The current sports car market is as saturated as ever, and it takes a lot to stand out these days. With a sector dominated by German manufacturers focused on performance stats, it’s a difficult market to be in.
So what happens if you want something a bit different? What else is out there? Well, one of the best-kept secrets for sports cars (in my opinion) lies outside of Europe or the US. It’s in Japan, an automotive powerhouse known mostly for unbeatable reliability and technology. Here you’ll find Lexus, the performance division of Toyota.
Lexus has a quiet but well-deserved reputation for build quality, interior comfort, and styling. For several reasons though, it’s never the first automotive name you think of, especially with sports cars. I think that reputation is unfair, and if you’re after a sports car in 2023 that is a little different, Lexus should be near the top of your list.
So what are the most expensive Lexus Sports Cars in 2023?
The Most Expensive Lexus Sports Cars
In this article we’ll go through the five most expensive sports cars you can currently buy from Lexus. We’ll talk through their good and bad points, and I share my thoughts. If you’ve never heard of Lexus this will be a great introduction to the brand, and if you’re a hardcore Lexus fan I hope this helps if you’re looking for your next car.
5. Lexus RC – $43,970
The Lexus RC is the first car on our list, and the entry model in the Lexus sports car lineup. You can buy a Lexus RC with either a 2.0L, four-cylinder engine, or a 3.5L V6. The V6 is the one to go for if you’re looking for raw power and the sound to go with it, but the 2L option is still a great choice.
With either configuration, you get plenty of technology, both standard and optional, along with a surprisingly luxurious interior. This won’t surprise Lexus owners, as the company has always been known for its high-quality interiors, but it’s still a great feature in a sports car under $50,000.
The best part about the RC, in my opinion, is the styling and its presence. The RC is a beautiful car from almost any angle, and although it’s outshone by a few of the other cars on this list, it will still turn some heads.
The Lexus RC isn’t perfect, and the biggest issue is unfortunately an important one; the driving experience. The drive is ok, but it doesn’t come close to its German rivals, so if you’re looking for a sports car that will offer you the thrill of driving above all else, the RC won’t be top of your list
| The Good | The Bad |
| Fantastic Looks | Driving Experience Is Lacking |
| Great Interior |
4. Lexus RC F – $67,370 / £71,120 / €93,400
If you’re a fan of the RC design, but want more than ‘just’ a V6 engine, then I’m happy to introduce the RC F as the next car on our list. This is basically a Lexus RC on steroids; it has a 5.0L V8 engine putting out 472 horsepower, and a 0-60 time of just over 4 seconds.
Performance aside, the Lexus RC F is similar to its more relaxed sibling in plenty of ways. The exterior design has some new performance parts, including an active rear wing, but the styling is almost identical overall. The interior of the RC F hasn’t changed much either; there are some color accents on the steering wheel and console, but it’s going to be a familiar place to RC owners.
It will be no surprise that the engine is the best part of the RC F. In the modern age of hybrid powertrains, the V8 is slowly dying, so we need to savor these engines while we still can. Performance wise you can get more power out of a German straight six, but the V8 noise is something you can’t replace.
The downsides of the Lexus RC F are the same as the RC though. Despite the power, the driving experience can’t compete with an M4, so owners have to decide if the V8 sound and the interior quality are worth that sacrifice. For me, even as a massive fan of the M4, I’m almost tempted…
| The Good | The Bad |
| That V8 Noise | Driving Experience Can’t Compete With Rivals |
| Interior Quality and Tech Are Excellent |
3. Lexus LC 500 – $94,300 / £88,920 / €111,800
In third place we are leaving the RC behind, and in its place, we have the Lexus LC 500. Before we talk about any stats or figures, let’s acknowledge something; this is one of the best-looking cars on sale right now, at any price. The RC is a good-looking car, but this will turn heads wherever you go. I’d be happy to end the review right there, but let’s carry on.
Now that’s out the way, what are the stat’s behind this piece of automotive art? Performance wise the LC 500 has the same V8 as the RC F, with a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds. Against rivals like the Porsche 911, the Lexus simply doesn’t have the performance to compete, but the LC 500 isn’t designed to be a race track car. That doesn’t mean the LC 500 is boring to drive though; handling is surprisingly capable, and it makes this feel like a true sports car.
