Toyota’s Sister Brand Just Killed Off One of Its Best Cars Ever

Welp, it was only a matter of time, but it was also inevitable. The Lexus LC 500 is officially dead after the 2026 model year.

Our friends at Motor1 received exclusive confirmation about the model’s discontinuation. And that includes both the coupe and it droptop variant. Lexus ended the hybrid model last year.

Although it is a sad moment, it doesn’t come as a surprise. Despite looking like a car from the future and adapted for the road, the LC 500 is seven years old at this point — which is also a testament to its timeless design.

Lexus

For any series production lifecycle metric, that’s about as old as they get. And additionally, LC 500 sales weren’t exactly stellar. But that’s not because it was a bad car by any means. Quite the opposite actually.

A legend in the making

Lexus

When Lexus revealed the LC back in 2017, it shocked the world with its futuristic sheetmetal. But more so, the LC was nothing short of a stunner.

That’s because it was one of the few examples in automotive history where its design almost identically resembled its original concept, the LF-LC from 2012.

Lexus

Automakers are known to water down their concept cars to adapt them for legal road use. Whether it’s to meet federal safety regulation, or constrictions due to engineering platform limitations, or even fuel economy compliance.

Most production vehicles are often a far cry from their original concepts. With the Lexus LC 500, however, the automaker seemingly adapted the concept for the road.

Lexus

And it only got exponentially better when the wheels got rolling. At launch, the LC 500 debuted with Toyota’s 5.0-liter 2UR-GSE, or the same high-revving and sensational naturally-aspirated V8 from the original IS F.

That V8 is the same one found in the RC F, GS F and even today’s IS 500 F Sport Performance. Coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission that seemed to shift faster than light, and the experience was nothing short of amazing.

Lexus

Lexus later launched a gas-electric hybrid version. It featured a performance-tuned version of its iconic hybrid drive, featuring a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6. But compared to the 500’s 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, the LC 500h only produced a total system output of 354 hp and 369 lb-ft.

However, with an exceptionally balanced experience between performance and comfort, a quiet on-road demeanor, and on-demand sports car, many likened the LC 500 to being a Japanese Aston Martin.

The saga of Lexus’s luxury performance coupe ain’t over

Lexus

Although the LC 500 is dead, the story of a high-performance luxury sports coupe isn’t. Lexus recently revealed its successor to the outrageous LF-A, alongside Toyota’s version, the GR GT.

It may not be a direct successor to the LC 500. But it still shows that Lexus is adamant about performance and keeping a halo car around.

Lexus

Because the LF-A Concept is gearing up to succeed the original LF-A — which was an ultra-low-production, very exclusive high-performance supercar — that leaves room in the lineup for a LC 500 successor. In comparison, the LC 500 has a starting price just over $100,00, while the LF-A required over $375,000 smackaroos, and only 500 were made.

Lexus

The LC 500 may have not been a stellar seller. But most impractical sports cars aren’t sold at high volumes. Rather, they speak more for the brand’s image and equitable value, which act as sources of inspiration to draw prospective buyers.

And that was a major part of the LC 500’s mission. Nevertheless, we’ll be missing and hope Lexus will follow up with a similar act. The LC 500’s end is currently just for the North American market, but it’s only a matter of time until it finally drives off into the sunset for all.

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