If you want a brand-new rear-wheel-drive performance car with a naturally aspirated V8, where are you going? Perhaps you’re looking at C8 Corvettes, configuring Mustangs, or popping down to the local Stellantis dealer to scoop up a leftover 2023 Dodge Charger or Challenger. However, none of those brands truly offer the widest variety of naturally aspirated, rear-wheel-drive, V8 performance cars. Guess what? Right now, the brand that does is Lexus.
Keep in mind, we’re talking about individual models, not just different trims within the same model range. The Ford Mustang GT and Mustang Dark Horse are still both Mustangs, and all Corvette variants are Corvettes. However, Lexus currently sells three distinct rear-wheel-drive V8 cars with completely different bodies, which is more than Dodge sold prior to discontinuing the old Charger and Challenger. Who’d have thought?
We’re talking three different flavors using the same engine, all with their own certain appeal. One of them’s even been updated for 2025, so let’s start this model run-down there.
This thought started when a press release for the 2025 LC 500 came across my desk, charting the changes for a new model year. There’s a new shade of silver on offer, the coupe gets floor braces, the cabriolet offers a red or blue roof for extra cost on Bespoke Build models, and the hybrid is still around. However, crucially, the LC 500 still features a naturally aspirated five-liter V8 pumping out 471 horsepower and some of the most delectable sounds ever to come out of Japan.
Other updates for 2025 include a bit of extra Alcantara, and well, that’s it. It’s hard to improve on perfection, and now that the LC 500 has ditched the trackpad-based infotainment system of old, it’s a perfect car. A gorgeous grand tourer that makes similar offerings from BMW look dull and competition from Mercedes-Benz feel a bit cheap. It’s emotive, surprisingly agile for something so big, and because it’s a Lexus with a proven engine, likely to be incredibly reliable.
However, if you’re in love with the 2UR-GSE V8 engine but on a slightly more modest budget, you don’t have to pay the $100,425 Lexus commands for an LC 500 coupe. That’s because a little something called the IS 500 F Sport Performance exists, and I found out earlier this year that it is magnificent. It might just be the perfect fast new sedan for the road if you live in an area with subpar tarmac, 472 horsepower of pure V8 character. Sure, the eight-speed automatic in it isn’t as sharp as the ten-speed in the LC 500, but when you’re really on it, it’s plenty good enough. However, the real surprise is the talkative steering. If you find a BMW M340i a bit boring in everyday traffic, give one of these a whirl.
While a 2025 IS 500 F Sport Performance hasn’t officially been announced yet, an official-looking document leaked on Reddit last month claiming that not only will the fire-breathing V8 IS 500 continue for 2025, you’ll also be able to get it in yellow. Even with its immense thirst, I’d adore a yellow IS 500 F Sport Performance, because it’s an extraordinarily memorable car in one of my favorite colors. Yeah, I have a good feeling about this thing living on for at least another model year.
The future for the RC F is less certain, but since examples are still kicking around showrooms and we’re still in the 2024 model year, this track-ready V8 Lexus is ready to play ball. This slightly hefty performance coupe has been around for nearly a decade, combining Lexus’ five-liter V8 with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a torque vectoring differential, and a bunch of heat exchangers to keep everything cool.
How much longer will Lexus continue making naturally aspirated V8 monsters for? It’s hard to say. The RC F has been on sale for nearly a decade, the current generation of IS sedan dates back to the 2014 model year, and even the LC 500 started deliveries in 2017, seven years ago. However, for now, some of the most visceral performance luxury cars on the market come from a brand that was once frequently accused of being a bit boring.
(Photo credits: Lexus)
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I miss the GS
The big complaint I’ve always heard about Lexus, the reason more people don’t own them, which I kind of agree with… is that they’re ugly, and this is entirely the fault of the “predator” grille.
The LC500 is the only exception to this, and even then, that is in spite of the predator grille, it’s just so pretty everywhere else that the minor blemish of an ugly grille shape does not negate how beautiful the rest of it is. And it really is a pretty car, I’ve stared for minutes on end the few times I’ve seen them in person, they are stunning. Beautiful interiors too, and I usually hate modern interior styling, but the LC500 looks like a genuinely nice place to spend time.
Honestly, I do think Lexus needs to abandon the huge ugly corporate grille trend and make something that more closely resembles a muscle car. Muscle car fans feel shocked and betrayed by GM and Stellantis right now and many are still skeptical of Ford quality, so if Lexus would only realize there’s a perfect audience they’re not marketing to, they could make a killing in sales by advertising V8 Lexuses as Japanese muscle cars.
Plus, if they put an actually pretty grille on the LC500, it would go from being merely a beautiful car to being absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. Like, fall to your knees and shed tears of joy gorgeous.
I bought a 2017 LS460 a couple of years ago and was really surprised by the engine. It has a nice snarl that begs you to keep your foot in it as much as possible. I did not expect that from a large Toyota. For a toy though, I’m a hardcore 3-pedal guy so it’s a Cadillac 5BW which I love. But the craftsmanship and quality of materials simply don’t hold a candle to the Lexus.
