IS the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible the PERFECT GT droptop?

We drive the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible and find out if it's the perfect GT droptop.
This is the 2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible and when it came out in 2017 it was a striking piece of automotive sculpture. Fast forward to 2024 and it’s as stunning as it ever was, enhanced by the gorgeous powerplant under its swooping hood.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:26 Design
1:12 New for 2024
1:58 Cargo Space
2:28 Engine and Transmission
2:53 Pricing
3:57 Rear Seat
5:01 Interior and Tech
8:26 Driving Impressions
18:44 Verdict
I know how good the Lexus LC 500 is because I ask for one from Lexus every year and it’s always available because I think many automotive journalists overlook how good it really is. This car is an attempt by Lexus to make a sporting GT car, and while its on-paper stats don't quite match its rivals, it makes up for that by being an amazing experience when you are going down the road. It is arguably one of the most gorgeous luxury two-door luxury sports convertibles on the road today.
The best way to enjoy the LC 500 is to not compare it with any of the competition because they’re all faster and have better handling. This is a machine to be savored, lusted after, and worshipped because very soon, they simply won’t be allowed to make cars like this anymore.
What's new for 2024?
All convertibles get a horizontal suspension damper (from Yamaha) in the back lessening vibrations from flex in the chassis. The LC 500 Convertible also gets the LC 500h’s standard 21-inch forged alloy wheels with three options available. They wear 245/45s on the form and 275/40s on the rear.
Under the hood
It has a gorgeous naturally aspirated 5.0 V8 with 471 hp @ 7,100 rpm and 398 ft-lb @ 4,800 rpm driven through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Select the hooligan (Sport S+) button on the side of the instrument binnacle and it will go from 0- 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Fuel economy on the highway is 25 mpg but the best I could do was 13.7 mpg.
2024 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Bespoke Build Numbers
BASE PRICE: $105,200
AS TESTED PRICE: $117,660
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front-engine, RWD, 4-passenger, 2-door convertible
ENGINE: DOHC 32-valve Atkinson-capable 5.0-liter V-8
POWER: 471 HP @ 7,100 rpm
TORQUE: 398 ft-lb @ 4,800 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 10-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
0-60 MPH: 4.6 sec
TOP SPEED: 168 mph
CURB WEIGHT: 4,540 lb
CARGO VOLUME: 5 cu. ft.
WHEELS: 21-inch split 5-spoke forged alloy wheels
TIRES: Dunlop Sport Maxx Summer - Front 245/40, Rear 275/35
EPA FUEL ECONOMY: CITY/HWY/COMB: 15/25/18 mpg
OUR OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 13.7 MPG
PROS: Stunning exterior, glorious engine note, sport mode is a hoot, high revving V8 joy
CONS: No wireless charger

[@LCculater]

This car will never be in a shop every month like a bmw , Audi, and a jag !

[@jasonal1769]

The LC500 is incredible! I have no doubt it will be a true collector and highly sought after once no longer available. Thank you Lexus for an absolute master piece!

[@RevLexus]

it is stunning, they have already cancelled it in Europe

[@gadgets3337]

Such a beautiful car. I wish I can afford to buy one before they discontinue it!

[@frederickw.schmidt5475]

Thanks. This was a helpful review: informed, clear, enjoyable, yet focused.

[@martinmcdonald4207]

Who would not want this beauty in their drive?

[@LCculater]

I own a 2022 with track pad and just love it ! No fingerprints on the screen and who has time to be playing with the screen while driving ? I use consierge which automatically adjust heating and cooling , most don’t know this .

[@Centurion-yw5ky]

Snap, and agree with all your comments but I wish I had the 360 camera!

[@mohammadal-abbasi7247]

@@Centurion-yw5kyI double that

[@RevLexus]

Great video, my first time seeing that colour combination on a LC.

[@ellypsis603]

Absolute dream car

[@jerrywarren2007]

I have a 21 and it has been wonderful. I appreciate the tech changes for 24 were driven by feedback. The downside is they butchered the dash to put the new screen in there. Mine has the older Michelin run flats and they seem to be the preferred rubber. I have a second set of wheels with Pirelli winter tires so I can use it year round in Chicago.

[@mohammadal-abbasi7247]

Great review great car 👌🏼

[@ac3arcadia]

Those Dunlop SportMaxx 060 are fortunately NOT run flat tires :-) Interesting spec, but I highly recommend driving a 2024 Coupé - feels like a different car.

[@joer8386]

Is it just me or was there a repeating thumping sound that sounded like a flat tire when you put down the roof and drove in sport plus?

[@DeltaCharlie27]

great review and car! not sure I'd agree that auto journalists have overlooked this one though... seems to be a darling among all the ones I've seen. though they do seem to struggle with how best to classify it - there are faster, more practical, more utilitarian, more modern but few if any cars have an actual parallel in the price range.

[@ae747sp5]

Now there's a workable touch screen instead of the dangerous key pad.

[@RevLexus]

My lc is riding on Bridgestone Altezza

[@overinvested]

fuel efficiency can be close to 35mpg on the highway and driving between 60 and 70 mph

[@sly9263]

This vehicle suffers from too many gears, frankly. It would be better off with taller gearing so you can rev it out more. I can count on one hand the amount of times I've been over 6th gear. 8 gears would have been more than sufficient, but 10 is just a waste.

[@zetapingpong]

@@sly9263I like the extra gears. The lower gears are much shorter than the later ones. Cruising over 80mph while at 1500rpm is pretty good on gas for those longer trips.

[@sly9263]

​@@zetapingpong I don't really have a use for long trips in a 2 door with limited space- I'd take the GX460 or F250 for that. I'll drive the LC like a caddy with my wife in the car, otherwise I want to hear it sing, which means I'm keeping it at or above 4,000 RPM at all times. Highway MPG is cool and all but at the end of the day I care more about enjoying the vehicle than saving a few bucks on fuel.

[@sly9263]

@@zetapingpong it is amazing though to see the MPG modern V8s can get on the highway though

[@petergazarek9466]

LEXUS 👌😎👍 THE PERFECTION

[@thearcticasian23]

I think it’s funny when people mention poor fuel economy on a V8…..ummmm….what did you expect??🤔🤔😂

[@RevLexus]

I drive the hybrid LC coupe and get so much hate online

[@TheDrivewire]

No flat tire, I’m not sure what the sound was.

[@asong26]

Are you sure about the seats? Bespoke convertibles only comes with Sports Seats.

[@RevLexus]

oh do they?

[@lawrencefearon6830]

If you really obsessed over convertibles you'd know the R230 generation [2001-2012] of Mercedes SL's was the most refined expression of the art. It's glass roof an exercise in virtuoso engineering. From the OEM with more convertible experience than any other and it feels like it. I mean this thing had an automatic or on demand power operated full sized leather wrapped roll bar built in. It came with a Twin Turbocharged V12 from AMG which to this day is gapping Tesla Model 3's. While coddling a driver ensconced in heated or cooled massaging seats. Which are not available on the LC500. Neither are the fully active suspension, fog lights and spare tires. Mercedes can't even build them like that any more. Absolute drop-top perfection.

[@RevLexus]

I vaguely remember there being some mental options on the SL. I realy do like the SL too.