For nearly 20 years, the Lexus SC was the luxury automaker's premier two-door coupe and convertible. Early on, it combined respectable performance with the ride comfort Lexus owners had come to expect. But by the end of its run in 2010, the SC 430 hardtop convertible was dated and generally unexciting compared to fresher European rivals. After an eight-year absence — during which time we've seen inspiring results from Lexus' LFA supercar and RC F coupe — Lexus is back in the midsize luxury coupe business with the 2018 LC 500.

The 2018 Lexus LC 500 is a luxury sport coupe that brilliantly marries comfort and performance. The suspension can soften to deliver traditional Lexus ride quality in Comfort mode, smoothing out all but the most dilapidated roads. The cabin is quiet and isolating. It has seating for four and is sold in a single trim (the LC 500h hybrid is reviewed separately) with a long list of standard equipment.

The LC 500 offers a wide range of driver aids, from parking sensors to adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The widescreen central display looks nice, but the touchpad that controls it is often frustrating to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto don't exist in Lexus land.

A first in the luxury segment, the all-new 10-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission delivers rapid-fire shift times with lightning-quick intelligence.
With 471 horsepower* and a 4.4-second 0-to-60 time,* the most powerful Lexus V8 ever built is also one of the most powerful naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engines in the world.

Hand-stitched features, hand-selected materials and an obsessive attention to detail come together to create the most expressive Lexus ever built.