2018 Lexus LC Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$92,000 to $92,000

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.8

avg user rating

(23 reviews)
2018 Lexus LC Preview summaryImage

As Lexus moves towards building cars with more driving enjoyment, it has tweaked a few existing models and introduced some entirely new ones like the LC 500, which is set to become the company’s flagship model. The 2018 LC 500 is a 2-door V8-powered luxury sports coupe similar to the retired SC 430, but with more credibility in the performance department. A somewhat low-volume, exclusive model, its dimensions are comparable to those of the Mercedes-Benz S550 Coupe and BMW 650i. Lexus expects to sell about 400 per month, 15 to 20 percent of which will be of the LC 500’s hybrid sibling (sold as a separate model, the LC 500h). The LC 500’s MSRP comes in at $92,000, though adding enough options could raise the total to six figures.

Most of the 2018 LC 500 is completely unique, with inspiration drawn largely from the LF-LC concept car that debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. One familiar element, however, is the powertrain. The LC 500’s 5.0-liter V8 engine, also used in the RC F and GS F, sends 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Unlike so many other performance luxury cars out there, the LC 500’s V8 is normally aspirated, with a 0-to-60 time of 4.4 seconds. The exhaust opens wider for a louder, throatier note above 3,500 rpm, but yes, the LC 500 is one of those cars that pipes exhaust sounds into the cabin.

The transmission is one of the most surprising elements of the LC 500. Not that long ago, an 8-speed transmission was quite an exotic concept, until some higher-end vehicles got 9 speeds. The LC 500, however, trumps even those with its 10-speed automatic gearbox, which will likely be beneficial for fuel-efficiency purposes. The first 7 gears are closely and evenly spaced, while 8, 9, and 10 are overdrive gears.

Lexus claims that the new LC 500’s Global Architecture – Luxury (GA-L) platform, which will also be featured on the upcoming LS sedan, is the stiffest unibody the company has ever built—including the old LFA hypercar. Up front is a multi-link suspension with lightweight aluminum components, dual ball joints, and 2 upper and 2 lower control arms that keep the hood of the car low. The rear suspension is a more conventional multi-link unit with coil springs and electronic adaptive shock absorbers, and brakes are 13-inch discs with 6-piston calipers up front and 12-inch 4-piston calipers at the rear. As for weight savings and distribution, the LC 500’s body is made of a combination of steel, aluminum, and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, with a composite trunk floor, no spare tire, and an available carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic roof.

On the interior, the LC 500 lives up to its luxury performance car status, with surfaces swathed in leather, suede door panels, up-to-date convenience and technology features, and an attractive analog clock. The back seats are small but not claustrophobia-inducing, which is the norm for this type of coupe. The LC 500 comes standard with a reversing camera and a Pioneer audio system, which can be upgraded to a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.

The LC 500 comes equipped with the Lexus Safety System+, which includes all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, and a pre-collision system that will automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision. It hasn’t yet been crash tested by the usual authorities, but it’s reasonable to expect this brand-new design, with the most rigid chassis in Lexus’ history, to perform well. A sportier “F” model will likely be released down the road to go up against BMW’s M cars and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG models. Lexus has been working to improve its performance-focused offerings to better compete in the luxury sports car segment, and the 2018 LC 500 is another step in the right direction.

Published May 31, 2022 by Andrew Newton

User reviews for 2018 Lexus LC

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User rating:
by Raoul J
Apr 28, 2024
It is a good value. It has great features and very comfortable. My husband said it’s fun to drive. Not missing anything. Can’t compare it. Apr 28, 2024
by Mike A
Feb 05, 2024
A great mix between a Bentley GTC and a Mercedes AMG GTCFeb 05, 2024
by Ryan B
Nov 02, 2023
Lexus reliability with true performance. I spent over three years narrowing down my choice. In the end I would have likely came to the same decision except I was really torn between the 911 and the LC. To be fair I was looking for a GSF first, but it was too hard to find. I was comparing a 911, panamera, C8, and possibly a LS. BUT I am not interested in a turbo. The LC wasn’t as hard to find but to find a true clean LC was hard to find. The tech was amazing and I’m still learning the car. I didn’t find the track pad and infotainment as hard to learn as was reported in several articles./videos. The seat are very comfortable but the back seats ar just for decoration. I haven’t tried the manual w/paddle shifters yet. If I was to be picky , the previous owner did not treat the leather well or the stitching. I found one are where the stitches came loose. But that’s an easy fix. I used a clay bar right away and applied ceramic wax (Avalon King). Overall the car is simply amazing and looks fast just sitting there. Fortunately for me it has brand new sneakers on it. If you are looking at any of the cars mentioned above, at least go look and drive one before u make a decision. Nov 02, 2023

2018 Lexus LC Pricing

Original MSRP
$92,000 to $92,000
Price range
$62,115 to $65,703
Average price on CG
$65,703
YoY price change
$63,158 to $65,703

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: element · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · In-Dash CD: DVD · Pandora internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 11

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 15.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.1 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Interior accents: faux suede · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Center console: with lighting · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: covered · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: vehicle and key memory · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 2.94

Engine

Battery: maintenance-free · Exhaust: performance

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black

Headrests

Adjustable rear headrests: integrated headrests · Front headrests: power adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: Yelp · Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 10.3 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 8 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: wiper activated · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming

Passenger Seat

Power adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Rear seat upholstery: leatherette · Type: bucket

Roof

Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Sunroof: fixed glass

Safety

Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: leather

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Steering

Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6

Suspension

Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic

Telematics

Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status

Tires

Type: summer performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse

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