Images
The LC Convertible was, says Lexus, "one of the most sought-after vehicles we've produced". Launched in 2020, it was the first time the brand had properly ventured up towards the three-figure price bracket and to justify that, this open-topped sports car had to be very desirable indeed. It was. It came equipped to take on the luxury convertible segment's very top contenders, with drive dynamics that worked on the track as well as on the highway. Plus there's styling that'll cause a stir in the High Street and a gorgeous cabin.
+ More
Detailed ratings
Luxury Sports Convertibles
History
This car, said Lexus back in 2020, signalled the future direction of its brand. Clearly then, the LC Convertible was significant - more than just a derivative of the impressive LC Coupe.
In theory, like the fixed-top LC model, it was aimed directly at the BMW 8 Series and the Porsche 911. And for the LCC version, there was only a powerful conventionally engined V8 petrol available. Unlike the fixed-top LC, there was no Hybrid-engined alternative - which made this the only model in the whole Lexus line-up in this period that featured no hybrid engine electrification of any kind.
Another first for the company was found in this convertible's use of a folding fabric top. Previous Lexus convertibles - the SC 430 of 2001 and the IS 250C of 2009 - had folding metal roof panels, which didn't do either model any favours in the beauty stakes. This LC Convertible, in contrast, was a very good looking piece of designwork indeed. It sold until 2024 and wasn't replaced.
+ More
What you get
Lexus likes to set itself high aspirations in engineering and design. Here, the objective was to create 'the world's most beautiful open topped car'. No pressure then. Unlike its two open-air Lexus predecessors, this car has a fabric folding top, not an origami-style folding roof made up of heavy metal panels.
As you'll see when activating the roof, which raises in just 15 seconds. Making the silhouette attractive with the top up was a major priority for Chief Designer Tadao Mori. As he correctly pointed out, few convertibles manage to be stylish and elegant with their roofs in place - but, to our eyes anyway, this one does.
One of the principle design challenges was to minimise bulkiness in the bodywork in the shoulder area immediately behind the rear seats. This was achieved by creating an extra fold in the soft top so that it can be stowed in the area behind those rear seats, between the left and right suspension towers.
Once inside, you're treated to the usual Lexus 'Omotenashi' Japanese welcome, that word encapsulating the ancient Oriental concept that describes one's ability to anticipate the needs of another, even before they arise. So you're looked after by seat heaters, neck heaters and a heated steering wheel, all of which are automatically activated depending on the outside temperature and the position of the fabric top. With the roof down, the temperature and climate system airflow volume are automatically regulated according to factors such as the amount of sunlight, the outside temperature and the vehicle speed.
The leather seats are absolutely superb, as they should be in any good GT Convertible. They feature a clever two-part design in which the main part of the seatback drapes over the shoulder area of the seat and wraps around the back. There's more unique design in the unusual instrument binnacle you view through this three spoke wheel which, though a touch over-buttoned, feels great to hold. The gauges you view are based on those of the brand's old LFA supercar, with a central virtual rev counter and digital speedo dial that on the press of a steering wheel button slides sideways to the right to reveal another screen with trip computer, audio, safety and settings options.
What about the rear seats? Yes you do get them. You wouldn't do on rival Jaguar F-TYPE and Aston Martin Vantage Convertible models. Though if you use the mesh wind deflector (which most original owners specified), you won't be able to use them.
Unfortunately, the room on offer turns out to be horribly tight - which you kind of expect on a small cheap convertible, but feel less inclined to forgive in a larger, more expensive one like this. Legroom is extremely tight and when the top's up, the sloping roofline means that even adults of quite normal height will have their necks uncomfortably cricked against the roof lining.
Let's finish with a look at boot space. Earlier, we mentioned the way that the soft top's extra fold allowed for a more compact roof sandwich that can be stowed directly behind the rear seats (alongside the hydraulic motor system). In theory, this should mean less of an encroachment on boot space, which is important because the standard LC Coupe doesn't have much of it - just 197-litres - a bit of a major failing for a luxury sports GT. Despite all that design ingenuity, the cargo area shrinks in size here to 149-litres. There are four silver tie down points but the under-floor area is taken up with a battery. Pack light.
