Lexus LC500 VS Mercedes-Benz E53
Lexus LC500
Likes
- Punchy engine
- Throaty exhaust
- Climate-controlled cabin
Dislikes
- Disconnect from the drive experience
- Lexus trackpad tech persists
- Thirsty
Mercedes-Benz E53
Likes
- Alluring styling
- Surprising practicality
- Stellar engine
Dislikes
- Hard door-bin plastics
- Front doors are too long
- Steering could be better
Summary
Lexus LC500
Being a true Jack of all trades in the car world is rare.
Generally speaking, a vehicle is either capable or comfortable. Attractive or aerodynamic. Practical or performance orientated. And problems arise when cars try to do all those things well, all at the same time.
Which make the Lexus LC 500 Convertible such an interesting proposition. Because it is, without doubt, stylish, and lavishly equipped. It’s also rather large and rather heavy. All of which is perfect for cruising the Bondi foreshore.
But it’s also equipped with a thumping V8 engine and a throaty exhaust that sounds like bricks in a blender on the overrun. It’s stiffer than the LFA supercar, and plenty powerful, which should deliver one of Lexus’ sportiest-ever drives.
So can the LC 500 really do it all? Let’s find out.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 5.0L |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 12.7L/100km |
| Seating | 4 seats |
Mercedes-Benz E53
The E53 range broke new ground for Mercedes-AMG when it debuted in 2018. Not only was it the E-Class large car’s new ‘entry-level’ performance option, but it was also Affalterbach’s first model to combine an inline six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system.
Needless to say, the E53 was an intriguing prospect at the time, and now it’s come back into frame following a midlife facelift, which doesn’t appear to mess with what turned out to be a rather successful formula.
And with an E63 S flagship performance option still not available in the two-door E-Class line-up, the E53 is as good as it gets. But as you’ll find out when you read this review of its Coupe body-style, that is actually really great news. Happy reading.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 3.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Hybrid with Premium Unleaded |
| Fuel Efficiency | 9.3L/100km |
| Seating | 4 seats |
Verdict
Lexus LC5008/10
Stunning to behold, and even more so to listen to, the LC 500 Convertible with no doubt turn as many heads as its owners surely want it to. It's not the final word in performance, but it's a lavishly equipped transporter none the less.
Mercedes-Benz E538.3/10
As it turns out, the automotive world really doesn’t need an E63 S Coupe, because the E53 Coupe really does give you all you’ll ever need.
Simply put, the E53 Coupe’s balance of performance and luxury is bang on, while an E63 S Coupe would arguably prioritise one too much over the other.
Indeed, if you’re interested in a ‘relatively affordable’ grand-tourer that can get up and go when required, you could do a lot worse than the E53 Coupe.
Design
Lexus LC5009/10
It’s eye-catching, the LC 500, if big, bolshy convertibles are your thing, and especially viewed front-on, where the aggressive nose design ends in a sharp crease in the mesh grille. I love the headlight design, too, which bleeds back into the body work, but also merges with the vertical light cluster that bookends the grille.
The side view is all shining alloys and sharp body creases, too, leading to an oversized boot that stores the fabric, aluminium and magnesium roof structure, which drops or raises in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h. The design fits into what Lexus calls an “impossibly small space behind the seats”.
Inside, it’s a snug but luxurious space, wrapped largely in leather and equipped with a wealth of technology. It’s a point we’ve made before, but why Lexus perseveres with its trackpad infotainment control technology is beyond us, but there’s no denying the cabin of the LC 500 is a wondrous place to spend time.
We particularly like the integration of the centre screen, which is recessed beneath the leather-wrapped edge of the dash. While some look like an afterthought, this appears to have been included in the broader design philosophy.
Mercedes-Benz E539/10
The E53 Coupe already had an alluring exterior design, but in facelifted form, it looks even better.
The big changes are up front, where the E53 Coupe now has Mercedes-AMG’s signature Panamericana grille insert, with the multi-louvre aesthetic previously the reserve of its ‘63’ models.
In fact, the entire fascia has been redesigned, with the grille flipped upside down, while the Multibeam LED headlights are flatter and therefore angrier. Naturally, the bonnet and bumper have been tweaked to match, with the former featuring strong powerdomes.
Around the swoopy sides, a sporty set of black 20-inch alloy wheels is new, matching the window trim, while the only differences at the rear are the fresh graphics of the LED tail-lights.
Yep, the E53 Coupe still has a subtle bootlid spoiler and a prominent diffuser insert, which integrates the quad round tailpipes of its sports exhaust system.
Inside, the midlife facelift really makes itself known with its new flat-bottomed steering wheel with capacitive buttons and haptic feedback. This set-up is… fiddly, with presses often confused for swipes, so it's not exactly a step in the right direction.
