For 2021, Lexus made the Luxury Coupe (LC) 500 a sportier car through a couple of design improvements. Engineers used aluminum to make the suspension arms of the car, resulting in 22 pounds of weight loss. They also increased the rigidity of the rear anti-roll bar which enabled the car to hug turns more tightly. Plus, it just looks in-cre-di-ble.

Here are the highlights of the gasoline powered 2021 LC 500 and the hybrid LC 500h — both of which are on their way to our Lexus dealership near Hardeeville soon. In the meantime, here’s what you can expect when you get behind the wheel of the new Lexus LC:

The LC 500 needs only 4.4 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill, thanks to its 5.0-liter V8 engine that can deliver 471 horsepower at 7,100 rpm. The LC 500h gets to 60 mph in 4.7 secs using the combined power of a 3.5-liter V6 engine, two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack.

The LC 500 gets 16 city/25 highway miles per gallon of gasoline; the LC 500h mileage is 26/34/29, respectively.

In both cars, an adaptive variable suspension keeps the ride smooth and the anti-roll bar keeps it steady on sharp turns.

These are the noteworthy design elements that are standard with both LC 500 and LC 500h:

• Glass roof with sunshade
• Flush exterior door handles
• 20-inch staggered-width, split-10-spoke, alloy wheels. The LC 500 has Dark Silver colored, cast alloy wheels with machined finish. The 500h has forged alloy wheels with Dark Graphite finish.
• Eight-way power adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. A Climate Concierge with single switch control integrates the heated seating and steering wheel with the climate control functions.

The LC 500 comes with many standard features. Some of the most notable ones are:

• 10.3-inch color LCD multimedia display for navigation.
• Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integrated with the 12-speaker Lexus Premium Audio System through USB connection.
• Several useful Lexus Enform features for the first three years of ownership. These include Dynamic Navigation, Destination Assist and Enform Remote with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant™. Enform Remote enables you to do several functions remotely using your personal smart devices: check status of windows, check fuel level, lock/unlock doors, start the engine, and turn on climate control.
• Dynamic Voice Command for the first ten years of ownership. It is useful for hands free navigation, phone calls and climate control.

Safety is important for a powerful car like the LC. Both the 500 and 500h are equipped with eight airbags, dynamic skid prevention, blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert. They also have the Lexus Safety System+ with these features:

• Pre-collision detection that triggers audible and visual alerts for the driver. It also initiates Brake Assist for stronger braking action including automatic braking if the driver is slow to respond.
• Lane departure alert at speeds greater than 32 mph to alert the driver and initiate Steering Assist for bringing the car back into its lane.
• All Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, for both highway and city driving, to automatically maintain speed while keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
• Intelligent High Beam that switches to low beam when another vehicle is in the beam’s range.

The MSRP for the LC 500 is $92,950, and pricing starts at $97,510 for the 500h. Are these cars worth that much money? According to Kelley Blue Book, an authority on car valuations, the answer is a resounding yes.

“With its outstanding build quality, absolute dependability, and traditionally strong resale values, the 2021 Lexus LC is a sensible automotive indulgence.”

There are several attractive upgrade packages available with features like carbon fiber roof, head-up display, upgraded audio system, parking assist, Torsen®* limited-slip rear differential, and many others.

The much anticipated LC 500 convertible will be arriving in summer. A special feature of the convertible is the active roll bars that are hidden when not in use and when the top is down; the roll bars are activated only in the event of a potential rollover. The convertible can lower and raise the top in about 16 seconds while cruising at speeds less than 31 mph.

Hilton Head Lexus of Hardeeville, SC specializes in the sales, service, and financing of Lexus vehicles. Please contact us to test-drive an LC 500 or schedule an appointment to meet with a member of our auto finance team.