When did the Lexus LC 500 come out?
The Lexus LC 500 first appeared in 2016 and reached showrooms as a 2018 model-year car in late 2017, with exact dates varying by market.
Timeline of the LC 500’s release
The following milestones trace the model’s public reveal to its market introduction across regions.
- January 2016 — World premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, introducing the production-ready Lexus LC lineup (LC 500 and LC 500h).
- Late 2017 — US sales begin for the LC 500 as 2018 model-year vehicles, with first deliveries in the United States occurring toward the end of 2017.
- 2018 — European and other markets begin deliveries of the LC 500 and LC 500h as 2018 model-year vehicles, with broader rollout through the year.
In short, the LC 500’s market entry was staggered by region, with its public reveal in 2016 and showroom availability starting in late 2017 for the U.S. and in 2018 for many international markets.
Additional context
Here are a few notes to clarify common points of confusion about the LC 500's release timeline.
Model year vs calendar year
Automakers in the United States typically announce new models by model year. The LC 500 arrived in the U.S. as a 2018 model-year vehicle, even though the initial reveal and some early sales occurred in 2016–2017.
Variants
Alongside the LC 500 (the V8-powered version), Lexus introduced the LC 500h hybrid, which followed a similar timeline but with its own powertrain details and market availability.
Summary
The Lexus LC 500 debuted publicly in January 2016 at the Detroit Auto Show, and it reached U.S. showrooms as a 2018 model-year vehicle starting in late 2017, with European and other markets following in 2018. The rollout was regional, reflecting standard auto-industry practice for a high-end grand touring coupe.
