I have been lucky to review a lot of Lexus vehicles over the years, but the LC 500 has always occupied a special place in the lineup and in my heart. It is not built to chase volume, trends, or spreadsheets. It exists because Lexus wanted to prove it could build something emotional, beautiful, and unapologetically indulgent.
For 2026, that mission continues with the LC 500 Inspiration Series convertible that I am reviewing, a limited-production model that leans even harder into style, craftsmanship, and presence. Although not official, I am seeing signs that the LC 500 may be ending its run in the U.S. It looks like sales for 2025 will be around 1,300 or so, an extremely low number by luxury car standards. I’ve also heard of no plans for a redesign of the iconic speedster.
Performance
If you are looking for major mechanical changes under the beautiful hood this year, you will not find them—and that is perfectly fine with me. Lexus got the fundamentals right years ago and has wisely resisted the temptation to “fix” what was never broken. The naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 remains the heart and soul of the LC 500, and it is one of the last engines of its kind in the luxury segment. In a world racing toward turbochargers, hybrids, and EVs, this engine feels almost rebellious. It delivers 471-horses, 398 pound-feet of torque, and it tops out at 168 miles per hour. Nice stats for a luxury convertible! In case you are wondering, the LC is no longer offered in a hybrid version.
Exterior
The 2026 Inspiration Series is primarily about presentation, and Lexus has executed it beautifully. The exterior color is called Wind, which to me is a light gray hue that is so popular these days, and the convertible top is a darker gray.
The chiseled lines pop out at you, and the 21” forged alloy wheels look absolutely stunning. A large spoiler finishes out the back view with dual exhaust that have an exceptional sound to them.
Inside, the cabin continues to feel like a handcrafted luxury item rather than a mass-produced automobile. Lexus materials are exceptional, from the leather quality to the stitching to the trim pieces that would be overkill in almost any other car. The Inspiration Series adds unique interior accents and color themes that elevate the sense of occasion every time you open the door. This is not a car you simply get into—it is one you experience. The use of contrasting colors is stunning in Saddle Tan & White. The tan color flows from one side of the car to the other, from the dash into the door panels, the center console, and even the seat belts match.
The LC 500 remains a grand tourer at heart. It is happiest cruising at speed, soaking up miles, and turning every errand into an event. The ride is composed and comfortable, yet the car never feels disconnected from the road. Steering is precise, the chassis feels balanced, and the rear-wheel-drive layout gives the LC a natural, confident feel through corners. It is not trying to be a razor-sharp track car, and Lexus has never pretended otherwise. This is a car designed to make you smile, not shave tenths off a lap time, but I will say this: If a Corvette rides too rough or is hard to get in and out of for you, the LC 500 offers a lot of the same feel. There, I said it and fully expect a rash of crap about it, but so be it.
Technology is handled thoughtfully. The 12.3” infotainment system has improved over the years, and while it may not overwhelm you with color, flashy screens and gimmicks, everything works as it should, although it feels a little subdued. The Mark Levinson audio system remains one of the best in the business, delivering concert-level sound quality that matches the LC’s upscale character.
As you sit behind the power tilt and heated steering wheel with controls, you see a highly configurable gauge cluster that is colorful and changes with each drive mode. A push of a button on the steering wheel makes the center speedometer slide to the right to reveal a totally different look, and I will say this feature is pretty darned cool. There are a couple of oddly placed round knobs to the left and right of the dash up high that operate the traction control and drive modes, and of course, my favorite is sport plus mode. However, you can also choose Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Custom modes, allowing the driver to tailor throttle response, transmission behavior, steering feel, and suspension settings to suit driving conditions and personal preference.
The center console houses the shifter, the auto hold button, a palm rest opens up to raise and lower the top and roll up and down all the windows with just the touch of a button. There is a single cup holder, a huge volume button for the sound system, and shortcuts for the camera, and one to activate the heated and cooled seats.
The LC does have a back seat, but to be honest, it’s worthless for humans, but a good place for briefcases, purses, and puppies. Lexus makes it easy to access the area with electric sliding front seats.
For a convertible, the cargo area is pretty impressive size-wise, and this is a car you can travel in. Since it is a cloth top instead of a hard top, cargo area is the same whether the top is up or down. It features a fully power-operated fabric roof that opens or closes in approximately 15 seconds at speeds up to about 30 mph, with a multi-link mechanism designed to preserve the car’s sleek profile and minimize wind and road noise when raised. It also has a power-operated rear wind screen that raises or lowers at the touch of a button to significantly reduce cabin turbulence during top-down driving without compromising rear visibility.
On the safety front, you get the Lexus Safety System+ suite with pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with full-speed range, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, backup camera, traction and stability control, tire-pressure monitoring system, and a full complement of airbags.
The Inspiration Series runs $10,950 and for that you get a limited-production exclusive exterior color, unique interior color scheme with special leather and contrast stitching, 21-inch forged alloy wheels with a dark or satin finish unique to the package, carbon-fiber–reinforced unique exterior trim accents, Inspiration Series badging, color-matched Alcantara and leather interior trim, and bespoke design details not available on standard LC 500 models, all bundled as a numbered, limited-run appearance and exclusivity package. Only 350 will be made in the convertible series.
Verdict
One of the things I respect most about the LC 500 is that Lexus knows exactly who this car is for. It is not aimed at buyers chasing the latest trend or the most aggressive performance numbers. It is for people who value design, craftsmanship, and the feel of a great engine working in harmony with a well-sorted chassis. The Inspiration Series takes that philosophy and turns it up just a notch, offering exclusivity without sacrificing what makes the LC special in the first place. You can literally feel the build quality in this car, fit and finish is superior.
Fuel economy is rated at 15 in town, 25 on the highway, and 18 overall. MSRP on this beauty as you see it $120,379.
This is a car you buy with your heart, and Lexus has made sure it gives you plenty of reasons to do exactly that.