The Lexus LC 500 is an odd goose in the performance market as it is unable to play with the high-rolling gentlemen racers like Aston Martin or Porsche. Instead, it sort of sits in a class all on its own and to Lexus, its not like that’s a bad thing. Even though the LC 500 is one of very few with the last remaining naturally aspirated V-8 engines on the planet, it really starts to separate itself in the form of its hybrid performance. Now, now, don’t go thinking that Lexus is trying to keep pace with the Ferrari’s and McLaren’s of the hybrid performance world. What the LC 500h has is the best of both worlds, a fuel-efficient sports car with a beautiful silhouette that happens to be such a joy to drive.  

With its 5-year production, this certainly isn’t our first time in the LC 500 as you can see here, here and here. However, all of those were the 5.0-liter V-8 that produced a sound that even Beethoven would shed a tear over. In fact, this is our second time with the hybrid variant as our first experience was back in 2018 and boy have, we have forgotten how enjoyable, yet how complicated the LC 500h can be.   

Starting at $102,350, the hybrid is surprisingly more expensive than the more powerful V-8 alternative. But once you sit inside, the sticker shock becomes less apparent as the LC 500 gives the impression of exclusivity with high quality materials, one of the most comfortable leather seats around and suede finishes in all the right places. It’s the home away from home.   

Despite having 117-less horsepower than the V8, the LC 500h’s Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid with two electric motors and its 354-combined horsepower is nothing to be shy about. It’s a unique, complicated setup that is unlike any other hybrid system that uses a Multi-Stage drivetrain system and two transmissions, a hybrid continuously variable transmission and an Aisin four-speed automatic transmission. The concept is riveting and when refreshing our memory on its engineering, we forgot just how complicated it is, even for this Architect. So I’m not going to bore you to death with details… mostly because I don’t really understand them.  

What I can say is that on the road, you wouldn’t know that this hybrid uses a complex sophisticated setup. You get a sense that the CVT is doing most of the work with the sensation of a 10-gear transmission, which helps keep the high rpms from droning like those you hear in a traditional hybrid. Despite the gearing being artificial, it is responsive and engaging when opting for the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.   

On the scales, the hybrid powertrain makes the LC 500 heavier than its gasoline option, but by only such a small about, still enough to add nearly half a second to its 0-60-mph run seeing as the hybrid takes nearly 5.0-second to achieve such speeds. But again, the hybrid is still no slouch. Where the added weight starts to provide leverage is in its weight distribution. The structure feels well composed with urbane compliance from the adaptive dampers that even in the Sport + drive mode it doesn’t warrant any harsh vibrations. 

Considering its higher price tag and heftier weight, the hybrid starts to pay dividends where it counts, in its fuel consumption. Some may say that 30-mpg’s isn’t impressive. However, given the nature of the LC 500 and what it is engineered to do, 30-mpg’s is a gold mind. Especially considering that the last time we tested the V-8 option, we got less than 14-miles to the gallon. And with its exceptional fuel consumption, the LC dishes out one last surprise, its range – our test car carried a range of over 700-miles to its tank. So, while all the other performance cars need to stop for fuel after 200-miles, the LC can run an additional 500-miles more circles around them.   

For 2023, Lexus launched a new spin on the LC 500 with a new Bespoke Edition that allows customers to completely customize their LC to their exact specifications. No longer are you limited to certain options to certain exterior color palettes with certain interior packages – it is all customizable, from rims, paint color, interior colors, equipment options, etc… Also newly introduced was Lexus’ latest 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless phone connectivity and updated software that simplifies the screen management and eliminates the touchpad interface.   

When it comes down to picking between the two, the V-8 and the hybrid, it really does make for a tough call. I personally would choose the V-8 because I am a sucker for throwing money at the fuel pump just to have my ears melt from the sound. But our colleague begged us to differ and opted for the hybrid due to its clever engineering, exceptional fuel consumption and felt it was more pleasant to drive, despite the inability to do a burn out – but that is a hybrid for you. The LC 500h really does make the best of both worlds.