Lexus LC: 2018 Motor Trend Car of the Year Finalist

We Like: Bold exterior, gorgeous interior, and the car’s overall audacity

We Don’t Like: Bizarre hybrid powertrain strategy, pathetic infotainment system

If Car of the Year were awarded solely on the basis of design, the Lexus LC would drive off with this year’s Golden Calipers. “The design has a lightness and proportion that is nicely gestured and blends with some beautiful surfaces, ” Tom Gale said. Added Chris Theodore: “The Lexus LC 500 is a startling sight on the road, with great proportions and a sleek profile.” However, many questioned the goofy grille, Insane Clown Posse headlights, and bizarrely shaped A-pillar.

Design however, encompasses both the outside and the inside, and the LC 500’s gorgeous interior is about as good as cars get. Said Frank Markus: “I find the finished product striking and engaging—especially on the inside.” As a group, we were smitten by the blue and orange interior trim with white leather seats on the LC 500h. This interior excellence falls apart when it comes to the infotainment system, though. “Congratulations, Lexus, you built the world’s worst user interface,” Christian Seabaugh said.

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Although we all loved the potent naturally aspirated thrills from the brawny 5.0-liter V-8, we decided to take the futuristic hybrid version along as a finalist. Probably a mistake. “Peculiar powertrain strategy in this car,” Frank Markus noted. “I fail to see the payoff of this incredibly complex hybrid. It doesn’t feel anywhere near as fast as the V-8, yet the real-world fuel economy doesn’t seem that impressive either.” Did we mention that the hybrid costs almost $5,000 more than the V-8?

	2018 Lexus LC 500	2018 Lexus LC 500h
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT	Front-engine, RWD	Front-engine/mid-mount electric motors, RWD
ENGINE TYPE	90-deg V-8, alum block/heads	60-deg V-6, alum block/heads, plus 2 permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motors (primary generator, engine starter, controls engine speed; second drives rear wheels)
VALVETRAIN	On-demand Atkinson-/Otto-cycle DOHC, 4 valves/cyl	Atkinson-cycle DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT	303.2 cu in/4,969 cc	210.9 cu in/3,456 cc
COMPRESSION RATIO	12.3:1	13.0:1
POWER (SAE NET)	471 hp @ 7,100 rpm	295 hp @ 6,600 rpm (gas)/100 hp (elec)/ 354 hp (comb)
TORQUE (SAE NET)	398 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm	257 lb-ft @ 4,900 rpm (gas)/ 150 lb-ft (elec)/ 350 lb-ft (comb)
REDLINE	7,300 rpm	6,700 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER	9.3 lb/hp	15.2 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION	10-speed automatic	4 auto + cont variable = 10 (comb)-speed automatic
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO	2.94:1/1.76:1	3.36:1/2.18:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR	Multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar	Multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO	9.8-13.6:1	9.8-13.6:1
TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK	2.5	2.5
BRAKES, F; R	15.7-in vented 2-pc disc; 14.1-in vented disc, ABS	13.3-in vented 2-pc disc; 12.1-in vented disc, ABS
WHEELS, F;R	8.5 x 21-in; 9.5 x 21-in, forged aluminum	8.5 x 20-in; 9.5 x 20-in, forged aluminum
TIRES, F;R	245/40RF21 96Y; 275/35RF21 99Y Michelin Pilot Super Sport	245/45RF20 99Y; 275/40RF20 102Y Bridgestone Turanza T005
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE	113.0 in	113.0 in
TRACK, F/R	64.2/64.4 in	64.2/64.4 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	187.4 x 75.6 x 53.0 in	187.4 x 75.6 x 53.0 in
TURNING CIRCLE	34.8 ft	35.4 ft
CURB WEIGHT	4,376 lb	4,489 lb
WEIGHT DIST, F/R	53/47%	52/48%
SEATING CAPACITY	4	4
HEADROOM, F/R	36.8/32.2 in	37.2/32.5 in
LEGROOM, F/R	42.0/32.5 in	42.0/32.0 in
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R	56.5/48.9 in	56.5/48.9 in
CARGO VOLUME	5.4 cu ft	4.7 cu ft
TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH
0-30	1.9 sec	1.8 sec
0-40	2.7	2.7
0-50	3.7	3.7
0-60	4.7	5.0
0-70	5.9	6.8
0-80	7.3	8.8
0-90	8.8	11.2
0-100	10.5	14.1
PASSING, 45-65 MPH	2.2	2.8
QUARTER MILE	13.0 sec @ 111.7 mph	13.8 sec @ 99.3 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	112 ft	113 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.91 g (avg)	0.88 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	25.2 sec @ 0.77 g (avg)	26.1 sec @ 0.69 g (avg)
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH	1,300 rpm	1,000 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
BASE PRICE	$92,995	$97,505
PRICE AS TESTED	$105,710	$101,195
STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes
AIRBAGS	8: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, front knee	8: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, front knee
BASIC WARRANTY	4 yrs/50,000 miles	4 yrs/50,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY	6 yrs/70,000 miles	6 yrs/70,000 miles (8 yrs/100,000 miles hybrid comp/batteries)
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE	4 yrs/Unlimited miles	4 yrs/Unlimited miles
FUEL CAPACITY	21.7 gal	22.2 gal (+ 1kW/h)
REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB	18.9/30.0/22.7 mpg	31.3/36.9/33.6 mpg
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON	16/26/19 mpg	26/35/30 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	211/130 kW-hrs/100 miles	130/96 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	1.00 lb/mile	0.66 lb/mile
RECOMMENDED FUEL	Unleaded premium	Unleaded premium + Lithium-ion (84 cells: 310.8-V nominal; 650-V system voltage)

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