Lexus SC (01-09) - Review

Review by David Ross on 20 March 2009

Lexus is better known for luxury and refinement rather than keen handling sports cars. That's evident in the SC. It may be a two-seater convertible but it's more at home cruising along rather than being hustled down twisting roads. On paper it seems a good proposition with a 280bhp V8 engine and a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds, but in everyday driving it feels cumbersome, not helped by the ponderous automatic gearbox. That said, there's not denying the superb build quality, plus Lexus reliability comes as standard. It's also very well equipped while the metal-folding roof folds away neatly and is more secure a fabric hood. However, it feels dated alongside it's main alternatives and is expensive to run.

2.5 out of 5

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4 out of 5

Equipment

The SC line-up is simple as there's just one model. It comes very well equipped - although it's what you'd expect given the considerable list price. Standard kit includes full leather interior, wood and leather steering wheel, electrically operated and heated driver and passenger seats, electrically adjustable steering column, electric folding mirrors, cruise control, a Mark Levinson stereo system with a six-disc CD changer, touch screen sat nav (improved in 2004 with Bluetooth), xenon headlights, rain sensitive wipers, stability control, 18-inch alloy wheels and climate control. In 2006 the SC also got adaptive front lights where the headlamps automatically turn in line with the steering wheel, giving better illumination in corners or at junctions.

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