Auto Design Critic Robert Cumberford Critiques Lexus LC 500 Design

Based on feedback from the survey, readers are looking for more reviews about more cars -- in that spirit, I'm going to start collecting reviews into single threads.

This EVO one is great, though it's weird to read about NVH being an issue. This was the same criticisms about the LS, is this a British thing? :D

krew

Based on feedback from the survey, readers are looking for more reviews about more cars -- in that spirit, I'm going to start collecting reviews into single threads”

Yay!

I get so tired of reviewers wanting to redesign every little detail. Just comment on what it is, not what it isn’t and take the time to learn how things work before pushing buttons. Other than that, it was a good read none the less.

John Strange

I get so tired of reviewers wanting to redesign every little detail. Just comment on what it is, not what it isn’t and take the time to learn how things work before pushing buttons. Other than that, it was a good read none the less.

Absolutely!!! I thought I was the only one who realised the nitpicking in reviews of every Lexus model. Reviewers always look for a downfall in Lexus vehicles to blame their reason for not liking it. Have you seen the brief Consumer Report review of the LS? When Lexus builds a full sized sedan that is fast, beautiful, luxurious with GT driving dynamics they go on a rampage about the infotainment calling it a "deal breaker" and saying the LSs' tech is "half baked." I guarantee half the review is gonna be on the touch pad- not explaining how to use it but complaining how much they don't like it.

I would really like to see some more in-depth review of the 500h. Ok nobody really wants it, but Lexus China has just launched the LC and the only option is the V6 hybrid. Of course I want the V8, but it's not like it's practical in China. The media praises the 500 all the time, and didn't really bothered discussing more about the hybrid.

Oh, and the 500h starts at RMB 1.3M (USD 200k, okay I know it sucks), which is a steal considering for the same price one can only get a BMW 640/E400 Coupe. The price is a no-brainer for somebody shopping for a luxury GT.

SteVVT-i

I guarantee half the review is gonna be on the touch pad- not explaining how to use it but complaining how much they don't like it.

I have to agree. It seems like a requirement for every review to go on ad naseum about the Lexus controllers.

Top Gear Review: The 2018 Lexus LC 500

Compared favorably to the LFA and original LS 400.

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ssun30

I would really like to see some more in-depth review of the 500h.

The Belgian press at the European dynamic press launch event was more positive on the hybrid version than on the V8. They critisized the V8 of trying to be too sporty for a GT, being a bit too heavy and having too much understeer in fast and short corners. They felt that the V6 hybrid was more adapted to the mission of the LC as being a luxury GT. On top of that, they very much appreciated the fact that the hybrid has more torque at low revs than the V8.

But I'm afraid that it has no real added value if I would post a copy of a press article in Flemish here in this topic ;)

GSCT

I have to agree. It seems like a requirement for every review to go on ad naseum about the Lexus controllers.

I know. Frustrating sometimes.
But this specific Top Gear article is very honest on that specific item, to my surprise: "This is one of those things you have to take time to get used to. I’m not saying it’ll ever be brilliant, but after a few days you do get used to it." Ollie Marriage is one of the only journalists who aknowledges that the system itself is not really bad, it just takes time to get used to. Most of these journalists just drive the car for a few days not taking enough time getting used to the system. Apart from encoding a destination address while driving (which, by the way, is dangerous) the system works rather well... if you know how to use it.

Joe

I know. Frustrating sometimes.
But this specific Top Gear article is very honest on that specific item, to my surprise: "This is one of those things you have to take time to get used to. I’m not saying it’ll ever be brilliant, but after a few days you do get used to it." Ollie Marriage is one of the only journalists who aknowledges that the system itself is not really bad, it just takes time to get used to. Most of these journalists just drive the car for a few days not taking enough time getting used to the system. Apart from encoding a destination address while driving (which, by the way, is dangerous) the system works rather well... if you know how to use it.

I have been using the mouse pad in my RCF for over a month (until the car went into hibernation) and I have no issue with it. It takes some getting used to, but the haptic feedback really helps. Also, I never use the MMI while driving so it is not an issue as to whether you can drive simultaneously with the mouse pad.

