I’ve driven the Lexus LC Convertible – why it’s the best car that nobody buys

THIS is the Lexus LC500 Convertible and you’ve probably never seen one before.

That’s because despite it being one of the best open-tops currently on sale in Britain, Lexus only managed to sell 64 of them last year.

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And that was a good year – in 2020 it only sold 47. These figures include the hard-top LC too, so it doesn’t look good for this Convertible.

Admittedly there are a few things holding it back; unlike the hard-top LC the LC Convertible doesn’t come with a hybrid engine, just a thumping great 5.0-litre V8.

It’s also the thick end of £100,000.

Now, that sounds a lot, and it is a lot. But a Porsche 911 Cabriolet is just as expensive and sells by the bucket load and a Mercedes-AMG SL costs more while offering much the same thing.

And while looks are subjective, few could deny the LC is an incredible piece of design – perhaps even better without a roof.

It’s a rare thing: a car that looks very much like the wacky concept it was based on, shown off at motor shows around the globe.

It also has a fantastic Jekyll and Hyde personality. When you want to relax, you can tone down its driving modes and it’ll waft you around in comfort.

But when you want to have fun, while a 911 is better, the LC’s sportier driving modes turn up the V8 soundtrack and prime the throttle and automatic gearbox.

As part of a recent facelift, Lexus revised the LC’s gearbox, lightened the whole car by 10kg, sharpened its steering and introduced a Sport+ pack which adds rear-wheel steering too.

It certainly feels more alert and agile than before, but agile isn’t really what the LC is about.

It’s more about opening the roof, enjoying the very high-quality interior and brilliantly comfortable seats.

Bad bits? Well, the LC does shudder slightly over particularly bad road surfaces and Lexus’ last-generation infotainment system still fitted to here feels like it should be an arrestable offence – it’s that hard to use.

But these are minor drawbacks to what is a superb car, so what why doesn’t anybody want one?

Its badge. Sadly, Lexus just isn’t seen as sexy to enough people.

It makes some of the finest interiors around, has one of the best customer service and reliability records in the UK and the LC turns heads on a high street like few other cars on sale.

It seems that isn’t enough, but if you’re reading this and you’re in the market for car like this, the Lexus LC Convertible has to be on your list.

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