When it comes to sports cars, no nameplate has gained more of a reputation than the Porsche 911. Yes, we know that is a strong claim, but since its release in 1965 in the U.S.A., it has grown from strength to strength and become the go-to for many deep-pocketed on-road and track grin-seekers. It is a bona fide icon.
However, it is not alone in the high-end sports car market, and the Lexus LC 500 has spent the last eight years on the 911’s heels, bringing its own bag of tricks to the sports car segment. Both are very different sports cars at heart, and both get the job done in their own ways. This is why we are drilling into how the Porsche 911 and Lexus LC 500 bring sports car performance to the market, how they compare, and what sets them apart.
2026 Lexus LC 500 Vs. 2026 Porsche 911: Engine And Performance Showdown
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- Base Trim Engine
-
5L V-8 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
471 HP @7100 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
398 lb.-ft. @ 4800 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
15/25/18 MPG
-
- Base Trim Engine
-
3L H6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
PDK 8-speed auto-shift manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
388 HP @6500 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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332 lb.-ft. @ 1950 RPM
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
When it comes to engines, there is little doubt that a lot of 2026 Porsche 911 models trump the Lexus LC 500’s output and speed. There is just one engine option for the 2026 Lexus LC 500 lineup, after the hybrid LC 500h was dropped at the end of 2025: a naturally aspirated V8. Power is staunch, but the key takeaway here is that it boasts a high-revving naturally aspirated V8, a very seldom-seen configuration on the market today.
|
Spec |
2026 Lexus LC 500 |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
5.0-Liter 2UR-GSE V8 |
|
Horsepower |
477 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
398 LB-FT |
|
0–60 MPH |
4.4 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
168 MPH |
There is no turbo; the 2UR-GSE V8 provides a strong mid-range; the burble from the back reminds us of sports cars of a bygone era, and it is built to last. The Lexus LC 500’s V8 boasts dual VVT-i on both the intake and exhaust, so you get a responsive pull through the rev range, and the block and heads are made from aluminum, so weight is kept down and helps to keep the handling balance in check.
While the evolution of turbo tech has no doubt helped motivate some of the best modern engines, for those of us who enjoy the purer side of engines, the call of a naturally aspirated V8 that redlines at 7,300 rpm and gives out peak power at around 7,100 rpm is hard to ignore.
Then there is the 2026 Porsche 911. As a clear sign that Porsche wants us to have a choice of what high-powered engine we want under the hood, there are five engine choices across its lineup, with varying horsepower outputs depending on the model.
At the base level, there is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six; then we have a hybrid 3.6-liter twin-e-turbocharged flat-six, and a more potent 3.6-liter hybrid variant is utilized in some models. A 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six sits under the hood of some of the higher-end purist models, and outrageous power is let rip from a 4.0-liter T-Hybrid twin-e-turbocharged flat-six at the top end.
|
Spec |
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera/T/S/4S/Targa 4S |
2026 Porsche 911 GT3/GT3 RS |
2026 Porsche 911 GTS/4 GTS/Targa 4 GTS |
2026 Porsche 911 Turbo |
2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged Flat-Six |
4.0-Liter Flat-Six |
3.6-Liter Twin-e-Turbocharged Flat-Six |
3.6-Liter e-Turbocharged Flat-Six |
3.6-Liter Twin-e-Turbocharged Flat-Six T-Hybrid |
|
Horsepower |
388 Horsepower – 473 Horsepower |
502 Horsepower – 518 Horsepower |
532 Horsepower |
572 Horsepower |
701 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
331 LB-FT – 390 LB-FT |
331 LB-FT – 342 LB-FT |
449 LB-FT |
553 LB-FT |
590 LB-FT |
|
0–60 MPH |
3.1 Seconds – 3.9 Seconds |
3 Seconds – 3.2 Seconds |
2.9 Seconds |
2.7 Seconds |
2.4 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
191 MPH |
198 MPH |
194 MPH |
199 MPH |
200 MPH |
Even with a lower output at base level, the new Porsche 911 outsprints the Lexus LC 500, and while most engines take advantage of modern tech to produce ridiculous results (especially the new 911 Turbo S, which is the most powerful factory-built 911 ever), Porsche has also given us a touch of the old-school in the shape of the 911 GT3 and GT3 RS models with a NA flat-six under the hood.