And that’s particularly annoying because these controls are used for the carryover 12.3-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which are now powered by Mercedes’ MBUX multimedia system, which bundles in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
While now familiar, this set-up remains the benchmark in nearly all regards and is therefore a brilliant upgrade for the E53 Coupe, thanks to its speed and breadth of functionality and input methods, including always-on voice control and a touchpad.
Materials-wise, Nappa leather upholstery covers the seats and steering wheel as well as the armrests and door inserts, while Artico leatherette trims the upper dashboard and door shoulders.
Conversely, hard, shiny plastics adorn the lower door panels. Given that ‘cow hide’ and other soft-touch materials are used on most other surfaces, it’s unusual that Mercedes-AMG didn’t go the whole way.
Elsewhere, open-pore wood trim features prominently, while metallic accents brighten things up alongside the sporty stainless-steel pedals and smile-inducing ambient lighting.
Practicality
Lexus LC5007/10
It’s not, really. But then, what were you expecting?
As mentioned above, the interior feels snug for upfront riders, but not in a bad way. More that elements of the interior feel like they’re reaching out to greet you, leaving you with the impression of being tucked into the cabin.
Backseat riders are out of luck, though, with the seats really only reserved for emergencies. Legroom is tight, and while Lexus promises the roofline is about on-par with the Coupe, it’s not going to be a comfortable journey.
The LC 500 Convertible stretches 4770mm in length, 1920mm in width and 1350mm in height, and it rides on a 2870mm wheelbase. It will sit four at a pinch, and provide 149 litres of luggage space.
There are two ISOFIX attachment points in each of the rear seats, as well as top-tether points.
Mercedes-Benz E538/10
Measuring 4835mm long (with a 2873mm wheelbase), 1860mm wide and 1430mm tall, the E53 Coupe is a genuinely large car, which is great news for practicality.
The boot has a pleasing cargo capacity of 425L, but it can be increased to an undisclosed volume by stowing the 40/20/40 split-fold rear bench via the handy manual release latches.
It’s worth noting that while the aperture is wide, it’s not tall, which could be a problem for bulkier items alongside the tall load lip, although two tie-down points are on hand for securing loose items.
However, what really impresses is the amount of space inside. While the front sports seats are comfortable, the two rear passengers are in for the bigger treat, with room plentiful, mercifully ending the argument of who gets stuck in the uncomfortable second row.
Behind our 184cm driving position, there’s two inches of legroom as well as an inch of headroom, although toe-room is almost non-existent.
Being a four-seater, the E53 Coupe divides its rear occupants with a tray that contains two cupholders, while they also have access to two side cubbies and a small central cubby with two USB-C ports. This cubby is positioned between the air vents at the rear of the centre console.
And yes, even child seats can be fitted, with two ISOFIX and two top-tether anchorage points available should they be required. In fact, the long front doors make this task less challenging, although those big doors do become problematic in tight carparks.
All of that’s not to say occupants in the first row aren’t treated well, because they are, with the centre console’s cubby featuring two cupholders, a wireless smartphone charger, a USB-C port and a 12V power outlet.
Other storage options include the decently sized central bin, which contains another two USB-C ports, while the glovebox is also of a decent size, and then there’s the overhead sunglasses holder.
Price and features
Lexus LC5008/10
It costs $214,000 - and that’s rather a lot of money - but unlike some premium and luxury cars, with Lexus, once you’ve handed over the cash, that’s it. There’s no tempting option list to lure you into parting with even more of your hard earned.
And I mean that literally - Lexus proudly proclaims that “there is no option list” for the LC 500 Convertible, so suffice it to say it arrives with plenty of gear.
Take a deep breath…
You get 21-inch two tone alloys, triple-stack LED headlights, keyless entry, retractable door handles and rain-sensing wipers outside, while inside, you’ll find dual-zone climate, leather-accented seats which are heated and ventilated, neck-level heating for when the roof is down, a heated steering wheel and sports pedals.
The tech stuff is handled by a 10.3-inch centre screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and on-board navigation, both of which are controlled via Lexus’ impossible-to-kill touchpad. There’s a second, 8.0-inch screen for the driver, and the lot pairs with an impressive 13-speaker Mark Levinson stereo.
There’s also a heap of safety stuff, but we’ll come back to that in a moment.
If that’s not enough for you, you can spring for the Limited Edition, which is $234,000 for each of its 10 available examples. It arrives in a unique Structural Blue hue, with a white leather interior with blue highlights. It is designed to be the most blue of blues, too, with Lexus saying the paint colour was the result of a 15-year research project. Which sounds like a thrilling way to spend a decade and a half.
