The drop dead gorgeous 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible – equipped with Active Sport Exhaust – rumbles at start-up, growls confidently standing still and roars with gusto when putting the pedal down. 
Cutting to the chase, I want one.
As Tested
Lexus delivered the 2021 LC 500 Convertible in – what they call ‘Infrared’ – for a week-long drive test a couple weeks back.
For old folks like us, their Infrared color is roughly the same as “Candy Apple Red” from our generation. In either case, just a stunning color on a stunning vehicle.
The MSRP was $101, 000. With packages and options (including the exclusive paint), our test 2021 LC 500 Convertible had a delivered price of $112,700.
Exterior
Lexus design folks crafted this very coupe-like profile with an innovative soft top design for the LC 500 Convertible. The top of our test LC 500 was in a Sand color complimenting the bold red Infrared exterior.
Precisely engineered with climate and sound controlling fabric, its articulating single operating unit includes a tonneau cover that is operated by a “one touch” switch conveniently located in the console. Smooth operating, it very quietly opens in 15-seconds – closing in just 16-seconds. So well-engineered in fact, it can be operated at speeds up to 31-mph.
Other distinctive elements included the Flush Door Handles, Ultra-compact Triple Beam LED projector headlamps and Arrowhead shape LED DRL’s, Power Folding Heated outside mirrors, Puddle Lamps, and Windshield Wiper De-icer.
Of particular note – in addition to the well-styled convertible top were the optional 21-inch wheels. The staggered-width split-five-spoke forged alloy wheels with polished finish and Gloss Black accents were a perfect balance to the Sand color top and Infrared body color.
Interior
Awesomely roomy, luxurious and exciting are words we use to describe the beautifully crafted Toasted Caramel interior of our test LC 500 Convertible.
Its Semi-Aniline Leather Trimmed 10-way power seats with stitched bolsters were heated and ventilated.
Some of said too much Caramel color. We disagree. When you want to say luxury like this baby does, you shout it out. Add-in a tasteful touch of Satin Metallic trim accents and the LC 500 fairly announces you have ‘arrived’.
In addition, our LC 500 was equipped with Climate Concierge. When you choose to drop the top – you will want to as often as you can – the upper body heating system will keep you warm even on those cooler mornings and later evenings in Hill Country Texas.
Other elements of note included the small diameter 3-spoke steering wheel w/integrated cruise control and magnesium paddle shifters, aluminum pedals, carbon-fiber scuff plates and LED interior lighting.
Noting that the LC 500 Convertible is configured with back seating – we recommend that you consider it as additional luggage space only. It is not people-sized space – rather more useful for items you need to keep close while traveling.
There is a trunk of course, not huge at 3.4 cubic feet, it is well-configured space, enabling full utilization.
Powertrain
Our 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible was powered by an awesome 5.0L DOHC V8 engine producing a whopping 471 horsepower and 398 lb.-ft. of torque.
A 10-speed Direct Shift Automatic Transmission with a Manual Mode and equipped with paddle shifters pushed those horses through the Torsen Limited Slip Differential with Yamaha Performance Damper to the rear wheels.
Pretty hot off the line and through acceleration in its NORMAL Drive Mode, the LC 500 offers SPORT and SPORT PLUS Drive Modes for even crisper throttle response and acceleration.
The specs tell us that it delivers 0-60 mph in 4.6-seconds with a maximum (electronically limited) track speed of ‘just’ 168 mph. For a coupe-styled convertible, that is well more than you may need.
Exhaust Note
Did we mention the LC 500 Convertible performs like a rocket and sounds like one too?
Equipped with a real (not digital) Active Sport Exhaust, the LC 500 rumbles at start-up, growls politely standing still and roars with gusto when putting the pedal down.
For some of us older folks………. Shades of our youth to be savored and then some.
Mechanical
Weighing in at 4,540 pounds, you might expect the LC 500 Convertible to be a bit unwieldy with the throttle down. Not so. In fact, pretty darn nimble in our estimation.
Equipped with an Adaptive Variable Suspension and tuned Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System – running on the 21-inch forged alloy wheels, our LC 500 Convertible was pleasingly surefooted on the twisting roads of Hill Country Texas while smooth as a luxury sedan around town.
Equipped with ABS Brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist and sporting six piston ventilated disc brakes 17.7-inch (front) 14.1-inch (rear) – our LC 500 had plenty of ‘grab’ when needed.
Technology / Infotainment
The LC 500 Convertible does not miss a beat when it comes to technology and infotainment.
Essential information display elements include 8-inch LCD TFT multi-information instrument cluster display and a bright 10.3-inch High Resolution Split Screen Center Display w/adjacent Mode Select knob. It includes Lexus Navigation and is also linked to the programmable Head-Up display.
The 10.3-inch display features both Dynamic Voice Command and the Lexus Flat Trackpad for scrolling. Some do not like the Trackpad, but it has continued to be improved and we managed it pretty well.
The included Lexus Enform Suite featured Safety Connect, Service Connect, Dynamic Navigation, Destination Assist, Wi-Fi, Remote w/Smart Watch and Amazon Alexa integration and more.
Audio
A 13-speaker 915-watt Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound system provides bold entertainment sound top-up AND top-down in the LC 500 Convertible.
Top up or top down, the Active Noise Control system manages audio well aided in part by a poly windscreen and mesh diffuser to minimize wind noise.
Audio features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability along with SiriusXM, Bluetooth connectivity, USB charging and input ports plus – wait for it – a single disc CD player cleverly concealed in the console.
Safety
The LC 500 Convertible is equipped with the Lexus Safety System + w/ Adaptive Cruise Control. Included are All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control Pre-Collision w/Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent High Beam Headlamps, Blind Spot Monitor w/Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep w/Steering Assist and Lane Departure Alert and more.
Roll bars you ask? They are there – concealed. In the event of collision, the Active Roll Bars automatically deploy to protect occupants.
Lexus LC 500 Series
The 2021 Lexus LC500 comes both as a coupe and a convertible. Learn more about both HERE.
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- KEY DATA: 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible
- Model Lexus
- Trim Level LC500
- Class Convertible
- Seating Four
- MSRP $101,000
- As Tested $112,700
- Engine 5.0L V8
- Horsepower 471-hp @7,100 rpm
- Torque 398 lb.-ft. @4,800 rpm
- O-60 mph 0-60 mph 4.6-seconds
- Top Speed 168-mph
- Transmission 10-Speed Direct Shift / Shifters / Manual Mode
- Drive System Rear-Wheel-Drive / Torsen Limited Slip Differential
- Drive Modes Sport / Sport Plus
- Wheel size 21-inch Forged Alloy (optional)
- Tire Size 245/40RF21 (front) / 275/35RF21 (rear)
- Suspension Double-Joint multi-link (F) multi-link (R)
- Steering Speed Sensing Electric Power Assist Rack & Pinion
- Brakes Power ABS w/EBD & Brake Assist
- Fuel Capacity 21.7-gallons
- Fuel Economy 15/25/18 mpg – City/Highway/Combined
- Range 542-miles Highway
