The Evolution Of Lexus Sports Cars, From SC To LFA

Lexus: the Japanese car brand that for decades has rolled out some of the most luxurious, reliable, and value-packed vehicles on the market. Over the years we have seen illustrious SUVs and plush sedans turned out of their factories, but some of their finest exports come in the shape of the sports cars they have produced.

Since their inception as a result of a “secret meeting” with Toyota top brass in 1983, and their subsequent market debut in the U.S.A. in 1990 with the Lexus LS 400, tucked in between their best SUVs, coupes, and luxury sedans, they have given the market some of the best sports cars to ever grace the track and road. From the Lexus SC and the Lexus LC 500 to the Lexus LFA, and everything in between, Lexus sports cars have evolved with the times and continue to give us what we want from the athletic segment.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Lexus’ and other authoritative sources, including Classic.com, Kelley Blue Book, and JD Power.

Lexus SC 300/Lexus SC 400

Model Years: 1992-2000

The Lexus SC 300 and Lexus SC 400 were not the first Lexus models ever created, but they do represent Toyota’s luxury arm’s first foray into the road-going sports car market here in the U.S.A.

The Lexus SC 400 hit the market first with a 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V8 under the hood, which is good for 250 horsepower, while the SC 300 soon followed with a 3.0-liter 2JZ-GE inline-six, good for 225 horsepower. Both models boast a rear-wheel-drive layout, and in what was a sign to come for Lexus sports cars and coupes, both boast a fine balance between luxury and performance thanks to the healthy mills available and relatively plush interior materials.

In what may seem like meek times compared to their modern iterations, both the first MYs of the SC 300 and SC 400 can hit 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and 6.7 seconds, respectively.

In ’97, both models got an engine upgrade in the form of VVT-i, which boosted the SC 400’s power output to 290 horsepower and slightly improved its rest-to-60 times. In what was seen as a rarity for the time, the SC 300 originally came equipped with a five-speed manual box, while the SC 400 had to wait until 1998 to receive it as an option over its standard-fit four-speed auto. So, not only did we get an impressive sports coupe, but we got one with a manual transmission. It was a good first sign that Lexus knew what hands-on drivers wanted.

Lexus SC 430

Model Years: 2001-2010

While the SC 300 and SC 400 kicked off the SC Series, it didn’t take a huge amount of time for their designs to become dated compared to some of the competition they had stirred up. Despite decent early sales, by the late 1990s, Lexus didn’t sell many of either. Not to mention the rise of the SUV in the 1990s.

This is where the Lexus SC 430 comes in, though. Introduced to take the baton from the original Lexus sports cars, the SC 430 comes equipped with a 4.3-liter V8 that can push out 288 horsepower; a clear step up from what the SC 400’s V8 can push out.

The V8 is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, to strike a good balance between everyday comfort and sporty feels, while a retractable aluminum hardtop gave it a more athletic edge and transformed the SC coupe into a convertible. Inside, you still get the quality materials you’d expect in the form of leather upholstery, wood trim, and a premium audio rig, and performance-wise, things have been upped.

The Lexus SC 430 is much more aerodynamic than the previous generation, with a sleeker nose and bodywork; the handling is slightly more agile, thanks to a refined double wishbone front suspension and rear multi-link rear setup, and a lower center of gravity; the cabin is quieter at speed; and the whole build takes what was good about the SC 300 and SC 400, but crucially brought Lexus sports cars into the 21st century.

Lexus IS F

Model Years: 2008-2014

Things again changed for the more aggressive partway through the latter MYs of the SC 430 with the introduction of the Lexus IS F. This high-performance variant of the Lexus IS first hit the market in 2008 with a raucous and arguably less-refined naturally aspirated 2UR-GSE V8 under the hood, but the results were a lot more in-line with what speed demons want. This beast of a mill features a two-stage intake system, is mated to an 8-speed auto box, and can kick an impressive 416 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque.

What is more impressive is that the 3,780-pound IS F can hit 60 MPH in as little as 4.6 seconds, which is a lot of bang for your buck considering that it “only” cost $61,000 when it was released (around $91,500 today). To put that into perspective, a 420-horsepower 2008 Audi RS4 cost upwards of $73,000 (roughly $110,000 today) when it was released.

From the start of the Lexus IS F lineage, high-end performance and snarling looks were the main focus. It comes equipped with Brembo brakes, sport-tuned suspension, a limited-slip differential, quad-stacked exhaust outlets, flared fenders, and a far more aggressive stance than the standard IS lineups.