Compared to Lexus, Porsche leans heavily into cutting-edge performance tech for most of the 911 lineup, especially with the Turbo S’s twin e-turbo rig, which sees an electric turbo on each bank of cylinders with a built-in motor that spools up turbo compressors away from the exhaust gases. This means next to no lag and an instant boost. Compared to the Lexus LC 500, the engine bay of the 911 is a far more techy place.
Find 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
Lexus LC 500: Comfort Meets Cornering Confidence
There are also huge differences between the LC 500 and the 911 in terms of road manners. The Lexus LC 500 strikes a balance between GT comfort and precise handling through a well-thought-out chassis and suspension setup. The LC 500 boasts a front mid-ship layout, which means a lot of the heavy components sit behind the front axle. The center of gravity is kept low, and the layout helps to achieve a 54:46 front: rear weight split – ideal for more spirited driving in the twisties when you want it.
The LC 500 rides on a rigid unibody constructed from high-strength steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. This provides torsional stiffness for fast corners and a very refined GT feel when you want to cruise on a highway. Multi-link suspension sits on all corners, and combined with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which adjusts damping on the fly, you get smooth handling when you want it for normal driving, and firm feedback when you want to blast it about a bit.
“Prefer a calm and peaceful drive? Use a more modest drive mode to keep the noise down, the suspension soft, and the drive relaxing and easygoing. Weekend lapping day? With its most athletic settings engaged, the LC 500 is a corner-carving V8 concert that’s not too hard on its driver.”
CarBuzz review of the Lexus LC 500 by Justin Pritchard
The 2026 Lexus LC 500 is only available as a RWD sports car and comes equipped with an open differential as standard, which itself offers smooth torque where it is needed for normal driving. You can also upgrade it to a Torsen limited-slip differential, which is placed between the rear wheels for a bit more bite and quicker off-the-mark performance.
Where Lexus has nailed the LC 500 is in hands-on engagement. Rear-wheel drive, a naturally aspirated V8, EPS with a 13.0:1 ratio, and a more traditional mechanical setup, minus the input from AVS and available Active Cornering Assist. If you want to feel what you are steering into, the LC 500 is one of a kind in the modern sports car market.
Porsche 911: Razor-Sharp Steering And Track-Ready Balance
The Porsche 911 takes a very different approach to handling and road manners. Depending on whose camp you sit in, you could say that the new 911 lineup is far superior in terms of handling and track-worthiness; in short, it is a track demon and one of the most exhilarating sports cars on the market. However, for a lot of us who want a modern sports car relatively free of nannies and high-spec gear to keep you on the road, it may be a bit much for some. We are not saying that it is a bad thing, but it is markedly different from what is offered by the LC 500.
Models like the Carrera and Carrera T are still only available with rear-wheel drive, but all the models above this can be fitted with an AWD system. So right from the off, Porsche adds a far more modern option compared to Lexus. In typical Porsche fashion, a lot of racing DNA and new tech have been injected into the iconic model line this year to make it a very stable and grippy road and track demon. At the base level, in the 911 Carrera, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) makes sure that tire contact is kept at the right levels for both comfort and intense grip, thanks to continuously adjusting damping.
A MacPherson front strut axle and a lightweight multi-link rear axle (both with anti-roll bars) allow for precise steering; the 408 mm front and 380 mm rear brakes are epic for stopping power, and the rear-engine layout provides a rear-heavy balance for über traction and the oh-so-typical 911 feel.