Regular CT5 and CT4 are not built well. For the build quality of Lexus, YOU NEED TO PAY the Lexus Tax..and not many can afford that.
But the BWs have a LOT of effort but behind them…but the use of cheap materials may be more than the Lexus LC.
This is not difficult as Dodge makes two cars.
The removal of the trackpad is a wash at best. While the new infotainment system is easier to control, it’s buggy and incredibly reliant on an internet connection. Don’t forget your PIN.
The IS and RC are still using the old infotainment though, which means wired Carplay/Android Auto
The removal of the joystick was the biggest mistake Lexus has made. The trackpad’s a pain in the ass because despite telling people not to touch the damn thing they lay their hands all over it, lay their keys on it, lay their sunglasses on it, lay their phones on it… Constantly having to tell people it’s not an armrest after they suddenly initiate a call or disable the GPS navigation or something.
Corvettes and these are in different classes. Also, the CT5- BW is what the IS 500 competes with (the CT5-BW also would become a collector car at some point).
Each time I pop into the Lexus dealer, I drool at the LC500 and IS500 F-Sport. While I dream of trading in my GX for an IS500, I just simply can’t afford it. That LC….so beautiful.
Saw a green with tan interior one today, I can cash in a bunch of tfsa investments and hope I don’t live to 90. Gawd those cars are beautiful.
And the best part is that Toyota actually makes good cars 😛
These are THE ONLY good ones they actually make…aside from commuter vehicles. The Tacoma and Tundra have had rampant issues and engine recalls….NOT a good quality sign. Do NOT start with (“Toyota will make it right”). These engines in these Lexus will likely NOT cost 25k+ out of warranty….
You kinda forgot the 30+ years of reliable Toyota history. Theirs a reason you still see so many old Toyotas.
I have not forgotten. But the point is, they break like any other car, although the older ones break less. And now, 30 years from now, I will DOUBT that I will see these 3rd gen Tundras and LC300s rolling in large numbers like LCs from the 80s and 90s….(aside from maybe the 1GR engine…)…
Their older engines were built much more tougher, at the cost of power. The engines in these Lexus are a good example. A good example is the 2UZ, which is MORE DURABLE than the 3UR…
Another example is the 6.0L L96 HD engine used in GMC and Chevrolet Trucks.Those were ALSO BUILT with toughness and durability RIGHT out of the factory (aside from the transmission of course….). But then again, the Tundra was never rated to tow heavy loads…many of which also can strain its transmission….the people that tell they have towed 18k+ lbs must be prepared for the heavy cost they have to pay…
Unfortunately, not many people in the used market can afford these Lexus…and I believe the values of these will rise as they get older.
The CT5 BW which is a competitor may be lower quality, but has a good engine …and being a collector car it too will be priced similarly to these Lexus cars…
The German competition will drop in value horribly. That is why many German cars are found to be cheaper than Cadillac and Lexus on the used market….
Check out Michael Hooper and his fleet of Lexi rally cars – multiple IS350 and IS250 cars that do really well in 2WD classes – in fact 1st in class and 7th overall plus fastest 2WD car at the recent Overmountain Rally Tennessee national event.
For the price Dodge is asking for one of the higher end Chargers, I’d just assume get an IS instead. Where the Dodge has Lexus beat is in the paint options.
though one would have to wonder how long that will last when the V8 tundra’s are gone now.
I seriously considered an IS500 before buying my 300C. I’m just tall and portly enough that the IS500 is difficult to climb into, something about the door shape and seat location just makes it difficult.
That said, it’s still on my short list if I ever crash or otherwise lose my car. V8s forever!
I didn’t even realize the LC existed until about a month ago I saw a used yellow one sitting at my local Toyota dealer. Next time I was able I swung and couldn’t believe it when the sticker listed a V-8! Why don’t these get more press and why do I have to see 5 articles of Tesla a day and nothing about these types of cars?
Because they are so old they aren’t new and topical anymore. Like the article said, they came out 7 to 10 years ago. There was a fair bit of hoopla when they did come out though.
The Cadillac Blackwings are their closest competitor…
I’d love me a Blackwing but it would be twice what I spent!
BWs are expensive..and while somewhat more complicated than the Lexus, I would expect the Cadillac BWs to hold their value relatively well compared to their German competition (even if the resale is NOT as good as Lexus).
That said, 100k for 471 hp N/A V8 is a bargain because Lexus covers all aspects, while Cadillac being the muscle car focuses on Performance. Reliability should be “fairly” close, as the BW likely DOES NOT USE AFM (the electronics might be a different story…..).
The Lexus LC is therefore a good value for money compared to the Cadillac..but is TOO expensive still.
They are pretty sweet in one way, but tend to have a lot of older tech inside and while an awesome V8, it still has some performance numbers that don’t seem to inspire a lot of write-ups. I mean I still want one, but yeah.
You could be talking about the Lexus or any LX platform Dodge/Chrysler you could still buy new at the dealer.
Now, if Toyota would just drop that engine into a RWD Camry (with cloth seats, crank windows and single zone climate control) and sell it for a small premium over the V6, I’d buy two.
Be honest with yourself, you don’t want crank windows.
