2022 Lexus LC Hybrid

Since it was first revealed in 2016, the LC Coupe and LC Hybrid haven't changed a lot but still go toe-to-toe with the BMW 8 Series and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. That's because, out of the gate, Lexus designed something that manages to look both ahead of the curve and timeless at the same time. All it needs to go the distance is some evolutionary fine-tuning, and that's what we get for the LC Hybrid in 2022. The 3.5-liter V6 and two electric motors still combine to make 354 horsepower, the cabin is still luxurious and loaded with technology, but Lexus has refined the suspension to improve the handling. The LC 500 makes more power and has an incredible soundtrack to its V8 engine, but the LC Hybrid brings with it a slightly different personality as well as advantages, particularly when it comes to fuel consumption. Both, however, come with head-turning style without being ostentatious. It's just a case of which suits the driver and their lifestyle better. We drove the 500h in an attempt to find out if the hybrid's advantages make up for the absence of a V8.

When you're sacrificing rear-seat room and trunk space for a coupe, you deserve to get good looks in return. The LC Hybrid delivers on this count and then some. Lexus hasn't made any changes to its appearance for the new model year and we can't blame them. This is a truly gorgeous coupe from just about any angle. The spindle grille is large and intricately detailed, and it's flanked by sleek triple-beam LED headlights. At the back, it's a little fussy with a heavily sculpted body, but the large exhaust outlets announce its intentions in impressive fashion. The LC's tires are wrapped around 21-inch staggered-width alloy wheels, and the standard glass roof can be replaced by a carbon-fiber roof if you wish. Flush exterior door handles and LED taillamps are standard too.

The Bespoke Build option offers some exterior changes, with available 20-inch wheels, an active rear wing, carbon fiber wing spoiler, or wing delete. It will also add dark chrome exterior accents.

At around ten inches longer than the Porsche 911, as well as lower and wider, the LC 500h's dimensions are part of what gives it a unique presence on the road. The Lexus has a length of 187.4 inches, a width of 75.6 inches, a height of 53 inches, and a 113-inch wheelbase. Unfortunately, the additional hybrid components have not helped the coupe's cause when it comes to curb weight. This is a heavy vehicle at 4,420 pounds, nearly 100 lbs more than the V8-powered LC 500.

A nine-strong color palette is available for the LC 500h and it looks good in any of them. No-cost color choices are Atomic Silver, Smoky Granite Mica, Caviar, Nightfall Mica, and Nori Green Pearl. For $500 more, the crisp Ultra White looks surprisingly good, while the fiery Infrared is a much bolder choice at $595. Flare Yellow and Cadmium Orange are the types of colors you'd expect to find on a Dodge Challenger, but they somehow work on the Lexus too. Both of these also cost $595. We think that Nightfall Mica and Infrared do the best job of accentuating the LC's design features.

A big part of the LC 500's appeal is the sonorous soundtrack from its naturally-aspirated V8 engine. There's no way that a V6 hybrid can hope to match that, but the LC 500h is powerful enough for most and far more efficient than its gas-only sibling. The combination of its 3.5-liter V6 and two electric motors realize a combined output of 354 horsepower. On its own, the V6 makes 295 hp at 6,600 rpm and 257 lb-ft of torque at 4,900 rpm - the total system output comes to 354 hp. Directing power to the rear axle exclusively, the LC 500h can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, just 0.3 seconds off the pace of the LC 500. It will go on to reach a top speed of 155 mph. For a sports car retailing at just below six figures, the 500h isn't especially fast, but the rear-wheel-drive Lexus LC lineup has never been a benchmark for sheer speed. Viewed as a luxurious coupe that will allow you to go on cross-country trips effortlessly, the Lexus is quick enough.

The Lexus LC 500h uses a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine paired with two electric motors. A combined output of 354 hp is available, and it's transferred to the rear wheels via two gearsets. Yes, the LC 500h has both a continuously variable transmission and a four-speed automatic, mimicking the effect of a ten-speed automatic. It sounds complex and, at times, the gearshifts don't feel as well executed as they'd be with a traditional ten-speed auto. The battery size is a small 1.1 kWh, and it's a lithium-ion type. Driven at a more sedate pace, the Lexus is impressively smooth, though. It fails to match the LC 500 in terms of driver appeal, but if you haven't driven the V8, the LC Hybrid will have little trouble with getting up to speed on the highway. You also get to drive for short distances at speeds of up to 87 mph without the need for the V6 to spring into action at all.

From a driving perspective, the hybrid drivetrain brings a wonderful smoothness to the experience, and driving the LC in any guise is an experience. Off the line, the LC Hybrid isn't discernibly slower than the V8 version, and it gives a nice firm shove in the back that seems to be never-ending. In the corners, you can feel the battery's extra weight, but the agility is still up to par. We took the LC Hybrid on a couple of all-day road trips that took us up and down mountains and through long canyon roads as well as tight rural backroads. In short, it was a blast to drive, whether at pace or just to enjoy the road and the scenery. There's a consistency to the grip and handling and level of ride quality that makes driving the LC Hybrid at a swift pace an absolute joy. Initial turn-in is quick, the mid-corner grip is excellent, and it hooks while feeding in power on the exit beautifully.