“Applying just a bit of brake, the Porsche assumed the exact pace I’d intended, and together we carved that corner with the precision of a neurosurgeon. I have been blessed with the opportunity to drive a great number of cars over the 27 years I have been doing this work. Doing the math one day, my son and I calculated I have driven well over a thousand different cars, and none of them—not even one—has ever felt alive in my hands the way a Porsche sports car does, while exhibiting the stability of a 275-year-old Swiss bank.”
Top Speed review of the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera by Lyndon Conrad Bell
Then we move to the more technologically advanced and track-focused trims of the new 911: the 911 GT3, the 911 GT3 RS, and the Turbo S. While both the Carrera and GT3 boast PASM, the GT3 lines come equipped with rear-axle steering as standard; it is an optional extra for the base 911. This helps in keeping things agile at low speeds and shores up stability when you’re blasting it.
The GT3 and GT3 RS are lighter than the base trim, thanks to extensive use of CFRP, and tip the scales at 3,130 pounds and 3,200 pounds, respectively. The Carrera’s lightest weight is 3,342 pounds. And, if you opt for the GT3 or GT3 RS, you also get oodles of Porsche Active Aerodynamics in the shape of front diffusers and a massive rear wing for immense downforce. There is no option like this for the new LC 500.
At the top of the tree this year is the new 911 Turbo S. Not only do you get the very sleek bodywork that we are used to from the legendary German sports car, but also a very impressive array of techy performance goods to complement the techy configuration that makes it a powerhouse. PASM still plays a part in the Turbo S, and so does rear-axle steering, but you also get Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive, which splits torque front-to-rear for rail-like grip and to reduce understeer when you’re flooring it or in a corner.
Active aerodynamics in the shape of front spoilers, a rear wing, and adjusting cooling flaps are included to keep you stuck to the road, and electro-hydraulically controlled Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (ehPDCC) with anti-roll bars helps to keep the Turbo S balanced when you need to change direction on a pin-head. There is no doubt, when comparing the Lexus LC 500 and the Porsche 911, which model is the techier.
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How The LC 500 And 911 Bring Style In Different Ways
It is clear from a mile off when a 911 is coming toward you, and it is clear when an LC 500 is coming toward you. Both boast now-iconic silhouettes that have helped solidify each model in sports car folklore. Again, though, both Porsche and Lexus have taken very different approaches to design thought, with the LC 500 being the more grand-looking GT out of the two, and the 911 being the more obviously sporty number.
Lexus LC 500: Grand Touring Luxury Meets Bold Styling
There is little doubt that the 2026 Lexus LC 500 stands out as the more dramatic of the two. The coupe flavor boasts sculpted bodywork that looks elegant; a low, tapered roofline with a sweeping hood gives it a flowing motion at a standstill; the signature Lexus spindle grille sits up front, and blacked-out pillars give it a floating-roof effect.
LED signature lights in the shape of ultra-compact triple-projector headlights and jet-inspired taillights look distinctive, while a choice of classy and subtle paint schemes, which include Infrared, Caviar, Iridium, and Cloud Burst Gray, complete the classy GT look.
The convertible variant gives you all this with the added bonus of being able to drop the roof to hear the wail of the V8. This year, Lexus is also releasing a limited run of the LC 500 Inspiration Series, which comes as a coupe or a convertible, with its own set of unique design cues. These include a carbon-fiber roof and a fixed spoiler for the coupe, 21-inch matte black forged wheels, a blacked-out grille, and red brake calipers that make it stand out even more.
The convertible Inspiration Series flaunts a unique Wind exterior paint scheme with a distinctive brown and silver soft top, black accents, and uniquely bold wheel treatments. Both versions also feature subtle front bumper canards, a special scuff plate, and serialized badging around the body to complete them as the limited-edition high-end grand tourers that they are.
Porsche 911: Minimalist Sports Car DNA With Driver Focus
The Porsche 911 exterior remains a vision of the classic outline. It boasts a long, sloping roof, muscular rear haunches, and a taut beltline, while the nose still undeniably signifies German sports prowess. It is instantly recognizable as a 911. Porsche has integrated all lighting functions into the standard-fit Matrix LED headlights with four-point daytime running lights. This has been done to free up more space by removing extra lamps and allows for larger air intakes in the front fascia, which in turn helps with brake and engine cooling.
