices.

Our tester's standard seats are supportive, even though they have less bolstering than the optional sport seats. The seat cushioning is pleasantly supportive, but the seatback lacks height-adjustable lumbar. They may feel less ideal for bigger, wider body types.

The adaptive suspension is adept at absorbing large and small road imperfections. Even with big 20-inch wheels and stiff run-flat tires, the LC is comfortable without feeling disconnected from the road. That said, we were hard-pressed to notice much difference between different drive modes.

There's some noticeable wind noise at freeway speeds and, depending on the road surface, some tire noise, too. But around town or on well-kept roads, the LC 500h is pleasantly quiet, especially when running in EV mode. The V6 hybrid's sound isn't as pleasant as the V8's.

The automatic climate control works well, and the automatic seat heating and cooling is a nice touch. Basic temperature adjustments are easy, and there are voice commands for several climate functions. But for full manual control, you need to use the touchpad system, which is very awkward.

Good visibility and a comfortable, sporty driving position are the highlights. This Lexus is also easier to get in and out of than many low-slung coupes. The cabin is mostly very upscale, with a few exceptions. The biggest letdown is the frustrating touchpad infotainment interface.

While everything's easy to reach, many controls are frustrating to use. Locating options in the infotainment system with its awkward haptic touchpad interface is one problem. The steering wheel controls take a bit of getting used to because not all are intuitively placed or labeled.

Access is slightly easier than in many sports cars thanks to a seat that's higher relative to the ground than ones in some competitors and a steering wheel that moves out of the way. But the long doors mean plenty of clearance is needed, and there's a high and wide sill to step over.

The seat feels appropriately low and snug inside the car thanks to a sporting position and the high beltline and armrests. Taller drivers will want more telescoping from the steering wheel. Otherwise the position is comfortable and provides a clear view of the gauges, controls and the road ahead.

The cabin is surprisingly small relative to the LC 500h's size, but it isn't out of line for the class. The bulky transmission tunnel and raked greenhouse sides mean you have little room to move. The rear seat is useless for adults or even taller children.

Visibility out the front and rear is surprisingly good, although the front end of the car is hard to judge because of the hood's slope and grille's bulbous shape. The small side mirrors and the thick rear roof pillars mean rear three-quarter visibility isn't great.

Overall quality is exceptionally high with compelling interior design to match. Leather, simulated suede, and metal or metal-feeling plastics abound, and everything is assembled to a high level. It's an interior befitting a car of this class, and possibly beyond it.

The LC 500h has very little usable space considering its size. Small-item storage is at a premium, without even a good spot to store your phone for easy access. The trunk is very small and gets hot quickly. The back seat is the most useful storage space in the vehicle.

The door pockets, glovebox and armrest bin are all small. The cupholders are poorly placed: One is limited by overhanging trim and the other obstructs the touchpad. The armrest bin is the only option for phone storage, but it requires two steps to access and only hinges open facing the driver.

At 4.7 cubic feet, the trunk is smaller than both the standard LC 500's trunk and Porsche 911's. It's small and shallow with a high liftover, so you'll be limited to a couple of small bags. There's no extra storage under the trunk floor, and the trunk gets quite hot after even relatively short drive...

There are LATCH points for rear outboard seats, but rear access is difficult enough already, and the sorely limited rear-seat space means that finding a gauge that fits and maneuvering it into place would both be Herculean tasks.

It's unfortunate that a car, which looks so space age on the outside, should be saddled with Lexus' technology on the inside. While the trick sliding gauge cluster is a nice touch, the infotainment system is particularly frustrating, and voice controls yield inconsistent results.

Our car's Mark Levinson system was truly excellent, but the nav system just isn't up to par. It requires a precise address, otherwise finding a destination is somewhere between "very involved" and "impossible" unless you call destination assist. And talking with a human is an awkward solution.

Bluetooth works quite well, and the ability to browse your phone's content through the Bluetooth connection is nice, but the car lacks Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Enform apps are available, but you only get a limited selection of apps, and not all are preferable to their standard counterparts.

A full suite of driver aids is included. The rearview camera works well enough, although considering the car's size, a 360 camera would be nice. Forward and rear parking sensors help. Adaptive cruise mostly works well, but it can occasionally be unpredictably overreactive and requires minding.

Voice controls offer a lot of functionality, and there are spoken and on-screen guides, but results are inconsistent until you use the voice-training program. Frustratingly, if you make a mistake in some processes, which are several steps long, you have to start over rather than going back a step.