2022 Lexus LC500h Hybrid: A Closer Look

CAR FRONT VIEW

The LC 500 has always been a top-line model in the Lexus lineup. With only a few thousand imported to the USA market from Japan, it is exclusive as well. In addition to the popular V-8-powered version, the factory has offered a hybrid choice for those concerned about fuel consumption. This is the one we ordered.

Text and photos by Chad Haire

ENGINE

The standard LC 500 has a 5.0 liter V-8 cranking out a hefty 471 horsepower and hooked to a modern 10-speed automatic gearbox. It moves out in a hurry, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The fuel economy is listed at 19 mpg overall. This hybrid has a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, connected to electric motors and batteries. It is attached to a CVT transmission. The total output is 354 horsepower. Claimed 0-60 time is 5.6 seconds. The listed fuel economy is 29 overall, with a 26/34 spread. We placed 600 miles on the clock to get the real numbers, so stay tuned.

PADDLE SHIFTERS

While the hybrid LC is slower than the V-8, you get fancy magnesium paddle shifters to make drivers think they are going quicker than they are.

DRIVE MODE

This control allows for different drive modes, from ECO up to SPORT+. The former setting suggests the best fuel economy, the latter not so much.

TRUNK

With only five cubic feet of space, don't expect a spare tire.

TRUNK MOUNTED SPOILER

We have the optional trunk-mounted air wing spoiler. It looks nice, but this carbon fiber part adds $2,750 to the tab. A carbon fiber roof panel is here for an extra $2,400.

TIRES

Since there is no room for a spare tire, Lexus supplies run-flat tires mounted on 10-spoke alloy wheels.

HEADLIGHTS

We took these triple-bulb headlights out on some back-country roads to see how they performed in the dark. The illumination was very bright, and a spread wide enough for taking brisk corners.

CABIN

This car has the "Alcantara-Manhattenhenge" package. This along with a "Bespoke-Build" option jacks the price up a tidy $7,200. The items you get for this amount of coin are too long to list here but make for interesting reading on the Lexus web page. The most obvious stand-out feature for this money is super luxurious leather trim, that is going to impress everyone. It smells great too. This is a good reason to keep coffee mugs and fast food out of THIS cabin!

TOUCH PAD

Most of the infotainment system is controlled by this finger touch pad. It is not as easy to use as the previous stick control, so will take practice to master.

POV

We took this car on plenty of trips, racking up about 600 miles. Real-world fuel economy was 22 mpg city, 26 average, and 31 highway. But keep in mind, that these trips were done on hot summer days, where outside temperatures were often 100-116 degrees. Hybrid cars do not like extreme temperatures, hot or cold. They can lose up to 35% of normal fuel consumption if driven out of the 50-95 degree range. In cooler weather, we suspect the numbers could be closer to the 26/34 mpg claimed.

GAS CONSUMPTION

How much gas money will you save with the LC 500 hybrid over the LC 500 V-8? We did the math. At 50,000 miles, the difference between claimed 29 mpg average vs 19 is about 900 gallons. Using premium blend, that saves about $5K at the pump with today's crazy prices. That's the good news. However, while the V-8 car starts at about $94K, this hybrid version jumps to $99K. Yep, about $5K more. So fuel savings begin at this 50K mile marker.

PRICE SHEET

Since we are talking price, this is a good time to look at the window sticker. This LC is loaded up with everything, which explains the total fee of $115,285. There is $5,750 worth of carbon fiber on here, and while it is unlikely to shave much weight off this vehicle's 4,300 pound mass, many buyers will want it anyway. The Mark Levinson 13-speaker stereo is certainly a better value at $1,220.

CAR REAR VIEW

So is it worth paying an extra five grand for this LC hybrid that's slower than the V-8 version? Most hardcore gear heads will say no. But keep in mind, there are plenty of Lexus owners out there who are sedate drivers, and would never consider exceeding a speed limit. They don't care about getting there fast, they just want to get there in style. To these drivers, the extra power of that V-8 would never be used, and thus be a waste. So for them, having the choice of this more economical LC 500 hybrid is a good deal.

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus LC500h Hybrid right here at ClubLexus.com.

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