Photo Gallery: The Lexus LC 500 in Latvia

Some perfect fall colors with a splash of Infrared.

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Lexus LC: 2018 Motor Trend Car of the Year Finalist

A design that's impossible to ignore

We Like: Bold exterior, gorgeous interior, and the car’s overall audacity
We Don’t Like: Bizarre hybrid powertrain strategy, pathetic infotainment system

If Car of the Year were awarded solely on the basis of design, the Lexus LC would drive off with this year’s Golden Calipers. “The design has a lightness and proportion that is nicely gestured and blends with some beautiful surfaces, ” Tom Gale said. Added Chris Theodore: “The Lexus LC 500 is a startling sight on the road, with great proportions and a sleek profile.” However, many questioned the goofy grille, Insane Clown Posse headlights, and bizarrely shaped A-pillar.
View attachment 2652
Design however, encompasses both the outside and the inside, and the LC 500’s gorgeous interior is about as good as cars get. Said Frank Markus: “I find the finished product striking and engaging—especially on the inside.” As a group, we were smitten by the blue and orange interior trim with white leather seats on the LC 500h. This interior excellence falls apart when it comes to the infotainment system, though. “Congratulations, Lexus, you built the world’s worst user interface,” Christian Seabaugh said.

Although we all loved the potent naturally aspirated thrills from the brawny 5.0-liter V-8, we decided to take the futuristic hybrid version along as a finalist. Probably a mistake. “Peculiar powertrain strategy in this car,” Frank Markus noted. “I fail to see the payoff of this incredibly complex hybrid. It doesn’t feel anywhere near as fast as the V-8, yet the real-world fuel economy doesn’t seem that impressive either.” Did we mention that the hybrid costs almost $5,000 more than the V-8?

For being nominated for Car of the Year, doesn't seem like the Motor Trend crew really care for the LC. Seems like a backhanded compliment.

This is the second review that's complaining about 500h fuel efficiency. Are they crazy or they just stomp it all the time? My guess they didn't even drive it. My only contact with 500h got one of the very first deliveries in Germany and he gets 8-9l/100km in city normal driving conditions. There is no way in hell V8 gets anything less than 15l/100km in city driving. There could be some different gearing between EU and US hybrid specs but still.

The LC is really doing a great job in reviews. And I agree, one hell of a good looking car inside and out. I also do agree the infotainment had me scratching my head

On this episode of Head 2 Head presented by Tire Rack, Jethro Bovingdon and Jonny Lieberman head to Spain to sample two of the finest grand touring cars in existence, the new Aston DB11 and the big LC from Lexus. Back during 2017’s Best Driver’s Car competition, the Lexus shocked the MOTOR TREND staff as a credible driver’s car. The Aston? Not so much, with the V12-powered DB11 garnering a last-place vote. However, this time out, the DB11 is packing an AMG-built twin-turbo V8, 253 fewer pounds, and a reworked suspension. Will the sharp-looking Japanese luxury cruiser deliver more GT thrills than the handsome Brit at half the price? Watch and find out!

so basically Lexus is better, but Aston wins because.

cool.

Motor Trend Video: The Lexus LC 500 vs Aston Martin DB11

Lexus loses, because?

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I was kinda pissed, because they called the Lexus "a mess" design wise without putting much thought into it as their Ignition video. No attention to the quality of the cabin, nor the fact that they were hooning the car around the track with two big guys in it. It's been a total of six months seen Jason Cammisa left Motor Trend, which explains the lack of chemistry between Jethro and Jonny, and the confusion on these reviews. They even said explicitly that these cars aren't built for the track. So why decide the answer alone on brand perception and the fact that it has more power than the Lexus? Then again there's the infotainment....

krew

Lexus loses, because?

Because its cheaper? Its still 90-95% of what the Aston is, for $100k less. I can go buy some other wonderful things with the difference there, unless the MT audience is some rich sheikhs in the UAE trying to one-up each other (The comments seem clearly not).

