Flash Drive

2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible

February 24, 2021 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 convertible is as fun to drive as it is stunning to see.

Engine: 5.0-liter V-8, 471 horsepower 398 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 10-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 15-mpg city, 18-mpg highway, 25-mpg combined

Base Price: $101,000

As Tested: $113,490

Performance:

Precision V-8

The Lexus LC 500 is available in coupe and convertible body styles.

Excellent acceleration

Great exhaust note, powerful but not raucous

Very confident road manners on all surfaces

Multiple distinct driving modes

Snow traction control feature

Strong brakes

OK fuel economy—our best was 24.2-mpg highway

Great fun whether going slow or spiritedly

Comfort:

Wonderful front seats the kinds you could enjoy all day

The interior is luxurious and comfortable for two, but the back seat is best for miscellaneous gear.

Supportive, but not too rigid

Heated and ventilated seats

Neck heater vents for top-down cruising

Thick, contoured heated steering wheel

Power tilt/telescopic column

Stretch-out legroom

Ample headroom

Rear seat is good for coats and/or purse/briefcase

Well-insulated convertible top equals a quiet interior

Top retracts quickly

The convertible seats have built-in heat vents to keep neck and shoulders warm on brisk drives.

Can be retracted at less than 30 mph

Effective wind deflector

Utility:

Small shallow trunk, but OK for a weekend trip

Long, shallow door bins

Excellent head up display

Small, locking glovebox

WOW Factors:

Stunning styling—the kind you look back at each time you park

A rolling piece of automotive sculpture

Super comfortable front seats

Standard wheels are 20-inches in diameter, but these are the optional 21-inch units.

Impressive performance

Precision engineering and construction

Convertible top retracts very quickly

Ideal two-person luxury touring car

Impressive sound system

Whines:

Limited trunk space, but that’s the price of a convertible

$2650 extra for 21-inch wheels

Still not fond of the track pad infotainment control

An open road on a gorgeous day is where the 2021 Lexus LC 500 convertible really comes alive.

Bottom Line:

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 convertible isn’t a car you need—it’s a car you want.The LC 500 is a beautifully crafted production car that equals or exceeds dream cars of the past. The Lexus LC 500 is so well executed that its six-figure price tag seems very justifiable. The future is here and it’s as comfortable and thrilling to drive, as it is stunning to simply admire.