2020 Lexus LC Hybrid Review: Elegant Eco Cruiser
Lexus tends to build board-room approved luxury sedans for a decade or so, and then drop a bomb with creations such as the hyper-cool V10 LFA, and, more recently, the jaw-droppingly beautiful LC coupe. The LC Hybrid takes everything we love about the standard gas-powered car - its good looks, balanced chassis, excellent build quality, and impressive standard features list - and adds better fuel economy to its character traits, making it a sultry GT car that's kind to the polar bears.
To say that we're in love with the exterior styling of the LC is an understatement: swooping triple-beam LED headlights and 20-inch forged alloy wheels, and a body shape that looks like the car equivalent of a supermodel, has us sold, no matter the high $93,975 asking price. Out on the road, the LC Hybrid is an elegant cruiser which prefers not to be hurried along - the LC Hybrid is best enjoyed in the slow lane, or at a complete standstill, but this suits us just fine. Just look at it!
What's the Price of the 2020 Lexus LC Hybrid?
Perhaps the LC Hybrid's biggest con is its high asking price of $97,460, which excludes delivery, processing, and handling fees of $1,025. The gas-powered version of Lexus' grand touring coupe will cost you $93,975, over $4,500 less. For many, the problem with this asking price is the fact that you're nearing Porsche 911 territory, and for that type of money, there are a number of other more powerful options available. Fully loaded with the upgraded sound system, performance package, head-up display, and other goodies, the LC Hybrid will cost closer to $112,595.
2020 LC Hybrid Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 187.4 in | 113.0 in | 53.0 in | 75.6 in | 64.2 in | 64.4 in | 4,435.0 lbs |
2020 LC Hybrid Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The LC Hybrid carries itself with the poise of a true grand tourer and performs at its best when the driver is mindful of this classification. Under the gorgeous bodywork, Lexus has provided all the necessary hardware to make the LC offer a smooth and drama-free driving experience that can be dialed up if the need arises. The adaptive variable suspension system on the LC Hybrid truly comes into play once the driver selects Sport S Plus mode on the Lexus Drive Mode Select system: with 650 levels of adjustment, the LC Hybrid adapts to most driving surfaces in mere moments and comfort mode does an exceptional job of reducing the intrusion of vibration and shock through the suspension. The available active rear steering system makes the LC Hybrid feel more responsive when tackling tighter corners, but it can't shake the weight gain caused by the addition of those hybrid batteries.
2020 LC Hybrid Interior
2020 LC Hybrid Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Hybrid/Electric Components | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 6 Years / 70,000 Miles | 6 Years / Unlimited Miles | 8 Years / 100,000 Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 0.5 Years / 5,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is The 2020 Lexus LC Hybrid A Good car?
The 2020 Lexus LC Hybrid is in the strange, but fortunate, position of having a guaranteed place in the garages of serious car collectors worldwide, with many claiming the svelte Japanese grand tourer to be one of the most beautiful cars to come out of Japan in recent years. The LC is gaining popularity purely because of its strikingly good looks, but it deserves praise for its balanced chassis and beautifully composed road-holding ability. Under the hood, the 3.5-liter V6 gas engine and electric drive system produce enough power to get the LC Hybrid up to sixty in well under five seconds and will return an amazing 27/35/30 mpg - impressive for a sporty car that weighs as much as your ordinary SUV. The interior of the LC Hybrid feels refined, and occupants are wrapped in a bubble of luxury as soon as they step inside, with modern luxuries such as 4G LTE Wi-Fi and Apple CarPlay being standard features. The small trunk and annoying infotainment system might be downsides, but if you're after an eco-conscious GT car with supermodel looks, the LC 500h is as good as it gets.
What Lexus LC Hybrid Model Should I Buy?
The 2020 Lexus LC 500h is a standalone model, so what you see is what you get. There are, however, a few tasty optional packages that transform the dynamics of the standard car from grand tourer to fast fastback in a matter of credit card swipes. The standard LC Hybrid comes from the factory with a set of forged 20-inch alloy wheels, but for the sake of showmanship and drama, we'd go with the optional $1,440, 21-inch staggered-width five-spoke forged alloy wheels which are finished off with gloss-black accents. Inside, new owners are treated to dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats as well as LFA-inspired instrumentation including a G-meter. We would include the $1,790 Touring Package, which adds perforated semi-aniline leather-trimmed front seats, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, and sumptuous Alcantara headliner.
2020 Lexus LC Hybrid Comparisons
2020 Lexus LC Hybrid vs Lexus RC
The Lexus RC is a compact two-door coupe that is aimed at Captain Corporate who's looking for something sporty that will still drive with the predictability of his old Lexus LS. The RC is powered by either a 2.0T four-pot developing 241 hp, or a 3.5-liter V6 developing 311 hp. Lexus claims an EPA rated 21/30/24 mpg for the 2.0T in RWD guise, and 19/26/21 mpg for the top of the line 3.5-liter AWD. The RC offers a massive 45.4 inches of legroom in the front, but can only provide 27.3 inches of room in the rear, rendering the back seats essentially useless.
The RC looks and feels like a toned-down version of the LC, and that translates to its interior, refinement, and price tag. Starting at $50,905, you'll almost be able to bag two RC's for the price of one LC. It all boils down to whether or not you want to own a modern classic or a modern also-ran. The LC is simply worlds better than the RC.
2020 Lexus LC Hybrid vs Porsche 911 Carrera
The Porsche 911 is the quintessential sports car according to many, and the 2020 911 Carrera is as potent as it is pretty. Stacking the Lexus LC Hybrid up against this German bomber might seem a bit unfair, but the internet seems to be interested in seeing how these two stack up, so…
The Porsche is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine producing a staunch 443 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, so it overpowers the LC by a significant margin, which it pays for in fuel economy ratings of 18/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined - a whopping ten mpg less than you get in the Hybrid LC. Both cars cater to the front seat passengers, but those in the rear should forget about having a good time in the Porsche. The trunk space is also minimal. Where the Lexus trumps the Porsche is in terms of standard safety and tech features; Porsche keeps most of the good stuff on the options list. On the road, the Porsche is the better driver's car and will go toe to toe with the LC in terms of long-distance driving comfort. Both are poised to be future classics, but the LC is the more intriguing choice.