2023 Lexus LC Convertible Review: Head-Turning Luxury At Its Best

Besides the LS Hybrid sedan, the Lexus LC Convertible is the most expensive vehicle the Japanese marque sells in America. At just over the $100,000 mark, it's in the mix with other high-end drop-tops like the sportier Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, Mercedes-AMG SL 43, and the BMW 8 Series Convertible. Of these three, the LC Convertible could be argued to be the most desirable, and isn't that what luxury convertibles are all about? Its seductive styling and richly attired interior draw envious glances from other road users, while the naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with 471 horsepower is music to the ears in this era of turbocharged and electrified powertrains. Lexus has even retuned the suspension for sportier responses, but the LC Convertible still can't match its Porsche and BMW rivals around a track. We suspect that this will be irrelevant to customers considering the glamorous 2023 LC Convertible, a car that isn't the most advanced or dynamic in its class, but one that nails what a luxury drop-top should be all about.

What's The Price Of The 2023 Lexus LC Convertible?

The starting price of the 2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is $101,500 MSRP, excluding the destination charge of $1,150 or any options. While hardly affordable, it's less expensive than the base Porsche 911 Cabriolet - and that doesn't have a V8 or nearly as many standard features as the Lexus. The Porsche does offer a much more diverse range of models, though.

2023 Lexus LC Convertible Handling And Driving Impressions

With its creamy smooth V8 that never sounds like it's struggling and an absorbent ride, the new Lexus LC Convertible makes for a brilliant boulevard cruiser. The fabric roof is a quality item that does well to shut out external noises, but the car remains refined at lower speeds with the top down. When you occasionally need to get past slower traffic quickly, the V8 is up to the task.

For hardcore enthusiasts, the LC Convertible is good rather than great. At 4,540 pounds, it's much heavier than its Porsche rival, and you can feel this in the LC's less agile body control. There is also some shudder that occasionally catches your eye in the rearview mirror, often a downside of convertibles. However, it's far from a clumsy boat, and the LC still steers and grips with enough assurance for a car of its kind.

Following changes to the suspension, it's a little sharper to drive now, but comfort and refinement are always the overriding sensations. Customers can equip a Torsen limited-slip differential and a Yamaha performance damper, and while these do create an even sportier drive, we think the LC Convertible is at its best as a high-speed luxury cruiser.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Lexus LC Convertible A Good Car?

Drop the roof, slide into that sumptuous leather-clad driver's seat, and listen to that uninhibited V8 growl - how can the Lexus LC Convertible be anything but good? Six-figure drop-tops have missed their brief if they don't move you in the way that they look, sound, and drive. The LC Convertible scores high marks in all those areas, and we appreciate the old-school nature of that V8, which sends all its power to the rear wheels. In some other ways, the LC is old-school in a negative sense, most notably its unintuitive infotainment system. And, if you're a numbers person, there are other drop-tops that are a lot quicker at the price. But as a lavishly appointed GT that thrives on smooth roads and when the weather is great, you can hardly do better than the stunning LC Convertible.

What 2023 Lexus LC Convertible Model Should I Buy?

You should buy any Lexus LC 500 Convertible you can get your hands on, as it's a sensational car straight out of the box and without any extras. Our only recommendation would be to skip the Dynamic Handling Package, as this particular car doesn't need it. We'd rather spend a little extra on the 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system which will cost $1,220 and $900 on the head-up display.