3 Reasons the Lexus LC is a Modern Classic
Or, why we’re still searching the couch for some extra coin.
There are some cars that are basically auto journo catnip. Cars that are so good we struggle to find problems with them.
The Lexus LC is one such car.
Since the dramatic coupe rolled off auto show plinths and into dealerships six years ago, it has won praise from all critical corners—AutoGuide included. See exhibits A, B, C, D—you get the idea. For 2024, it got even better, changing out one of the few pain points of the old car: its infotainment.
While there’s no sign Lexus is pulling the plug any time soon, we know what they say about all good things. So here are three reasons we encourage those able to buy this modern classic. (And none of them include “so we can buy it second-hand in a decade.”)
Just look at it
Remember when the current Lexus grille debuted? The face you may remember from its previous works fighting Schwarzenegger in the jungle? Little did we know Lexus was playing the long game, finessing the proportions until it landed on this stunner. The windswept shape, the short overhangs, the kicked-up lip of the trunk; this might just be one of the prettiest cars currently in production. Lexus has put in work on the details too: the contrasting trim around the headlights combines the elements in a way that feels natural, while the three-dimensional aspect of the taillights at night looks like a sci-fi lightspeed run.
I’ll go one further, too: the LC convertible is the best rendition of the big Lexus. The coupe’s pinched roofline just doesn’t do it for these eyes. Of course, I wouldn’t say no to either.
The last (nat-asp) V8 grand tourer
There are other V8 droptops. The Germans have an entire Abteilung of convertibles bristling with aggression and turbo-enhanced torque. But limit the search to atmospheric V8s and you’re left with a lot fewer choices. It’s basically the Mustang and the Jeep Wrangler 392—hardly the sort of elegance the LC provides.
Boy does it like to sing, too. The 5.0-liter is utterly refined around town, but let it rev out and you’re treated to a sound few other cars can match. Is it quick? With 471 horsepower, not as much as the AWD heavy hitters, but still more than enough to shove you back in those smooth leather seats. Speaking of…
Craftsmanship on a whole other level
The big news for 2024 is the aforementioned switch to Lexus’ current infotainment system, which thankfully banishes the touchpad to the trash bin. In truth, the new touchscreen does fuss up the previous dashboard design just a skoosh. Yet the cabin is still a treat to the senses, chock full of some of the finest leather work on the market. Almost everything is wrapped in the stuff, even the undersides of the door panels. On that note, the passenger door design is different from the drivers’; a thoughtful touch.
The flip-up cover for the roof controls is a welcome bit of theater. The fabric top itself is a marvel: near-silent in operation, it insulates the cabin almost as well as most hardtops.
On the other hand, a Mercedes-Benz SL 63 lists for nearly double the price and has a huge slab of unconvincing metallic-finish plastic taking up the center console.
In conclusion, if you’re reading this and are in the fortunate position to be considering an LC: do it. Its feel-good powers are strong, with beautiful looks, a wicked powertrain, and the sort of build quality that put Lexus on the map.
Oh yeah, and it might make it a better second-hand buy for us.
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Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
More by Kyle Patrick
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Not so sure about the white but the interior is certainly not made for everyone bland!
As a pure GT, this is in rarified air. This is a car that has been built for those that love to drive. It is not a track car though it would be fun to toss around a course. And, it’s a Lexus and all that entails. Aston Marti certainly bests the LC in performance and rivals the LC in looks, but the LC has the reliability factor that, year after year, place’s Lexus at the top of the reliability index. Lease most GTs, buy a Lexus.