The LC Hybrid is a consummate cruiser on the freeway and around town; it's as comfortable as it is easy to drive. We've tried to find fault, but to do so, you need to look at the LC as an attack car rather than a grand tourer. It's definitely grand tourer.

It's here that the LC 500h distances itself from the LC 500 - quite literally. The LC Hybrid has an mpg rating that far surpasses its V8 sibling, returning 26/34/29 mpg city/highway/combined. By comparison, the LC 500 returns only 16/25/19 mpg. During our week with the hybrid model, we got an indicated return of 28 combined with highway use replaced by long highway miles.

A large 22.2-gallon gas tank allows for a superb range of around 644 miles before you need to fill up again.

The specification sheet may show that the Lexus LC 500h can't match many other sports cars at the price performance-wise, but it won't show how much effort has gone into the design of this car's interior. Quality levels are exceptionally high, and even the sculpted door panels look and feel special. Despite a seating capacity of four, you'll want to be seated in front, of course, and here you'll find eight-way power-adjustable seats with both heating and ventilation.

Unfortunately, the older infotainment system with its fussy touchpad remains the cabin's Achilles heel, but at least the 10.3-inch color screen is attractive and clear. What stands out most is that from behind the wheel, the LC Hybrid feels expensive and is a refreshing change from austere German interiors.

The Lexus LC 500h a 2+2, meaning it's a two-door four-seater with long doors so the front passengers can get in and out with ease. It also means the rear seats are pretty much theoretical (32.5 inches of legroom if the front passenger scoots forward) and what you really have is space to stash laptop bags and briefcases for the commute to work. For those up at the front, there's plenty of leg and shoulder room. At no point on a long trip should either driver or passenger start to feel compressed. With plenty of adjustability in the seats, including lumbar, comfort is assured. The perfect driving position is easy to find, and visibility is commanding.

The tiered dashboard, cascading door panels, and analog clock are just some of the styling details that capture your attention at first glance; these and other elements feel expensive, and materials are soft-touch. As standard, the LC 500h comes with leather in either Black or Toasted Caramel, paired with Satin Metallic trim. Circuit Red leather is an added-cost option but requires a package upgrade to access. With the Touring Package, the seats are upgraded to semi-aniline leather and the headliner is finished in Alcantara. The Sport Package, meanwhile, introduces special seats with Alcantara inserts. Aluminum pedals and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are equipped straight from the factory.

The new Bespoke Build option opens up even more customization. Here, you can choose from an interior in Manhattanhenge, or from the previously mentioned color options with Alcantara.

The LC 500h is not a particularly practical grand tourer. At 4.7 cubic feet, the trunk is wide but extremely shallow, so taller items simply won't fit. Of course, the small rear seats at least serve as extra storage space when not in use.

Inside, smaller items can be stashed in the door pockets or a center console storage space, and there's a covered cupholder alongside the shift lever. The glovebox is tiny, though.

The Lexus LC 500h is hardly a budget sports car, so it's pleasing to see that it comes with an array of standard features. In front, both seats are eight-way power-adjustable and boast heating and ventilation. There is also a dual-zone automatic climate control system, but you'll need to pay extra to have the steering wheel heated. The coupe also comes with an illuminated entry system, push-button start, and performance-inspired instrumentation. Besides the mandatory rearview camera, there is a good mix of standard driver-assist technologies. These include blind-spot monitoring, all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, and pedestrian detection. A head-up display can be added optionally, as can intuitive parking assistance.

Infotainment is the area we'd like Lexus to focus on and add its new system here, as the current one is, frankly, awful. It's the only chink in the LC's armor. Fortunately, you won't be wanting for features as you get dynamic voice command, navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot as standard. The letdown is in the 10.3-inch display and touchpad input, which is awkward to use.

The standard 12-speaker sound system is great, but if you appreciate music, then a 13-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system is also on offer.

While the 2022 model hasn't been rated yet, the 2021 Lexus LC 500 range attained an excellent rating of 86 out of 100 from J.D. Power for quality and reliability. The last time the LC 500h was recalled was for the 2020 model regarding a potential fuel pump failure. For the most part, however, the coupe has helped Lexus retain its well-earned reputation for quality and reliability.

Along with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty, the Lexus enjoys a six-year-70,000-mile powertrain warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the hybrid components. Complimentary scheduled maintenance is a welcome inclusion but only the first year and initial 10,000 miles are covered.

There is no Lexus LC Hybrid safety review from either the NHTSA or the IIHS, nor have the gas models been evaluated by either authority. As it stands, the car doesn't have an official safety rating, although the list of safety features should go some way to allaying any fears buyers may have.