A 2011 update introduced an upgraded suspension setup, which also brought a bit more refinement to everyday driving and updated tech in the cabin. By the final model year in 2014, Lexus started to offer a very good mix of comfort, plushness, and sportiness in one well-rounded package with the IS F, thanks to the introduction of adaptive suspension tuning, a lot more up-to-date cabin tech, and a bit more interior tweaking to make it look fresher.

Lexus LFA

Model Year: 2012

For many of us, the Lexus LFA is always going to be the ultimate Lexus sports car. In reality, it is a supercar. Only 500 of these beauties were ever made, and today, they are worth an absolute fortune. According to Classic.com, the current average auction price for a Lexus LFA is $894,473.

Originally, the ‘standard’ LFA would have cost you around $350,000, while special editions like the Nürburgring Package would have cost you another $90,000 on top of that. It looks the part with a fighter-jet exterior design that boasts a low-slung stance, long hood, cutting body lines, side air intakes, rear diffusers, and an active rear wing.

For anyone in the know, this ultimate Lexus sports car is instantly recognizable from the front end by its large mesh grille and angular headlights, while everything Lexus added to it also aids in how it performs on the track and road.

While other Lexus sports cars arguably haven’t since lived up to the LFA, its design did mark a shift in how Lexus started to view and build their performance lineups, albeit as an effective one-off.

Under the hood sits a Toyota/Yamaha creation; the 4.8-liter 1LR-GUE V8. This beast can shift out 552 horsepower and redline at a massive 9,000 rpm, allowing you to hit 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and top out at 202 mph. Braking is handled by carbon-ceramic discs with six-piston and four-piston Brembo calipers; it boasts 48:52 weight distribution; and 20-inch BBS forged wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza performance tires sit on each corner.

All of that is fitted as standard. But, it gets better. If you can get your hands on a Nürburgring Package LFA, you’ll also get a higher horsepower output of 562 horsepower and upgraded CFRP components like a larger front spoiler, side fin spoilers, canard fins, and a fixed rear wing. Lexus sports-car-wise, the LFA can be seen as its absolute zenith, but we are looking forward to what Lexus is going to turn out with the LFA’s replacement.

Lexus RC 350

Model Years: 2015-2025

Compared to the almighty LFA, a lot of other Lexus sports cars can be seen as a bit lacking when it comes to performance guts and status, but the marque’s dedication to moving with the times and providing us with both comfort and obtainable performance has not stopped.

Introduced in 2015, the Lexus RC 350 fills a gap in Lexus’ sports lineup with another good balance of performance and refinement, and is just as modern as the more expensive IS sedan. What you get is a sleek two-door coupe that boasts a low, wide stance, sharp body lines, and the distinctive Lexus spindle grille.

Power comes courtesy of a 306-horsepower V6 mated to a standard-fit 8-speed auto and rear-wheel drive or an optional 6-speed manual box paired with all-wheel drive. When it was released, the RC 350 would have cost you just north of $48,000, but despite the reasonable price point, you can still hit 60 mph in as little as 5.8 seconds comfortably.

What the RC 350 brought to the market was Lexus’ vision of luxury comfort, everyday usability, and performance grit when you wanted it. It was the model of the mid-2010s that helped to solidify Lexus’ all-round high-end, well-priced, and performance-focused niche that makes them so hard to compete with.

2025 marks the end of the Lexus RC lineage, but over the last decade, Lexus has ensured that the RC 350 moved with the times with improved safety systems (the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5) and with more refined tech in the shape of a better touchscreen and better audio systems.

Lexus GS F

Model Years: 2016-2020

When the Lexus GS F debuted in 2016 as Lexus’ high-performance flagship sedan, it had its work cut out up against German rivals like the BMW M5 and the Mercedes-AMG E63; both of which are animals and can be very luxurious (depending on how they are configured).

Unlike the lower trims of the Lexus GS, like the GS 350 and GS 450h hybrid, which were built for comfort and efficiency, the GS F was built for one reason. To show off Lexus’ motorsport-inspired engineering while retaining a luxury edge.

There are quite a lot of performance goodies that set the GS F apart from the other GS models. You get a Torque Vectoring Differential (TVD), which offers three modes: Standard, Slalom, and Track; adaptive variable suspension handles rough roads and the track; braking comes courtesy of Brembo brakes; and lightweight carbon fiber elements around the build keep the weight down and tight in the corners.

