Lexus has built an impressive legacy of V8-powered models, but that era is ending, and soon. Today, the automaker offers just one nameplate powered by a V8, the LC coupe and convertible, and all signs point to it disappearing later this year.Lexus While Lexus hasn’t officially confirmed the LC’s demise, the evidence is mounting. A dealer bulletin that surfaced earlier this year highlighted that the 2026 model year will be the last, with production slated to end in August. If that timeline holds, buyers have just a few months left to order one of the most beautiful coupes and convertibles of the modern era.Pricing and market details were accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Among The Last Of Its Kind Lexus The Lexus LC traces its origins back to the LF-LC concept first shown at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The design proved a hit and was almost immediately green lit for production. But what was more impressive still was that Lexus, instead of watering down the show car's lines, was able to bring to market an almost identical production version. The LC debuted at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show and would go on sale the following year as a 2018 model in the US. Key Facts To Know The Lexus LC first went on sale for the 2018 model year A V6 hybrid was offered as an alternative to the V8 A high-performance LC F was planned at one point The car was offered initially with the choice of a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid setup in an LC 500h grade, making about 354 hp, alongside the headline act, a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 in the LC 500 grade, good for 471 hp. At a time when Lexus was pushing hybrid tech across its lineup, the dual approach was unexpected. The hybrid was smooth and efficient but ultimately muted next to the V8’s sharper response and signature soundtrack, with demand fading enough for it to be phased out after the 2025 model year.Behind the wheel, the LC impresses with how composed and refined it feels on the road, helped by its GA-L platform, which was designed to be stiff and deliver a low center of gravity. The steering is precise without being too jumpy like in more exotic cars, and the chassis has a planted, confident feel that makes it effortless to cover long distances at speed.The interior only reinforces that character, with its comfortable seats, beautifully stitched leather, solid metal switchgear, and a design that looks handcrafted rather than mass-produced. While the LC features 2+2 seating, the rear seats are very small and more suited for carrying goods than people.Despite the strengths, the LC never broke through. In a market increasingly dominated by SUVs, its niche was always narrow, and updates were minimal over its lifespan, though Lexus at one point was close to launching a hardcore LC F version. Another limiting factor was continual price creep, from an initial MSRP of $92,000 for the 2018 LC 500 to today's $103,400. Through the end of 2025, US sales for the LC have totaled just over 15,000 units. In comparison, the Porsche 911 sold around 13,500 units in the US in 2025 alone. Goodbye To One Of The Great V8 Engines, Too LexusSadly for V8 fans, it’s not just the LC that’s nearing the end of the line. AutoNotion has learned that production of the car’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8, known to enthusiasts by its 2UR-GSE engine code, is also scheduled to wrap up in August. Its departure will mark the loss of yet another naturally aspirated performance engine, a breed that’s rapidly disappearing as automakers pivot to turbocharging and electrification.The engine itself predates the LC by a full decade. Lexus first introduced the 2UR-GSE in the 2008 IS F, giving the compact sports sedan a smooth, high-revving V8 that immediately set it apart from its German rivals. The engine would later power the RC F and GS F before finding a home in the LC. More recently, it also appeared in the IS 500 F Sport Performance, sold from the 2022 through 2025 model years.Toyota Part of what makes the 2UR-GSE so special is the way it delivers its performance. Developed with input from Yamaha, the 5.0-liter mill combines razor-sharp throttle response with a willingness to rev past 7,000 rpm (redlines at 7,300 rpm), something you don't get with many modern turbocharged V8s. What's also unlike today’s turbocharged engines that deliver their power in a thick midrange surge, the 2UR-GSE builds speed progressively, rewarding drivers who keep their foot planted all the way to the redline.Then there's the sound, which no turbocharged V8 can match. Engineers spent years fine-tuning the intake and exhaust acoustics to give the 2UR-GSE a distinctive growl at low rpm and a hard-edged howl near redline. And despite its high-strung character, the engine still managed to earn a reputation for remarkable reliability. Like many Toyota and Lexus powerplants, the 2UR-GSE has proven capable of handling years of hard use with minimal drama, helping cement its status as one of the great modern naturally aspirated performance engines. The Best Deal Might Be Pre-Owned Lexus At the time of writing, order books for the 2026 LC remain open. However, buyers willing to go the used route can find some compelling deals, and Lexus’ reputation for reliability should help ease concerns for anyone considering an example outside the four-year/50,000-mile factory warranty. In fact, CarComplaints currently lists zero reported complaints for the LC across any model year.Mind you, the market has largely caught on to just how special the LC is, and many examples still trade surprisingly close to their original MSRP. A look through the CarBuzz Marketplace shows the average price for a 2018 LC sitting at roughly $69,000, with values actually trending upward. Impressively, many of the listed cars still show fewer than 50,000 miles on the odometer, meaning there should be plenty of trouble-free motoring left ahead. Cheaper examples do exist, though they typically come with significantly higher mileage.Convertible models are rarer still and command a hefty premium as a result. Finding an LC Convertible listed for under $85,000 is increasingly difficult, while the hybrid LC 500h is even less common on the used market. Unless maximizing fuel economy is your top priority, though, the V8-powered LC 500 remains the one to have. Goodbye LC, Goodbye Lexus V8s Ian Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet In an era increasingly dominated by turbochargers, screens, and synthetic driving experiences, the LC with its naturally aspirated V8 engine feels unapologetically old-school in all the right ways. Combined with its stunning design, handcrafted feel, and low volumes, the car is shaping up to be one that enthusiasts will regret not appreciating sooner.When the LC finally bows out, it will also mark the end of the V8 era for Lexus. The brand has already previewed the direction of its its next performance flagship with the fully electric LFA Concept, signaling a clear shift toward electrification at the top end.However, parent company Toyota isn’t walking away from V8 engines just yet. Like several major manufacturers, it's doubling down on the engine type, having invested in a new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that debuted late last year in the GR GT supercar. That same twin-turbo V8 was widely believed to be earmarked for the canceled LC F, but as it turned out, it wasn't meant to be.
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