Lexus LC 500 Convertible 2024 review
While it won't be to everyone's taste, the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible does everything it can to win your affection, boasting stunning looks (depending on your point of view), a luxurious interior, a naturally aspirated V8 engine, and traditional rear-wheel drive handling. Recent infotainment updates have improved its usability, although the entire kit isn't flawless. Are they deal-breakers? Read on and find out.
How much does a Lexus LC 500 Convertible cost?
You'll need to spend $218,242 plus on-road fees to drive the 2024 Lexus LC 500 convertible, but unlike some competitors in the field, this price is fairly representative and not just a starting point for a significant increase by adding optional extras.
That's almost $14,000 more expensive than an equivalent hardtop (more on that in the next section) and puts it in the same segment as a variety of competitors, depending on your specific needs.
Models such as the Jaguar F-TYPE P450 Convertible, BMW M4 Convertible, and the upcoming Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Convertible all fit into the same sport-luxury mode, but those who want a more focused driving experience are better off opting for the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible or the Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0.
What equipment comes with the Lexus LC 500 Convertible?
As mentioned above, the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible comes standard with a variety of equipment, including keyless entry and start, a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, 12-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson stereo.
From a mechanical point of view, the car comes with staggered 20-inch (front) and 21-inch (rear) wheels, adaptive shock absorbers, and large brakes (338mm discs at the front with six-piston calipers; The rear wheel 308mm discs with four-piston calipers), but the LC 500 convertible doesn't come with the coupe's variable ratio steering and rear-wheel steering, let alone a carbon roof, for obvious reasons.
In Australia, all Lexus models come with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with a limited service charge of $3,475 for the first five servicings every 12 months or 15,000 km.
The Lexus Encore aftermarket program offers discounts on roadside assistance, service loan carts, and a variety of dining and entertainment venues, while the optional paid Elevate and Platinum tiers add the ability to book another Lexus on demand, valet parking at participating malls, and access to a variety of airport lounges around the world.
How safe is the Lexus LC 500 convertible?
The 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is equipped with eight airbags and a full suite of safety assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, active cruise control, and more, to fully meet both passive and active safety requirements. It is worth mentioning that these driver assistance systems are also carefully calibrated with rare and subtle interventions
What technology is in the Lexus LC 500 Convertible?
Arguably, the biggest upgrade to the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is the recently introduced proper touchscreen infotainment display, which finally replaces the dreaded mouse or trackpad that has made every Lexus infotainment system ergonomically challenging to operate for years.
It's not the most ingenious system, as pushes and slides are sometimes overlooked, but it makes the interaction of the LC 500 a thousand times easier, and it not only has smartphone mirroring, but also Lexus connected services.
This allows car owners to remotely lock or unlock the car, know fuel levels, tire pressure, and vehicle location, remotely start the engine as well as real-time traffic and weather updates, automatic collision notifications, and emergency service calls.
What is the power of the Lexus LC 500 Convertible?
The 2024 Lexus LC 500 convertible's 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine under the hood is likely to be a key factor in the purchase decision.
If you've never experienced it, you might wonder why it's making such a splash, because the 351kW/540Nm doesn't get much attention these days, nor does a 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.0 seconds.
The numbers don't tell the whole story, though, as we'll get to later, but power is sent to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential.
How fuel efficient is the Lexus LC 500 Convertible?
Despite these 10 ratios, the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible isn't particularly fuel-efficient. In fact, there is nothing "special" about it, as the claimed combined fuel consumption is 11.6L/100km.
However, unlike some turbocharged competitors, whose official fuel claims can be extremely misleading, naturally aspirated means that the LC 500 has a cap on fuel burn even at high intensity. That being said, it's best not to ask.
How is it like to drive a Lexus LC 500 convertible?
When you sit in the driver's seat, you'll notice that the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible has many holes in its armor. Due to the unstable ride quality on rough roads and the high revving characteristics of the engine, it is difficult to play the role of a luxury grand tourer.
Combined with the very soft throttle response in normal mode and the 4800Nm of torque at 540rpm to drive 2035kg, it can't move forward as easily and hassle-free as some of its competitors.
Unfortunately, the weight issue is a major reason why the LC 500 doesn't count as a sports car.
The lack of rigidity of the body and the softer suspension (by the standards of similar models) also did not favor the positioning of the car. Still, while the first few paragraphs of text may make you think that Lexus' luxury coupe is bad, that's not the case.
Yes, the car does have flaws, but driving it is still a very enjoyable experience. It all starts with the engine. With every 1000 rpm, the power increases and the tone gradually hardens.
Without turbo torque, the LC 500's performance satisfaction will be delayed, but this will only make it more satisfying.
In Sport+ mode, it's really powerful, with responsive throttle response and super-fast shifting, and the 10 ratio means the tachometer doesn't drop too much when a new gear is selected.
Similarly, the handling of the LC 500 benefits from the basic correctness of rear-wheel drive. If you're a true keen driver, you'll appreciate the extra sharpness and agility that a coupe brings, but the convertible is still very powerful and enjoyable.
Drop the roof and stick out the engine at every opportunity, the wall of noise means that body shaking is quickly forgiven, or even forgotten.
What does the interior of a Lexus LC 500 convertible look like?
The interior of the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is typical of the brand, boasting a high-quality environment. It felt perfect, just as you could have hoped for.
While the curves and creases of this design may not be for everyone, the driving position is excellent, the materials are quite luxurious, and thanks to the large number of physical buttons, it is not difficult to find everything you need.
The LC still has the coolest in-production instrument cluster with a movable ring from the LFA supercar, and the ditch of the previous trackpad not only makes the infotainment system easier to use, but also frees up more space on the center console.
Technically, the LC 500 convertible is a four-seater, but it's hard to imagine anyone other than a pre-adolescent child getting in the car, and even if they did, it would only be for a short time.
However, the presence of ISOFIX anchor points means that the child seat can be installed on the passenger side, albeit at the expense of the front passenger.
Where LC really struggles is with trunk space. The Coupe isn't bad, but half of the space is now used to store the roof of the convertible, so while the weekly grocery shopping is okay, you'll have to pack light on a weekend getaway.
Should I buy a Lexus LC 500 convertible?
Buying a car like the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is purely for emotional reasons, so the question is, if you like the look and feel of this car, are its flaws so big as to put you off?
No. If you're a keen driver, then the Coupe is definitely your go-to, but despite not knowing what it wants to be, the LC is a mesmerizing machine.
It looks like it's worth millions, makes a wonderful sound, is very pleasant to drive, and feels like a luxury.
This car isn't for everyone, but if you like its design, then you'll most likely like its performance.
2024 款雷克萨斯 LC 500 敞篷车一览：
Price: $218,242 (excluding on-road fees)
Availability: Now
Engine: 5.0-litre V8 petrol
输出：351kW/540Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel: 11.6L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2：232g/km（ADR 综合）