Despite its fairly small cabin, Lexus has managed to cram eight airbags into the LC 500h to protect occupants. It also comes with electronic stability control.

Driver-assistance features encompass a backup camera with dynamic gridlines and the Lexus Safety System+ with pre-collision warning (including pedestrian detection), lane departure alert with lane-keep assist, all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, intelligent high beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. A head-up display and intuitive parking assist with automatic braking are among the available options.

We've seen the LC Hybrid dismissed by reviewers as a driver's car because it doesn't have the same potency and soundtrack as the V8-powered version. That's a myopic view from people who can't adjust their expectations, which they should because it's a completely different drivetrain. You can drive the LC Hybrid hard and get the adrenaline going, but it's missing the point of a grand tourer. If you want maximum attack mode, buy a Porsche 911 or something in that vein. If you want to while away the miles with a passenger in comfort, the LC is the king of its segment. It's a true grand tourer in every sense, from its gorgeous looks to its cosseting interior and its smooth and powerful drivetrain. When it comes to deciding between the drivetrains, you just have to decide if you want that more aggressive V8 soundtrack or to go a lot further on a tank of fuel.

The price of the Lexus LC hybrid starts at an MSRP of $99,050, but it becomes a six-figure vehicle once you include the destination charge of $1,075. Using the new Bespoke Build configurator, we were able to specify an LC 500h with a final price of over $115,000.

The 2022 Lexus LC Hybrid is only available in a single trim. Its hybrid powertrain derives most of its power from a 3.5L V6, but the electric motor adds another boost for a combined system output of 354 hp. Power goes to the rear wheels, and the Lexus uses a combination of a continuously variable transmission and four-speed automatic that provides a similar driving experience to that of a ten-speed automatic.

Outside, the LC 500h coupe comes with triple-beam LED headlights, flush exterior door handles, 21-inch alloy wheels, and a glass roof. The luxurious cabin is finished in beautiful leather, and both front seats are heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable. Music can be enjoyed via the 12-speaker sound system, and infotainment settings are displayed on a 10.3-inch LCD screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HD Radio are standard.

The safety specification includes eight airbags, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and pedestrian detection.

As there is only one trim on offer, Lexus has created quite a comprehensive options list. For $1,900, the Sport Package adds sport seats with Alcantara inserts and intuitive parking assistance. For $2,540, the Touring Package jazzes up the interior with semi-aniline leather front seats, an Alcantara headliner, a heated steering wheel, a windshield wiper de-icer, intuitive parking assist, and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. The priciest upgrade comes via the $6,850 Dynamic Handling Package. This makes the LC 500h more capable through the twisties thanks to active rear steering, variable gear-ratio steering, a speed-activated rear wing, and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential. It also includes Alcantara trim in the cabin and a carbon fiber roof. If you want more carbon fiber, you can get a rear lip spoiler ($1,200) or a lower grille insert ($1,200) added separately and fashioned from the lightweight material. A head-up display costs $900.

Available via the Bespoke Build configurator is the 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system on its own for $1,220.

If you're spending just under $100,000 on a car with just a single trim level, you might as well tip over the top and add the Touring Package. The added comfort features are worthwhile, and we would add the Mark Levinson sound system anyway. We would also add the Dynamic Handling Package, but we don't see it as essential unless you do like to push hard once in a while and are happy to lose the glass roof. Also, take a long hard look at Nori Green as a color as it is our favorite and a real head-turner.

The RC is a far more affordable coupe that starts at less than half of the price of the LC. For that reason, we'll focus on the high-spec RC 350 F Sport which begins at around $50,000. It makes 311 hp from a 3.5-liter V6 engine, and is just over a second slower to 60 than the LC Hybrid. The RC does offer the choice of AWD, and it's also more practical thanks to a larger trunk. Being a lighter car by far, the RC is a bit more willing to be tossed around on a twisty mountain pass. However, the LC looks more exotic, has plusher cabin materials, and comes equipped with a longer list of features. It plays in a different segment altogether, but both cars feel suitably luxurious and worthy of that Lexus badge. We'll take the LC if we could afford it, but the RC's much lower price can't be overlooked.

For almost exactly the same price as the Lexus LC 500h, you can drive off in a base Porsche 911 Carrera. It doesn't have much more power at 379 hp, but because the 911 is so much lighter, it takes only four seconds to reach 60 mph. Dynamically, the 911 is easily better with its terrific balance and accurate steering. Its eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is also far superior to the LC's complex CVT/four-speed auto combination. However, it's the LC that feels and looks more special when you aren't driving it hard. The Lexus has a beautiful cabin and a lot more standard features, and you have to add a lot of options to make the Porsche's cabin stand out. Because the Porsche ticks so many boxes as a sports coupe, however, it's hard not to choose it. But we'd probably lie awake thinking about whether it wasn't a better idea to park the ravishing LC in the garage.