- Lexus reportedly confirmed 2026 as the LC 500’s final model year.
- LC 500 coupe and convertible production ends August 2026.
- The LC debuted in 2018 as Lexus’ halo grand touring coupe.
Lexus has quietly confirmed what many enthusiasts have long suspected: the LC 500 is heading toward retirement. According to an official dealer letter dated January 23, 2026, the 2026 model year will be the final one for both the LC 500 coupe and LC 500 Convertible in the States, with production expected to wrap up at the end of August.
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That means the clock is officially ticking on one of the most distinctive grand tourers of the modern era. It’s a sad time for one of the last naturally aspirated V8 luxury coupes still on sale.
2026 Lexus LC 500
That said, it’s been an impressive run since the car debuted in 2018. Originally showcased as the LF-LC concept in 2012, the LC ended up being the first car to use a version of Lexus’s GA-L platform.
A derivative of that platform is what still underpins the LS and other Lexus performance sedans. More importantly than just a showcase for new underpinnings, the LC proved that Lexus could still build an impressive, if sometimes overly indulgent, grand tourer. In 2021, Lexus expanded the lineup with a convertible version.
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Despite critical acclaim and unmistakable styling, the LC remained a low-volume halo car. Lexus says total LC sales eclipsed 15,000 units globally as of December 2025. In the US, sales dwindled down to 1,464 units last year, including 18 hybrids. That’s respectable for a flagship coupe, but never enough to justify indefinite production in today’s market.
Credit: A Reddit User
The future remains bright for Lexus. As we saw late last year, the brand has a new all-electric LFA on the way. While we don’t have a production start date, knowing that it’s coming is better than just hoping something might materialize down the line.
Read: These Future Supercars From Toyota And Lexus Share DNA But Not A Soul
Who knows? Maybe Lexus will find a way to incorporate Toyota’s new GR GT into its own part of the family as well. That would certainly feel like a true successor to the LC500 in more ways than one. But with the electric LFA already moving ahead, that seems increasingly unlikely. Which means the LC may very well end up holding its place in the books as Lexus’s last V8-powered coupe, and that’s a damn shame.
If you want one, there’s still time. The 2026 LC 500 is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 with 471 horsepower, good for a 0 to 60 time of 4.4 seconds in the coupe and 4.6 seconds in the convertible. Pricing starts at $101,700 for the coupe and $109,200 for the drop-top, climbing to just over $120,000 for the limited-run Inspiration Series models.
While there’s no reason to believe the letter above isn’t genuine, we’ve reached out to Toyota and Lexus for comment. We’ll update you here when we hear back.