+ More
What to look for
This is a pretty bullet-proof luxury convertible - but there are still things to look for. The best-known issue is what's called a 'Valley Plate' coolant leak from the 5.0-litre V8 which requires significant labour to repair as the intake manifold must be removed. Early models may experience water pump failures or thermostats that get stuck open, preventing the engine from reaching optimal operating temperatures. Some early production examples have been known to develop oil leaks around the timing covers or oil sumps. While the engine is highly durable, the oil can overheat if tracking the car hard in Sport+ mode for more than 5 minutes.
A known, somewhat common problem is water getting into the electronics of the pop-out door handles when washing the car, which can cause them to fail. The climate control servo motors can occasionally act up, causing strange noises or improper airflow. Thoroughly check the infotainment system; it was known to suffer from freezing and glitches. There shouldn't be any leaks from the convertible fabric roof, but it's worth running the car through a car wash roof-up just to make sure. Inspect the expensive big wheels for scrapes and scratches. Obviously insist on a full service record.
+ More
Replacement parts
(approx prices based on a 2020 LCC - ex Vat) Lexus parts aren't that much cheaper than those you'd get from the premium German marques, so don't expect big bargains here. Lexus LC parts range from £5 for basic consumables to £25,000 for a V8 engine. Oil filters start around £5, and front wiper blades are about £21. Alloy wheels are typically £2,600 each and pre-programmed TPMS sensors are around £79. A replacement bonnet costs around £1,075 (excluding painting), and door skins are about £1,600. A new front cover for the existing key (the surface peels!) is around £148. A door mirror is around £900. A bonnet is around £1075.
+ More
On the road
Previously, if Lexus had launched a car into this segment, it would have been a direct competitor to the Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet. But it says much for the way that the LC Coupe changed perceptions of what this brand was dynamically capable of that by 2020 the market had no trouble in perceiving this LC Convertible as a rival to far more sporting large luxury soft tops like the Porsche 911 Cabriolet.
There's only one engine on offer, a 32-valve old-school normally aspirated petrol V8, but it's more than up to the job of moving this car along very quickly indeed, storming to 62mph in 5.0s en route to 168mph. Inevitably, this 457bhp 5.0-litre powertrain lacks the torque that would come as part of the turbo technology that all this car's competitors use, but Lexus reckon you won't really register that thanks to the trick this V8-powered LC has up its sleeve; a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The idea is that with so many gears, you simply won't notice the atmospheric 5.0-litre unit's relative lack of pulling power because of the way this car compensates with such a closely-stacked multitude of ratios.
This open-topped model represented the Lexus brand's first use of a fabric folding top, rather than one with metal-folding panels. It doesn't activate quite as quickly as the roof of an open-topped Aston Martin Vantage, but a raising or lowering time of just 15 seconds is more than acceptable and it can happen at speeds of up to 31mph. With the roof in place, refinement is virtually as good as that of the fixed-top LC Coupe and you can really concentrate on this car's surprisingly drive dynamics. Yes, it slightly favours comfort over dynamism (as opposed to a rival Porsche 911 Cabriolet in which it's the other way round), but we think many potential customs might prefer that. And, if you wish, you can improve handling bite by finding a car whose original owner specified the optional 'Sport+ Package', which also includes more responsive variable-ratio steering and a Torsen limited slip differential to help get power down through the corners. Issues concerning WLTP-rated running cost efficiency won't trouble a typical LC Convertible customer too much, but for the record, the combined fuel figure is 24.1mpg and the CO2 reading is 275g/km.
+ More
Overall
The LC Convertible was a logical extension of the Lexus product range but for those fortunate enough to eventually own one, it'll represent anything but a logical purchase decision. This is the kind of car you don't want to have to sensibly justify, a way to reward yourself for decades of toil.
Previous to this LCC model's launch, if you sought such a thing, didn't want a track-tamed roadster-style model and couldn't quite stretch to a convertible from Bentley or Rolls-Royce, something of a compromise was required. Either the luxury of a Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet or BMW 8 Series convertible. Or the sharper handling of a Porsche 911 Cabriolet or Maserati Cabrio. This Lexus had a pretty good stab at providing the best of both worlds. And that makes it very desirable indeed.
+ More
Have you considered these alternative models...
Find a Review
We have over 500 new and used car reviews to help you find your next car.
Browse reviews and model guides for all makes
