Who says premium sports cars are dead? Not Lexus. They continue to satisfy Dad Drivers like me every year with the LC 500. It’s arguably one of the most finely crafted sports cars on the market today, premium or not, and in 2022, the LC is sexier than ever. Fine-tuning is evident in the thrilling drive, and Lexus has added enough modern amenities to keep new sports car drivers interested.
But – and it’s a big but – the LC 500 is ultimately a sports coupe which for Dad Drivers like myself means less space for both passengers and cargo. If you’re in the midst of the chaos known as parenthood (like I am), space is a precious and crucial commodity in your daily vehicle of choice. However, if the kids are already out of the house and you’re now treating yourself, the LC 500 might be just what your empty nest needs.
What This Dad Digs about the 2022 Lexus LC 500
Move over, Dad bod, something sexier is in town – The last time I reviewed the Lexus LC 500, I couldn’t stop raving about its body contours and visual appeal. That hasn’t changed. The LC is still easy on the eyes from any angle, and the vehicle draws on some of the best design elements Lexus has produced, starting with the eye-catching spindle grille. Wide and squat, the LC is the visual epitome of “aerodynamic” with curves that don’t stop. I love the wide wheel arches and the sleek, razor-like front and rear lights. The newly added 21-inch aluminum wheels look aggressive and grip the road masterfully. My favorite part of the LC’s exterior might be the carbon fiber roof with a subtle cross-stitch pattern worked into it. It’s the last thing you see before you enter the car, especially if you’re a tall individual like me, so it’s nice to be reminded of the luxury you’re about to step into.
Interior Glory – Beauty isn’t skin deep when it comes to the 2022 LC 500: the luxurious eye candy goes through and through. The LC I reviewed came equipped with two-tone Alcantara suede seats mixed black and red – a deadly duo that looks so cool, it’s bonkers. White stitching ran along leathered portions of the dash and center console, and the red suede even found its way onto the door design. Seriously, look at this swooping door design and tell me its sleekness isn’t jaw-dropping.
The cockpit-style design of the cabin can undoubtedly give a sense of claustrophobia, but once the engine starts purring, you immediately feel at one with the car. I love the stubby shifter, the muted, uncluttered dash layout, and the inclusion of the same carbon fiber design above the glovebox. I even came to appreciate the slightly awkward hand grip separator between the driver and passenger seats. It especially came in handy when I put the pedal to the metal with my wife riding shotgun.
Aging Tech that actually feels Refreshing – I’ve heard the complaints that Lexus hasn’t sufficiently updated their infotainment screen or the digital gauge behind the steering wheel. Some modern car enthusiasts ask, “where are the large touch screens” or wish the LC had a more detailed gauge layout. But I found that I didn’t need anything more than the LC offered. I don’t need an obnoxiously large touch screen in my vehicles, and despite the learning curve that the Lexus touchpad in the center console requires, it’s actually very responsive and easy to use once it becomes second nature. I use Android Auto heavily, and using the trackpad to navigate that user interface was a breeze. And while the digital gauge is indeed sparse, the driver’s attention should be on the drive. With the excellent heads-up display installed in the LC I reviewed, I magically had all the essential information I needed on the road in front of me.
Driving Required – As pretty as the 2022 LC 500 is, it’s not just for lookin’ at. At some point, you have to drive and drive, you will. Lexus offers the LC 500 in a few engine configurations, including a hybrid version, but the one I tested came equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough power to get the LC from 0 to 60 in around 4.4 seconds. The LC is fast but technically not as fast as other luxury sports cars in this same class. I don’t put all my stock into 0-60 ratings, and the acceleration in the LC is exhilarating enough to excite most thrill seekers.
Growling at just the right pitch, the LC’s capable engine sounds beautiful. Once it’s on the road, the LC powers through its gears and makes short work of distance. Handling is tight, responsive, and crafty. For 2022 Lexus revised the suspension, adding some fine-tuning to its global platform. Winding, well-paved roads are where the car really let its colors fly, and those stretches of road allowed the LC to show off its tight turning radius. This little car is undoubtedly a gas guzzler, but if you’re an experienced driver, you squeeze every bit of excitement from that gasoline as possible.
What Gets This Dad’s Downvote
Spaced Out – No surprise here: interior and cargo space has always been limited in the LC, which doesn’t change this year. The trunk only holds 5.4 cubic feet of space, enough for two medium-sized luggage bags and a carry-on. I fit around ten bags of groceries quickly enough in the trunk, but there certainly is no room for something like a stroller. Inside, the second row of seats is barely a place usable for extra passengers larger than a child. I have long legs, so the driver’s seat has to be so far back that there is only actual room behind the passenger. That’s where I placed my daughter’s car seat, but even with her in it, the passenger seat had to be moved far forward to give her sufficient legroom. I didn’t even try to get my other daughter’s car seat behind the driver’s seat – there just isn’t enough room.
Last Year’s Safety Features– Being so low to the ground, in such a confined cabin, can certainly produce the illusion of vulnerability, but the LC does come equipped with the Lexus Safety System+. The system includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, automatic emergency braking, and a forward collision warning system. However, the 2022 LC doesn’t include some of the more advanced features that Lexus has included in other modern vehicles. There is no 360 view of the car’s surroundings while in reverse – for instance – nor is there a safe-exit system: a cool feature that uses the blind-spot sensors to check if it is unsafe to open a door due to an approaching bicyclist or vehicle.
It’s the Dream
In my dreams, once my girls are grown and I’m no longer their personal Uber driver, I’ll have the luxury of owning a car that caters to my need. That luxury could very well be the luxury of a sports car, and for money, it’s the LC. And money is certainly required! The version of the LC reviewed here starts at $94,125, and that’s without the amenities that I fell in love with, like the leather stitching and the heads-up display. The convertible version of the 2022 LC, which has its own unique appeal, starts at $102k.
Calling the LC expensive is an understatement but ultimately a false equivalence because when thoroughly enjoyed to its capacity, every penny spent feels justifiable and almost unworthy of the thrills this vehicle offers.
Phillip is a filmmaker, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and craft beer aficionado. He writes about cars, car tech, and various other cool Dad things. He lives, works and plays in Dallas, Texas.