Though the GS F never outsold any of its European sports sedan rivals, it did show that Lexus was continuing to do things their way and not follow trends too closely. For example, not utilizing a turbocharged inline-six over a naturally aspirated V8. The GS F also offered us a sedan that feels authentic, is still luxurious and, despite its class, still very reliable (RepairPal gives it a reliability score of 4 out of 5).

Lexus RC F

Model Years: 2018-2025

Again we find a beast of a NA V8 under the hood. This time, it is another 2UR-GSE rated with a maximum output of 472 horsepower. As is apparent in other newer Lexus models, they have held firm with a non-turbocharged engine in some of their proper sports cars. The 2UR-GSE can rev all the way up to 7,100 rpm, its power is delivered in a linear fashion, and, in the current MY, you can hit 60 in as little as 4.2 seconds.

When it was released, and to this day for its final MY, it has taken aim at models like the M4 and the RS5, but for the final iteration, with a very hefty price tag to match its ability which outprices both its German competitors. A 2025 M4 will cost you at least $80,000 while a 2025 Audi RS5 will cost you just under $80,000. The 2025 Lexus RC F Final Edition; $94,120.

The note blasted from the exhaust sounds like a proper V8; the Torque Vectoring Differential keeps you stuck to the floor; the adaptive suspension is good for the sporty and everyday side of things; the hand-stitched leather sport seats and aluminum accents make it feel luxurious inside; and the 10.3-inch infotainment screen and Mark Levinson 17-speaker system handle the music and tech.

High prices aside, the Final Edition does show that Lexus is going out with a bang with their curtain-call RC F. Like a lot of their other sports cars, this perky coupe has stayed reliable (3.5 out of 5 for reliability, which is above average for the segment), it still boasts a naturally aspirated V8, it still looks the part, and it still has all the tech you’d need to use it on the commute alongside putting it round a track. While Lexus has undoubtedly evolved over the years, we think the RC F shows that they still know how to get the simple things right.

Lexus IS F 500

Model Years: 2022-2025

Arriving on the market as the 2022 MY, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance is the boldest entry to the IS lineup, reviving the old-school spirit of the IS F while adding in some modern features to make it fit into today’s market.

First introduced as the F Sport Performance model, Lexus positioned it between the everyday-usable IS 350 F Sport and their full-blown “F Cars” and, from the start, it stood out by packing a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8; something that is usually reserved for very few muscle cars in the modern market (and, of course, the other Lexus models that still boast one).

At the center of everything is the awesome 2UR-GSE NA V8. With 472 horsepower and 396 pound feet of torque, it can launch the IS F Sport Performance to 60 mph in roughly 4.4 seconds while still holding on to the refined legacy that Lexus has cultivated. You get a Torsen limited-slip diff, adaptive dampers, Yamaha performance rear stabilizers, and massive Brembo brakes; all in all, you get a compact luxury sedan that has real bite to it.

The IS F, and specifically the IS 500 F Sport, stand as the pinnacle of the IS sedan lineup, and prove that Lexus has also evolved into a brand that can turn out models that their customers want; usable cars that balance old-school guts and modern technology.

Lexus LC

Model Years: 2018-Present

The Lexus LC is effectively the culmination of Lexus’ journey through the last couple of decades of blending performance, reliability, and innovative tech.

Introduced in 2017, the Lexus LC 500 boasts a 5.0-liter V8 that is good for 571 horsepower, and can shift the LC to 60 in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph. Despite it not performing particularly well in sales, the LC 500h, the hybrid variant of the LC 500, boasts a 354-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated with an electric motor. Yes, it didn’t succeed, but it did show that Lexus is brave enough to try out new things on popular models.

Both the LC 500 and LC 500h are rear-wheel drive and come equipped with a 10-speed auto box, while the exterior design is not only sleek-looking, but very handy for cutting through the air and giving you a good ride up through the twisties. It is low to the ground, it boasts near-perfect weight distribution, and it features a double-joint multi-link rear suspension that provides both an agile and comfortable ride.

Its combination of sporty and aggressive styling; advanced tech in the cabin, like the 12.3-inch high-res touchscreen and onboard Wi-Fi; its powerful engine, its high reliability rating, and its sporty setup mean that it is everything you could ask for in a modern sports car, while still being as luxurious and fun to be in as you’d expect from a Lexus.