Mercedes-Benz E538/10
Priced from $164,800 plus on-road costs, the facelifted E53 Coupe is actually a staggering $14,465 more affordable than its predecessor.
But if you’re not a fan of its body-style, the $162,300 E53 sedan (-$11,135) and $173,400 E53 Cabriolet (-$14,835) are also available.
Either way, standard equipment not already mentioned includes metallic paintwork, dusk-sensing lights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors with heating, keyless entry, rear privacy glass and a power-operated bootlid.
Inside, push-button start, a panoramic sunroof, satellite navigation with live traffic, digital radio, a 590W Burmester surround-sound system with 13 speakers, an augmented reality (AR) head-up display, a power-adjustable steering column, power-adjustable front seats with heating, dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview-mirror feature.
Direct rivals for the E53 Coupe are non-existent, with the closest being the smaller – and therefore much more affordable – BMW M440i Coupe ($118,900) and Audi S5 Coupe ($106,500). Yep, it’s a unique offering on the market, this Merc.
Under the bonnet
Lexus LC5009/10
It’s a lusty power plant, this one, and not something you immediately expect to find in a luxurious Lexus convertible.
The 5.0-litre V8 produces 351kW and 540Nm - 260kW of which arrives from 2000rpm - and it sounds like a God of Thunder as it’s doing it.
It pairs with a 10-speed automatic and sends all that grunt to the rear tyres, with Lexus’ Active Cornering Assist and a mechanical limited-slip differential helping you to not make a mess of things when tackling corners.
Mercedes-Benz E539/10
The E53 Coupe is powered by a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine that produces a hearty 320kW of power at 6100rpm and 520Nm of torque from 1800-5800rpm.
The unit in question has one traditional turbocharger and an electric-powered compressor (EPC), which is available at engine speeds up to 3000rpm and can spool up to 70,000rpm in just 0.3 seconds for instantaneous punch.
But that’s not all, because the E53 Coupe also has a 48V mild-hybrid system called EQ Boost. As its name suggests, it has an integrated starter-generator (ISG) that can provide up to 16kW and 250Nm of temporary electric boost.
Mated to a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with redesigned paddle-shifters, and Mercedes-AMG’s fully variable 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, the E53 Coupe sprints from a standstill to 100km/h in a handy 4.4 seconds.
Efficiency
Lexus LC5007/10
Remember when I said it was lusty V8? When has that ever been good news for fuel use?
Lexus reckons you’ll get 12.7L/100km on the combined cycle, but the temptation of all that grunt will pretty much ensure that never happens. Emissions are pegged at 290g/km of C02.
The LC 500 Convertible’s 82-litre fuel tank only accepts 98RON fuel.
Mercedes-Benz E537/10
The E53 Coupe’s fuel consumption on the combined-cycle test (ADR 81/02) is 9.3L/100km, while its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are 211g/km.
Given the performance on offer, both claims are pretty good. And they’re made possible by the E53 Coupe’s 48V EQ Boost mild-hybrid system, which has coasting and extended idle-stop functionality.
That said, in our real-world testing, we averaged a more realistic 12.2L/100km over 146km of driving, although the launch test route only involved high-speed country roads, so expect a higher result in metropolitan areas.
For reference, the E53 Coupe has a 66L fuel tank, and it will only drink more expensive 98RON premium petrol.
Driving
Lexus LC5007/10
It’s a tough nut to immediately crack, the LC 500 Convertible.
It feels like it really wants to be a super-accomplished performance car, and on longer, more sweeping bends it is, with that thick flow of power ensuring you simply surf through corners before rocketing out the other side, the air filled with that growling exhaust note as your right foot finds its way to the carpet.
But on the tighter stuff, there are some factors that play against it. The suspension feels sorted and that engine is always willing to deliver, but for mine, the steering and brakes felt a little disconnected from the experience, not inspiring much in the way of late-braking confidence. And then there’s the sheer two-tonne-plus weight of the thing, which can’t be totally hidden, even by Lexus’ best wizardry.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s very capable, even on surprisingly tight stuff. It’s just that there’s something of a disconnect between car and driver.
That’s not a bad thing, really. Are you really buying a premium convertible to attack a mountain pass? Probably not. And keep it flowing through corners and the LC 500 Convertible will keep a smile painted on your face, owing mostly to wave of torque you can ride to your destination.
Hovering your foot over the accelerator must surely be what the President feels like whenever he stands near the nuclear football, with that big V8 always ready to turn on the fireworks.
Away from the red mist, you’ll find the LC 500 Convertible positively flows from destination to destination, the 10-speed gearbox - which can feel flustered at pace - seamlessly flicking through its options, and the ride in its most comfortable settings disposing of most road imperfections before they enter the cabin.
