When you think of a luxury touring car, most of the time a sumptuous, tech-laden sedan comes to mind these days. However, not everyone needs or wants that experience. Fortunately, Lexus has those folks covered with the 2025 Lexus LC 500 Convertible.
Most luxury tourers are four-door sedans, but not so with the 2025 Lexus LC 500 Convertible.
Although Lexus claims the open-air version of the LC 500 — there’s a coupe as well — will seat four people, there is no chance you’ll put any living thing larger than a midsize dog in the backseat. Ok. Maybe some grandkids. But it’s a two-person vehicle, and that space comes in handy for a second set of golf clubs or extra bags.
The LC 500 Convertible’s design is simple and classic without looking underdone or uninspired. Unsurprisingly, it’s a sleek, low-slung coupe that looks like a performer, but a confident, elegant one. Not every sports car needs to be a snarling beast – although those are great too.
Our test vehicle came in a new color for 2025: Iridium, which is a darker silver … think silver with a bit of patina. And the roof comes in red, which is also new as an individual choice for this year. Blue is the other option and they come as part of brand’s new Bespoke Build program.
The LC 500 Convertible Bespoke Build package continues to offer a unique interior badge and included certificate of authenticity printed on Japanese washi paper and signed and stamped by LC Chief Engineer Yasushi Muto. It also adds $5,500 to the price of the car.
Let’s ride
The LC 500 Convertible’s design is simple and classic without looking underdone or uninspired.
The convertible comes with one option under the hood, and it’s a good one: a 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are included. As all good tourers do, it comes in rear-wheel drive and comes with an “active sport exhaust.”
This means that when you start it up, you get a hint of what’s to come. When you put your foot into the go-pedal there is a sexy and satisfying roar that comes right before liftoff. You can almost feel the car rear up like you see in cartoons before you sling forward.
It also features an adaptive variable suspension, plus a few drive modes. I spent much of my week in “Comfort,” but there is also “Sport” and “Sport+” offering substantially different ride and handling metrics. The adaptive suspension is specially programmed for the convertible, which has different needs than the hardtop coupe. It adjusts in the blink of an eye to road conditions, providing 650 distinct levels of damping force, Lexus asserts.
What I can tell you is that it goes where you point it, regardless of settings. If you want to simply go for a Sunday cruise with the top down, it’s a top-flight experience. However, if you want to find some twisties to put it through its paces, the exhaust note and overall tightness are impressive.
The convertible comes with one option under the hood, and it’s a good one: a 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Let’s sit
Once you slide inside the cabin, you feel enveloped, but not restricted. Even with the roof up, you don’t feel like you’re riding inside a small box. The semi-aniline leather seats — ours were Rioja Red — are heated and ventilated and offer plenty of seating positions. Additionally, there are three seat settings so anyone who drives can simply get in, press a button and be comfortable.
After you get in and pick your seating position, the next question is: Top up or down. The switches needed to do that are right in the leather-wrapped center console, sitting under a little flip up cover, which is kinda cool.
It takes just 15 seconds to lower the roof and 16 seconds to raise it — both can be done at a speed of up to 31 mph (I can affirm 12 mph). Like many convertibles with power roofs, you must keep your finger on the switch until you hear the beep. That said, not only does it lower the roof, it lowers the windows too. However, you must roll up the windows separately when closing the roof.
From either of the two seating positions, the view outside the vehicle is good, except for the rear which is a little tough when the roof is up. Nothing crazy, but just know that you’ll want to really use your rearview and side mirrors to confirm what’s going on behind you.
Let’s be comfortable
As all good tourers do, it comes in rear-wheel drive and comes with an “active sport exhaust.”
Although it’s a small space, the LC 500 Convertible comes equipped with plenty of technology. Once inside, the 12.3-inch touchscreen is tough to miss. As is the case in other Lexus vehicles, the screen is the hub for all your infotainment needs. It’s also easy to reach, as is the push-button starter.
Regardless of the weather trending hot or cool, the LC 500 Convertible is designed with an HVAC system that adjusts the temperature whether the top is raised or lowered. The Lexus Climate Concierge with Upper Body Heating automatically manages the air conditioner, seat heaters, neck heaters and steering-wheel heater to help ensure the cabin is comfortable.
And while you’re in the LC 500 Convertible, there is a surprising lack of wind noise — top up or down. The engineering team uses a mix of Active Noise Control and sound insulation to keep the outside noise to a minimum while the top is up.
However, when it’s down, the wind deflector right behind the front seats (another reason why humans won’t sit in the back seat), makes it possible to take a hands-free call while driving on surface streets and not feel like you’re shouting at the person next to you. On the freeway, you can do it, but you’re going to need to … project.
It’s also nice to be able to hear the impressive Mark Levenson Audio System, which offers concert hall-like quality.
Once inside, the 12.3-inch touchscreen is tough to miss. As is the case in other Lexus vehicles, the screen is the hub for all your infotainment needs.
Let’s be safe
On the not-so-sexy side, it’s still a Lexus, which means it comes with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5. It’s a suite of advanced technology that helps you be a safer driver on the road. Included are Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, and Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking.
Additionally, there is All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Road Sign Assist, plus the usual safety equipment like ABS, scores of airbags, and more to ensure you, your passenger and those around you are completely safe.
And updates to those systems come automatically courtesy of over-the-air updates from Lexus through its Connected Services.
Users can interact with the system through intuitive touch and voice activation controls. With an active Drive Connect three-year trial, drivers and passengers have access to Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation and Destination Assist.
While you’re in the LC 500 Convertible, there is a surprising lack of wind noise — top up or down.
With Intelligent Assistant, simple phrases like “Hey Lexus” awaken the system for voice-activated commands to search for directions, find Points of Interest, adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperatures and more.
Let’s wrap it up
I don’t drive many convertibles during an average year. None have made me want to put the top down every time I get behind the wheel — except the LC 500 Convertible. Between the performance, the comfort and the just enough cargo space for a single man, it’s a fabulous experience.
Of course, it’s a Lexus, which means the window sticker is going to feature a big number and it’s not the 18 mpg combined fuel economy rating from the EPA. The LC 500 Convertible starts at $107,625. When you add the Bespoke Build, package, select the red roof and the other goodies, our test model came in at $117,055. I love driving it, but I’m sure glad I’m not paying for it.
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