Single zone climate, maybe
Cloth, yes please
My son’s car has crank windows, and while it’s a “fun” throwback to my first cars, I don’t miss crank windows. Or manual side view mirror adjustments.
At this point, it would probably cost more to produce a variant without power windows than to include them on all models.
My daily driver has single zone climate with a/c and I’d have to agree it’s kinda meh having dual zone. Our van has tri-zone for the rear, and that’s definitely a must have for that type of vehicle.
I’m always going to want leather, but would much rather have cloth over vinyl or whatever fancy marketing term is used for it.
I love all of these so much and unfortunately I think a lot of enthusiasts are realizing Lexus makes some of the best cars on the road much too late. They’ve always carried a bit of an old man stigma and for whatever reason the mainstream automotive press has always hated them. They never win any comparisons and old school car journalists shit their pants in anger over the fact that they don’t drive like BMWs.
I’ve never cared because you don’t drive a stat sheet, and at the end of the day a lot of edgy, sporty cars are pretty miserable to live with day to day (ask me how I know!). Lexuses are NOT. They’re an absolute joy to live with…and unlike the more acclaimed German competitors you can expect them to work as intended after the warranty is up.
That might not matter to everyone, especially the clout chasing bozos who lease a new Mercedes every 3 years…but it sure matters to me. You can legitimately keep a Lexus for the rest of your life if you want, and I think that’s really cool and way more impressive than a car that can hit 60 in 2.5 seconds when you use launch control.
Lexus cares about what actually matters…and this V8 is and its sonorous soundtrack are glorious. While sometimes the “they won’t make them like this for much longer” hullabaloo feels a little dramatic and grating to me, in this case it’s actually true. This engine isn’t going to be in anything after this generation of all these cars.
If you can afford one go get one. Unfortunately all of this comes at a very steep price, and unlike other luxury cars these will not depreciate very much so the usual enthusiast dream of waiting it out for a well loved example isn’t really a thing. But they’re worth every penny and will all probably be collector cars down the road.
“They never win any comparisons and old school car journalists shit their pants in anger over the fact that they don’t drive like BMWs.”
I’ve always found that annoying. The other thing is the vehicle longevity. I get that a journalist probably shouldn’t consider the vehicle’s reliability in comparison tests and such, but as a buyer, I certainly care.
I suppose if you lease, longevity doesn’t matter so long as you don’t end up with a garage queen like some Alfas or the new Hornet.
Right? Like sure, the BMW or Audi S whatever is probably more engaging. But good fucking luck with it once the warranty is up. But a Lexus is just getting started at that point…and to me that’s what makes them worth it as a luxury good.
I, somewhat surprisingly, have an appreciation for luxury goods if they’re well made. I collect watches and I don’t mind paying more money up front for something that will last/good craftsmanship. A lot of times it’s worth it because you can keep that thing forever. To me that’s what a Lexus is, whereas pretty much all other luxury cars are basically the equivalent of a designer t shirt. It looks cool and will impress the normies but at the end of the day it’s a disposable product with a nice logo slapped on.
…although I do appreciate BMWs and Porsches even though I may never own one. That being said some would probably argue that a Porsche fits my description above too, at least when it comes to the actual sports cars.
Those who likely are getting Cadillacs in the used market likely DO NOT have enough money for a used Lexus…. Yes, Cadillac has had some pretty bad engines in the past (and their engines can fail with abuse or neglect ), but then again so did Lexus with early examples of the LS……
I will admit, when I was in Europe a couple years ago we did some light road tripping with an M2 diesel and I really liked that car a lot. Enough that when it was time for me to get a car I seriously considered an i3 (the cost of an M2 didn’t make sense for how little I’d drive it), which would’ve broken my string of only owning Asian make/model cars.
If my situation were different and I needed to drive more often, the M2 likely would’ve been my choice with a good warranty package.
I’ve only owned Toyota, Honda, Acura, Subaru, Nissan, and Kia.
Cadillacs are cheaper in the used market. They may not have the build quality that Lexus has nor the resale…but if maintained well are VERY close in reliability unless abused . The CTS-V, the STS-V and the BWs will also be collector cars.
I forgot to add that Cadillac has the cheapest quality of the lot, but they WILL be easier to maintain compared to the German cars down the road as well.
I was fortunate enough to get to do a Lexus performance event with these 3 cars at Indy last year. If you have the means and one of these fits your needs, just buy it, you won’t regret it. I just don’t have the means, haha.
Same. I think most people who want an LFA will be forced to buy an XLR (not a very good track record due to the Northstar engine…but the problem was reduced in later years…), or will just go for a used Corvette…
The bad reputation of Northstars are what keep resale values low….(even for cars past 06 that did have the issues fixed)……But, that unfortunately is what some people can only afford..
Good example would be a Cruze and a Corolla. The Corolla beats the Cruze in value, efficiency and predicted maintenance costs, but there are STILL people who have the latter, simply because they cannot pay the Toyota Tax….I did forget to add that there are plenty of Cruze cars at high mileage as well without issues (depending on the engine of course..and too many have bad experiences enough that it is slandered…but that helps keep the resale value down..)…