The cabin is also very cleverly insulated, not just when the four-part roof is up, but also when it’s down, with the climate and ambience of the interior largely unaffected by what’s going on in the outside world.
Mercedes-Benz E538/10
If an E53 Coupe was your daily driver, you’d be very happy, because its balance of comfort and performance is just about as good as it gets.
Stick the boot in and the engine responds with a level of enthusiasm that only electrification can provide. Not only does the ISG provide timely thrust, but the EPC helps the E53 Coupe reach its maximum torque, although it has to work harder for peak power.
That said, despite the addition of the EQ Boost system and the EPC, the E53 Coupe still feels like a proper Mercedes-AMG model, staying true to the high-performance mantra while offering a different approach.
Critically, all the drama is there, as it charges towards the horizon with intent as the transmission swaps gears smoothly, providing relatively quick shifts and revving on the down changes when required. It all adds up to a properly exciting drive.
However, it’s the E53 Coupe’s sports exhaust system that’s likely to command all the attention with its crackles, pops and overall booming soundtrack in the Sport mode. It can also be manually engaged in any mode by pressing a button in the centre console.
And given the E53 Coupe’s 4Matic+ system is fully variable, it offers plenty of grip when briskly accelerating and enjoying the soundtrack, but its rear end can still step out briefly when cornering hard.
Speaking of handling, the E53 Coupe goes around corners surprisingly well, defying its large dimensions and considerable 2021kg kerb weight by exhibiting strong body control.
Coming into bends, the E53 Coupe can also lean on its sports brakes, which pull up with absolute confidence.
And when you’re guiding the E53 Coupe through the twisty stuff, the electric power steering comes to the fore, with its speed-sensitivity and variable ratio.
The steering set-up is somewhat disappointing at times, however, with the feedback not quite up to the level of a proper performance car.
That said, it is quite direct and feels meaty in hand – two traits that are necessary for success – with this heft increased in the Sport drive mode. Comfort is where it’s at, though, if you ask me.
That said, the E53 Coupe’s suspension uses air springs and adaptive dampers to make it a comfortable cruiser.
Sure, this set-up’s tune does prove to be a little firm on lower-quality country roads, with most bumps and lumps felt by occupants, but on well-maintained highways and city roads, it’s got suitable levels of smoothness.
In keeping with this luxurious feel, the E53 Coupe’s Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels are pretty damn good, with tyre roar and wind whistle easily missed while enjoying its aforementioned Burmester sound system.
Safety
Lexus LC5009/10
The Lexus LC 500 Convertible arrives with six airbags, a reversing camera with guide lines, parking sensors, and the usual suite of traction and braking aids, but there’s much more to the safety story, too.
The more high-tech stuff includes parking sensors, pre-collision assist with AEB, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and active cruise, as well as bespoke convertible safety gear, like active roll bars that deploy when the car is in danger of rolling over, protecting the occupants beneath that soft roof.
Mercedes-Benz E539/10
ANCAP awarded the fifth-generation E-Class sedan and Estate its maximum five-star rating in 2016, although it doesn’t apply to the E53 Coupe, due to its differing body-style.
That said, advanced driver-assist systems still extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and steering assist (including emergency), adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, traffic-sign recognition, driver-attention alert, high-beam assist, active blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, tyre-pressure monitoring, park assist, surround-view cameras and front and rear parking sensors.
Other standard safety equipment includes nine airbags, anti-skid brakes and the usual electronic traction and stability-control systems.
Ownership
Lexus LC5008/10
Lexus vehicles are covered by a four-year, 100,000 kilometre warranty, and the LC 500 Convertible requires servicing every 15,000kms.
Lexus's Encore ownership program includes pick-up and drop-off servicing, but the new Encore Platinum level for owners of its more exclusive models unlocks even more stuff.
One is a new On Demand service, which allows owners to book a different style of car when heading off on a holiday or business trip. The loans are available in your state or somewhere else in Australia if you're travelling, with your car waiting for you at Qantas Valet for you when you arrive.
The On Demand service is available on four occasions over your first three years of ownership (which is also the length of the Encore Platinum membership).
Mercedes-Benz E538/10
Like all Mercedes-AMG models, the E53 Coupe comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is currently the benchmark in the premium market. It also comes with five years of roadside assistance.
Better yet, the E53 Coupe’s service intervals are rather long, at every year or 25,000km – whichever comes first.
It’s also available with a five-year/125,000km capped-price-servicing plan, but it costs an expensive $5100 in total, or an average of $1020 per visit, with the E53 Coupe’s fifth trip charging $1700 alone. Ouch.