The Lexus LC is a luxury GT that has often been called a concept car for the road, which is largely because the production version is nearly identical to the original concept introduced in 2012. It was the result of a company-wide mandate by then-CEO Akio Toyoda to eradicate the word “boring” from the Lexus lineup. And since its launch in 2018, it has served as the halo car for the Lexus lineup, setting the benchmark for interior craftsmanship and elegance as well as raw performance and handling.
Primary competitors for the LC include the BMW 8 Series and the Mercedes-Benz SL. While they're more powerful, what sets the LC apart is that it stuck with a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine as its primary powertrain, rather than moving to smaller-displacement turbocharged engines. The LC is available in both coupe and convertible body styles, and in addition to the V8, there is also a slightly more fuel-efficient hybrid model.
A used Lexus LC has a lot of points in its favor, with a good overall reliability rating and stunning looks. Another huge bonus for used buyers is that there have been no big design changes during its lifecycle, so a 2018 model looks nearly identical to a new one. For those who don't need the latest and greatest tech and can put up with some early bugs, the first two years of the LC represent truly good deals. Buyers could walk away with a car that looks like it cost a mint for half the original price.
With Lexus announcing 2026 as the final model year and relatively low overall production, now could be a really good time to buy a used LC, because it's poised to become a collectible.
Lexus LC Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lexus LC years are the best?
The Lexus LC is one of those rare birds that has very few recalls for any given year and almost no official consumer complaints. It is largely considered one of the most reliable high-end grand touring cars available. According to the NHTSA website, the 2022 and 2023 model years have zero recalls and zero complaints, so we’d start there as the best years to buy.
Which Lexus LC years are the worst?
With a car like the Lexus LC, it’s hard to say there’s a bad year. However, as with most cars, the initial two model years are best avoided to dodge teething troubles. For the LC, 2018, 2019, and 2020 models had widespread recalls for a faulty fuel pump. The 2019 model also had a brake booster pump failure that could result in the loss of braking assist.
Is a used Lexus LC a good deal?
A used Lexus LC can be a very good deal for buyers willing to go for an early model, because they will likely pay $40,000 to $50,000 less than the original MSRP, which can be up to 50% off the original price. Shoppers just need to ensure the recalls have been addressed. Decent deals are available up to the 2022 model year, with used pricing still being about $30,000 less than the original MSRP. After that, used LCs get more expensive.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Coupe or convertible body styles
- Powerful engine
Cons:
- Cramped back seat
- Tiny trunk
- Outdated infotainment tech
Lexus LC Generations
Lexus LC First Generation (2018-Present)
When the Lexus LF-LC Concept was introduced in 2012, it was positioned as a design concept that most people assumed would never see the light of day. There was surprise and delight when the production car was revealed four years later, looking remarkably similar to the original concept. It pioneered the GA-L luxury platform for Lexus, which also underpins the LS, and was built by “Takumi” master craftsmen, many of whom also worked on the LFA supercar.
The Lexus LC is a rear-wheel-drive luxury grand tourer with a 2+2 layout, which means it technically has a back seat with two seatbelts, but only children or small adults will fit back there. Throughout the first generation, the LC has had two powertrain options: a 5.0-liter V8 with 471 horsepower or a 3.5-liter hybrid V6 with 354 hp. Thus, there are two models available, known as the LC 500 and the LC 500h. While the standard transmission on the V8 models is a 10-speed automatic, the hybrid has a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The V8 and hybrid powertrains were available for most years that the LC has been produced, but the hybrid was dropped after the 2025 model year.
The LC has always been very well equipped, and standard features include LED headlights, 20-inch wheels, a fixed-glass panel roof, and a 12-speaker Pioneer audio system. At launch, it also had a digital cluster inspired by the LFA and a 10.3-inch infotainment screen controlled by the quirky “Remote Touch” trackpad. Available features include a carbon-fiber roof, heated and ventilated front seats, 21-inch wheels, active rear-wheel steering, a speed-activated spoiler, and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson Audio system. The LC did not originally have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but it received wired versions of the former in 2019 and the latter in 2021.
In some model years, the Lexus LC is available as a limited-run Inspiration Series model, which has an exclusive color palette and upgrades that aren’t available on other trims. Buyers should keep an eye out for these models as they will likely be more expensive and potentially more collectible. For 2026, the final model year, the LC 500 Inspiration Series has new Smoke Matte Gray exterior paintwork, a black-and-white interior, blacked-out exterior accents, and carbon fiber aesthetic enhancements. The LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series comes with a new Wind exterior paint color, Saddle Tan and White semi-aniline leather seats, blacked-out exterior elements, and unique center console badging.
While the Lexus LC didn't receive a major mid-cycle refresh in its first generation, there were a few significant upgrades and additions. The convertible arrived in 2021, and the same year also saw a retuned suspension, some weight reduction measures, and the addition of active cornering assist. In 2022, Lexus added a Bespoke Build program, which allowed buyers to better customize their vehicle. Perhaps the biggest change came in 2024, with a tech overhaul that tidied up the interior, ditched the trackpad, and introduced a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
At launch, the LC came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+), which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and high-beam assist. Blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert were optional in the first two years but became standard in 2020. In 2023, the LC added lane-trace assist and enhanced parking support. In 2024, along with the tech upgrade, the LC got LSS+ 2.5, which added intersection support, emergency-steer assist, a standard surround-view camera, and traffic-sign assist.
The Lexus LC is generally reliable, but there are a few known issues. Most notably, there are the aforementioned fuel pump (2018–2020) and brake booster (2019) recalls. Beyond that, owners of earlier models (primarily 2018–2020) have complained that the pop-out door handles get stuck in the open or closed position. Another issue reported by owners of all model years is that the 12-volt battery tends to drain quickly if the car sits for more than a week. Finally, there have been reports of leaking convertible tops, which primarily affected 2021 to 2022 model years. This was more of an issue with window seal gaps than a problem with the fabric roof, so buyers looking at a convertible should be sure that the weatherstripping is intact and that the windows index properly when the doors are closed.
Used car listings for a Lexus LC are few and far between due to the limited production numbers, but on the low end, early models with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer are priced at about $45,000. At the high end, 2025 LC 500 Convertible models are priced at about $150,000. Buyers looking for an LC with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (2021 and later) will pay at least $90,000.
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