Lexus LC

Lexus has long struggled to produce sporty cars, but it has finally hit on that elusive combination of power, sound, ride, handling, and emotion with the all-new LC 500.

The LC 500 is a gorgeous coupe, but more important, it’s an entertaining, rewarding-to-drive Lexus that puts a smile on the driver’s face.

We borrowed both the LC 500 (V8) and LC 500h (hybrid) versions from Lexus for a fee to get a taste. (Consumer Reports often borrows cars from manufacturers to get first impressions, and we always pay the automaker a fee.) The LC has just gone on sale, with prices starting at $92,000.

The rear-drive LC draws its styling and supercar aura from the 2011 limited-run high-tech coupe called the LF-A. But at $375,000 a pop, that carbon-fiber exotic was meant to be a declaration of intent rather than a real addition to the model line. The LC is positioned as an alternative to coupes ranging from the track-honed Porsche 911 to the more comfort-oriented Mercedes-Benz SL.

The base LC features the larger, more powerful engine: an all-aluminum, 5.0-liter V8. This is a rare find in a market turning to small-displacement, turbocharged engines. The 471-hp powerplant is a nonturbo unit that’s connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission.This brawny engine delivers plenty of linear, effortless power and an appropriate bravado-filled soundtrack. The transmission shifts smoothly and decisively, and the exhaust is tuned to give a short, satisfying blat during upshifts with wide-open throttle. These sensations combine to stir an enthusiast’s soul and make for a highly enjoyable driving experience.

Starting at $96,510, the 500h hybrid balances performance and efficiency. This high-tech version is fitted with a 3.5-liter V6 and an electric drive. At first glance that sounds like the hybrid seen in some offerings from the Lexus parent company Toyota. But don’t expect the whiny character at high revs that sucks the joy out of other hybrids in the corporate portfolio due to the continuously variable transmission. Instead, this 354-hp powerplant uses what Toyota calls a “multistage” hybrid that essentially simulates a 10-speed automatic, giving the car a more conventional feel than typically associated with a hybrid. A small lithium-ion battery sits in the back.

The hybrid brings a significant improvement in fuel economy, with EPA-rated at 30 mpg overall, compared with 19 mpg overall for the V8. Ultimately, the hybrid version has an artificial feel, lacking the muscular purity of the eight-cylinder version.