Lexus Discontinues LC Hybrid Following Only 8 Sales Last Year

      Lexus

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      No matter how you look at it, the Lexus LC 500 stands out as one of the finest cars globally. Since its launch in 2018, I've had the pleasure of driving several, and with each experience in the V8 model, my admiration grew. However, the hybrid V6? Not interested.

      Others seem to share my sentiment, as a representative from Lexus revealed to The Drive that only eight units were sold last year. This could be a factor in its discontinuation.

      Last week, when Lexus unveiled the 2026 updates for the LC 500, they notably left out the hybrid V6 model from their press materials and specifications. A Lexus representative confirmed to The Drive that only the V8 model will be available in the U.S. next year. The hybrid will still be offered in other markets, but not in the U.S.

      The minimal sales likely provided Lexus management all the justification needed to retire the model. Typically, I would feel a sense of loss for a stylish coupe leaving our market, but in this case, not at all. Farewell and good riddance.

      Lexus

      Occurrences like this are rare, where we keep the good vehicle while bidding farewell to the lesser one. Imagine if a car manufacturer discontinued automatic transmissions and retained manual ones instead!

      The 3.5-liter V6 hybrid was slow, cumbersome, and unpleasantly noisy, whereas the 5.0-liter V8 model has been seen as a future collectible since its introduction. Sometimes, great cars are overlooked, leading to their discontinuation, but in this instance, justice has prevailed.

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