2018 Lexus LC500h Makes You Truly Rethink Luxury Hybrids
Instead of technology being tied up into trying to make this car an on-paper track monster, the attention found its way to the hybrid tech. First off, it must be said that it performs absolutely everything seamlessly and behind the scenes. Knowing how much is going on behind the scenes is what impresses.
CVT transmissions are known to be a bit dull, so Lexus added an additional 4-speed transmission to the LC500h. You’re probably wondering how it all looks packaged inline. Lets say you were standing and facing the driver’s side of the car. From left to right you’d see the V6 motor, motor generator 1, the CVT transmission, motor generator 2, and finally the 4-speed gearbox. Lexus calls this a “Multi Stage” hybrid due to the fact that motor generator 2 can run through the 4 speed transmission, allowing it to drive on full EV mode, even at highway speed. It’s quite fun to watch the needle dance between 0 and 1,000 RPM on the highway, especially while getting well over 30 mpg. In fact, 33.4 combined over a several-hundred-mile journey.
Motor Generator 1 and or 2 can also be working in conjunction with the V6, combined with a total horsepower output of 354. Low down torque from the electric motors and tightly packed initial “gears” mean the sprint to 60 miles per hour is still respectable at under 5 seconds, and that speed matches the deep hum of the engine. Like any car with a CVT, it never feels fully connected to the experience, but to its credit this is really the only area and the only time where aside from outright speed, the 500h takes a hit in driving fun factor.
Arguably, it has looks going for it as well. Although on 20-inch rather than 21-inch rims found on the V8 model, the wide rear hips are shared by both LC models and certainly make for a stunning looking car. Painted in a deep metallic blue that Lexus calls Nightfall Mica also works well on this shape, though a lighter color would likely show off the car’s contrasting black c-pillar a little better. Darker colors do help show off the unique chrome accents that run along the sides of the roof.
It’s interesting to say that a door panel could be considered ‘beautiful,’ but on the LC500h, it comes close.
Lexus’ grill has often been a talking point, and a mostly polarizing one at that. On its own, it is questionable, but with the LC’s multi-piece headlight design and other functional air inlets, it seems to work well. Out back, the stand out feature is the mirrored tail lights. They take some time to admire, especially when you observe the visual effect of the lens mirroring that makes them appear deeper than they are.
There’s no complaints about the way the interior looks, however. A black dash and “Rioja Red” accents are of the highest quality. Leather is perforated on the seats, but when it comes to the door panels, red suede is used. It’s interesting to say that a door panel could be considered “beautiful,” but on the LC500h, it comes close. It’s also technically a four-seater, but those rear seats are less comfortable for anyone other than smaller humans.
A wide center console houses a touchpad that controls the Lexus Enform infotainment center, complete with Mark Levinson audio. While navigating the system might take some getting used to, the hi-fi audio with almost no detectable wind noise makes for a serene cocoon across the interstate.
Typically, we can appreciate cars that do one particular thing exceptionally well. But the Lexus LC500h seems to do a lot of things well. Not only does it perform dynamically, but its environmental impact is low, and its visual impact is high. Still, those after that sporting edge and snarling V8 will choose the LC500 over the hybrid. We can’t blame them because we too would prefer that car, but it certainly doesn’t mean the hybrid is bad. In fact, it is brilliant.
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