2023 Lexus LC500 Arrives With New Suspension And Higher Price Tag

Oct. 07, 2022 6:52 AM ET by Chase Bierenkoven Sports Cars / 20 Comments

Lexus lightly updates its LC500 coupe and convertible grand tourers.

The Lexus LC500 is a favorite of ours here in the office. The coupe/convertible grand tourer snuck up on everyone when it debuted, and it's been an industry favorite since. Where else can you get a V8 that sounds like the LC's? We struggle to think of more than a small handful of cars. And that interior. Lexus really did knock it out of the park.

So, for 2023, there really wasn't much that needed doing for the LC500. We were hoping Lexus would ditch its long-lamented touchpad infotainment system, but no such luck. However, Lexus has instituted some great new suspension changes that should make the LC500 feel like an LC600.

Both the coupe and the convertible LC500 will benefit from the brand's new Lexus Driving Signature philosophy. For now, know that means better response, ride, and feel for the LC500. But more on that in a moment. First, a refresher on this strange set of buzzwords.

Lexus Driving Signature was launched in 2021 with the new IS500, which means that each car is "driven by the vision and efforts of the Chief Engineer (CE)." Lexus said back then that the new goal was to deliver a new generation of Lexus cars with a "shared brand identity" and "refined ride quality and quietness." All cars built under this philosophy undergo testing at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama.

So, what does that mean for the LC500? Lexus says that front and rear suspension settings have been further optimized. These new settings will enhance "ground contact feel," linear steering response, and steering effectiveness. Basically, these changes are meant to make the LC500 feel more nimble than its 4,340-pound curb weight would make you think.

As ever, there's also the available LC500 sport package to further enhance the handling. If you ask us, it's a must. It includes a Torsen LSD with Yamaha performance dampers, uprated brake pads, and Alcantara-trimmed seats. New for 2023, the sport pack adds 21-inch wheels with gloss black accents. You can see those on the car pictured below.

Lexus already offers a killer range of colors for the LC500, and that range has grown by one for 2023. New this year is CloudBurst Gray, which will be available for an extra $500. As with other Toyota/Lexus vehicles, a huge extension to the brand's Connected Services trial has been made.

You can read more about that here, but it essentially extends your free trial of connected safety features like automatic crash detection out to ten years. The ten-year trial is so substantial you're basically getting the features for free. The 2023 LC500 Coupe starts at $94,600 (up from $93,150), with the hybrid and convertible priced at $100,600 (up from $99,150) and $102,650 (up from $101,200) MSRP respectively.

2023 Lexus LC500 Arrives With New Suspension And Higher Price Tag

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2023 Lexus LC500 Arrives With New Suspension And Higher Price Tag

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