2021 Lexus LC Coupe

For 2021, the LC 500 costs the same as it did last year with an MSRP of $92,950 before taxes, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $1,025. This is expensive but less than the $99,200 starting price of a base Porsche 911 Carrera. However, with enough options, the LC 500's price can quickly approach the $110,000 mark.

The first and overriding impression the LC 500 delivers as you pull away is from the engine. It's an eight-cylinder symphony that builds to a crescendo at 7,300 revs before a gear change is necessary, then the orchestra starts winding up again. Even in economy mode, where the engine performs the neat trick of switching into the fuel-saving Atkinson cycle, it sounds like a big V8 should. Twist the mode selector to Sport, and the LC 500 becomes an angry beast. The throttle response tightens up, and the 10-speed auto stretches then hold the gears for you. Use the paddles, and the gear-shift is impeccably smooth and fast.

在regular traffic and driving conditions, the 10-speed automatic transmission could use a little extra refinement. It's far from a deal-breaker, though, as the transition into the next gear is so smooth. Ride quality is as close to impeccable as we've found in a car that also rides on firm suspension. We spent a lot of time on the freeway in our week with the LC 500 and found the suspension dealt with California's most corrugated highways incredibly well.

Off the freeway is where you can give the chassis a workout, and while the Lexus isn't as razor-sharp as, say, the Porsche 911, it's exuberance is infectious. The near 50/50 front-to-rear weight balance and tight chassis keep the visceral enthusiasm in check. The LC 500 is a car you can confidently throw into a corner then kick it out again with a big grin. Lap times be damned, the LC 500 is a fun car to drive hard once you've soaked up the sophisticated style and beauty.

We're now entering the fourth model year for the LC 500, and with the new tweaks under the skin, it just got even better. The LC 500 is a stunning car, so good that the awful Lexus infotainment system isn't a deal-breaker. The Porsche 911 is the obvious comparison, but the LC 500 is its own car. It looks like it drove off a concept car stand at an auto show, but it's a fully realized exercise in design, style, and build quality. It also, incidentally, has a raucous naturally aspirated V8 and handling chops that can be exploited on back roads to great effect. Furthermore, it's packed with features that make it feel more value-filled than rivals like the 911, and its unique appeal means it stands out from the crowd far more than similarly sized sports coupes.

Our test model was heavily based on 2020's Inspiration special edition, but there are very few of them in the US and don't offer any enhancements to the chassis, and many of the upgrades are available for 2021 without needing to spend extra on exclusivity. With just one model available, it's simply a case of choosing the package that suits how the LC 500 is to be enjoyed. We would go for the Sports package with the glass roof as we don't see the LC 500 as a track weapon, which makes the carbon fiber roof very much over the top. The Torsen limited-slip rear differential tightens things up perfectly for the back roads, and the Sports seat keeps the driver and passenger in place. The Dynamic Handling Package also seems over the top, but for those serious about enjoying the sports car side of the LC 500, we can't blame them at all for ticking that box.

The Touring Package is worth considering for long-distance drivers, but we don't feel it's essential. It is part of the Touring Package, but even if you don't add any packages, we whole-heartedly recommend ticking the box for the Mark Levinson sound system - it's that good.

The Porsche 911 is still fresh from a complete redesign, although as has often been the case with the venerable sports car, it doesn't look all that different from several prior generations of the 911. At $99,200, the base Carrera is more expensive than the Lexus. Despite being down on both power and torque, the Porsche's turbocharged six-cylinder engine allows the 911 to hit 60 faster than the heavier Lexus. Through the corners, the 911 is the clear winner with its flawless body control and steering. The 911 also has a better touchscreen infotainment system. However, the Lexus looks and feels more special with its arresting looks and exquisite cabin, and its naturally aspirated V8 makes a wonderful noise. It's also better-equipped, with Porsche charging an arm and a leg for many of the safety features that the Lexus gets as standard. The numbers will say that the 911 is the victor, but it simply can't compete with the theater of the charming LC as an everyday GT.

The RC F is a more hardcore performance car than the LC 500, trading in some of the latter's beauty for brash features like a large rear wing and upgrades like a carbon fiber hood for the available Track Edition. With the RC F's V8 engine generating similar power but tasked with carrying less weight, the RC F is faster off the line and feels a bit more agile, with a standard limited-slip rear differential which is optional on the LC 500. After all, this is a coupe that has the BMW M4 in its sights. The RC F has an impeccably built interior, but the LC 500 has an even more beautifully designed layout. Both are saddled with infotainment systems that remain tricky to use on the move. Overall, we prefer the more sophisticated LC 500 - it feels like Lexus operating in its sweet spot, whereas the RC F tries harder to chase competitors that have more experience in making high-performance sports coupes. That said, the nearly $30,000 price difference between the base RC F and LC 500 can't be ignored.