These guys from motor trend are at least irrelevant,
for the only thing they cares is the German performance engines without reliability.

The Aston Martin has a cheap looking interior with bin parts from Mercedes.

Had this Aston Martin be compared with Mercedes S Coupe, it would have lost. I would not care if Lexus lost, but the Aston is simply less good looking, and with turbos, not that good sounding.

LC is a better car ,but because it is a Lexus not a long history, blah blah blah european car company. That's it.

I didn't write this in my post, but all I see are two guys that have been automotive journalists for too long and forgotten what life is like outside of their free-car bubble.

Writing off $100k like it's nothing is disgraceful, especially when the only reason was to avoid giving the win to a Lexus.

krew

I didn't write this in my post, but all I see are two guys that have been automotive journalists for too long and forgotten what life is like outside of their free-car bubble.

Writing off $100k like it's nothing is disgraceful, especially when the only reason was to avoid giving the win to a Lexus.

And yet when the Alpine A110 is objectively a better sport scar than the 718 Cayman, price is all of a sudden a concern (should there be a comparison made between the two cars I mentioned). All of sudden Alfa reliability is concern compared to Range Rover,...etc.


Car magazines are a business, just as any other for-profit business. Non-car people buy cars according to mainstream consumer reports and do not follow car stuff closely. Car magazine appeal to car people, that need to some external entity to support and confirm their belief. To earn their money, car magazines will look to appeal to the mass. Nothing special really. The best review is the one a person makes himself. Nothing wrong with sharing honestly biased opinions however.

Im not even mad because i see everyone even on YT comments agree this review is a joke. Johnny hates anything Toyota/Lexus end of story. It doesnt matter what Lexus builds, he will always cry in denial. He was the only one who didn't like the way the LFA drove and he's the only one who thinks Lexus "missed the mark" on styling with this car. He wint mention the contraversal design elements of the DB11 tho.

It's easy for MT to only include selective facts to support their designated winner. Wasn't price the biggest derogatory of the LFA? The LS500 laughably just lost to the G90 because of price. But in this compsrison because the LC is half the price of its competitor, price doesnt matter lmao.

Anyways, It all makes sense now. Lexus wasn't trying to rewrite history with the LS500. But what Lexus did to Mercedes in 1989 is what they are doing to Aston Martin today with the LC500 relaunching the Lexus brand.

Aston built a better DB11 but Lexus built the better GT coupe- for HALF the price with much better reliability and resale. Thats the entire picture MT doesn't want to paint.

MT takes wins away from the LS and LC on some really odd rational within a week.... lol

I thought MT was cozy with Toyota.

If you guys remember 3 years ago, MT did a huge article with Toyota. One of those editors now works for Toyota, and MT's EIC is buddies with the Toyota PR guy not to mention he grew up in Toyotas. I guess Lexus is different. Bearded Jonny L came from Autoblog (no surprise), and most of these guys grew up with European cars, so there's that.

I have followed Jethro since his days with EVO UK and Drive Republic. He had lavish praises for the LFA always. I have had mad respect for him as an objective reviewer alongside Chris Harris. Jonny, is quite the opposite who wants to blurt controversial comments to generate hype. One of the worst reviewers, in my opinion.

However, Jethro saying "big zero" to everything else Lexus did other than LFA and LS400 is a very unfair comment. I drive an RCF and it never stops blowing me away with the depth and breadth of its capabilities. It is an incredibly fun car to drive, listening to the howling V8 engine and to toss around. It puzzles me even more as to why such Lexus not get the credit they deserve.

May bad. This review is totally nuts. I did not notice the DB11 was v8 and not v12. In this case, the DB11, that is IMO the worst looking Aston Martin (A pillar, fender and front bumper, long overhang with dropping nose, so so rear), with a not as good sounding V8 because of turbocharger, and Mercedes bin parts interior, simply cannot win. This Aston Martin V8 has only one thing better than the LC: the transaxle. But this was not even used as an argument, because very few know its benefit.

Jonny L's IG has some comments. LOL, they keep asking why Jason Cammisa isn't coming back to the show.