Aside from the looks, the LC 500 excels in a few other areas. As expected, the interior quality is impressive, although I prefer the layout in the RC models. Another area where the LC 500 stands clear from its rivals is in reliability. At a price point of around $100,000, you are at the top end of sportscar territory, and with these types of vehicles, there are often plenty of reliability issues. With the full weight of Toyota and their famous reliability standards, you’re in safe hands when it comes to every Lexus, including the LC 500. It’s not the most important factor in a $100k sports car, but it’s good to know all the same.
| The Good | The Bad |
| One Of The Best Looking Cars Available | More Comfortable On The Road Than The Track |
| Reliability Is Excellent | Power And 0-60 Time Could Be Better |
2. Lexus LC 500 Hybrid – $100,300 / £88,920 / €111,800
Moving up from the base LC 500, we reach our number two spot, the hybrid LC 500. Parked up, there is almost no difference between this hybrid version and the V8, with a few badge changes the only real clues. Start the car and it’s a different story, with the 5.0L V8 replaced by the 3.5L V6 hybrid system.
There’s a lot to say about this engine option, and it’s tough to find a clear winner between the hybrid and the V8. For practical everyday use, the hybrid LC 500 should be the clear choice, although fuel economy isn’t as high as I would expect – even so, it’s far better than the thirsty V8. In that regard, if you’re looking for a GT-focused sports car, this powertrain is exactly what you need.
For driving entertainment, you lose over 100 bhp compared to the V8, so the hybrid LC 500 is certainly down on performance. You miss out on the V8 soundtrack too, which for a number of you will be a deal breaker. Having said that, the BMW i8 has become a cult classic with a hybrid system, so there is a market for this car.
We’ve already covered the interior and exterior styling when we spoke about the base LC 500 earlier, and all those features and high-quality materials exist here too. In general, I think it’s up to you which version of the LC 500 would be more suitable. For my money, I’d find it hard to ignore the V8, especially with the premium cost of the hybrid model.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Same Great Looks As The Standard LC 500 | Not As Fun As The Base Version |
| Practical Alternative To The V8 |
1. Lexus LC 500 Convertible – $102,350 / £99,845 / €126,550
Rounding off our list is the convertible version of the LC 500. Compared to the previous versions we’ve already covered, this model is only available with the V8 engine, so no hybrid options. Even with a V8, this is the LC version that feels least like a true sports car, which is often the case with convertible options. That’s where the negatives end though because this is the definitive version of the LC 500.
We’ve mentioned this on every vehicle, but this is a stunningly beautiful car, and I think it’s made better by the soft-top. The coupe version might look sleeker, but there is something about this model that turns heads more than any other Lexus. Put the top down, and you get the benefit of hearing that V8 in all its glory, an added bonus for any petrolhead.
As I’ve said, the LC500 convertible isn’t going to impress you with performance and handling when you line it up against rivals, but its not designed for that. Sure, you’ll get overtaken by a few convertible 911s, but who looks twice at one of those these days? There’s a reason people desire used Aston Martins, and it’s not for the performance; it’s because you’ll be noticed. If you want that feeling and the comfort of class-leading reliability, the LC 500 convertible is for you.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Somehow More Beautiful Than The Coupe | Rivals Have The Performance Edge |
| Keeps The V8 |
Summary
There we are – the five more expensive Lexus sports cars, and in a rare situation, I’d be more than happy owning almost all the cars on this list. Both the RC and LC versions here are not perfect vehicles by any stretch, but they stand for something different in today’s market. Up against a wave of German performance from the likes of BMW, Audi, and Porsche, I think you find something different here; character.
Lexus has never been about the performance alone, and even their LFA supercar is more fondly remembered for its design and soundtrack. With an LC 500 you’re getting a similar experience, an increasingly rare opportunity to own a V8, in an incredibly beautiful machine. And for some of you that is far more important than a record lap time at the Nurburgring.
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