At the rear, a full-width light and sculpted bumper with integrated ventilation make it look meaty from behind, while also helping to draw away heat from the engine bay. It may look like the 911 we know and love, but there are a lot of touches around the build that prove that German sports design is always finding ways to improve performance.
Sportier flavors like the GTS wear wider tires and 21-inch wheels, plus they boast five vertical active cooling flaps in the front fascia that both give off a sporty presence and aid in drag reduction and cooling. Satin Black rear lower sections and integrated twin oval tailpipe surrounds hit home that this is a performance car, and nothing else. The added aero features and larger intakes on models like the GT3 and Turbo S take the exterior design from a sporty road-going 911 to an intense, track-born 911. Form meets function in the most possible German fashion in the new 911 lineup.
Find 2026 Lexus LC and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
Lexus LC 500 vs Porsche 911 Technology, And Daily Usability
Neither the Porsche 911 nor the Lexus LC 500 would be much of a modern sports car without a reasonable amount of technology in the cabin and comfort features. Both provide it, but again, the Porsche 911 leans very heavily into its sports car lineage, while the LC 500 delivers a cozy cockpit that doubles up as a very comfortable place to be when you want to make use of the NA V8.
According to reviews by owners on Kelley Blue Book, the Lexus LC 500 receives an overall score of 4.9 out of 5, which includes a comfort rating of 4.6 out of 5, while the Porsche 911 receives an overall score of 4.2 out of 5, including a comfort score of 3.9 out of 5.
Lexus LC 500: Comfortable Interior, Advanced Tech & A Plush Feel
Working alongside Takumi Masters, Lexus designed the LC 500’s interior to balance GT comfort with driver-focused features. Soft-touch materials and stitched leather cover most surfaces; carbon-fiber and Satin Metallic trim accents add a sporty touch, and a driver-oriented layout positions controls toward you. A 10.3-inch touchscreen sits angled toward you, while the steering wheel-mounted buttons and available paddle shifters make everything easy.
It is available with a leather-wrapped gearshift lever, Alcantara-trimmed panels, and semi-aniline leather seating. Even the color schemes feel rich and cozy in comparison to what is available for the 911. 2026 Lexus LC 500 interior color schemes include:
- Black.
- Toasted Caramel.
- Rioja Red.
All LC 500 models come equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, which brings along Pre-Collision, Lane-Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Road Sign Assist, so everyday safety is still a priority alongside its relative sportiness. An optional 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio rig provides top-draw sounds, and an available HUD and digital rearview mirror complete the gentle yet up-to-speed serenity of the LC 500’s cabin. In essence, everything is made to make you feel at home, and the interior of the LC 500 is certainly more den-like compared to that of the 911.
Porsche 911: Premium Cabin Features & Proven Performance Toys
The Porsche 911 is still a luxury sports car, but in comparison, it is far more concerned with a minimalist athletic design mixed with premium materials. The 911 boasts a digital 12.6-inch curved instrument cluster, and the Porsche Driver Experience control gives you views of different drive modes, Sport Chrono functions (if selected), and a center tachometer. A GT-inspired start button placed to the left of a small GT-style steering wheel wrapped in leather or Race-Tex is a not-so-subtle nod to its racing heritage and definitely makes you feel like you are in a proper sports car.
Most of the surfaces are kept simple and clean, and the driver-focused dashboard is uncluttered and meant to be easy to read at speed. Seats featured in some of the higher trims, like the GT3 and Turbo S, are sculpted with high bolsters to keep you in place on the track, while metallic pedals, carbon-fiber console inserts, and embossed Porsche crests on headrests remind you that the 911 is made for both luxury and track days.
A V-8 Powered Future Classic You Won’t Regret Buying
While rivals may outdo the Lexus LC, the flagship Japanese sports car has a few key ingredients that will make it a desirable future classic
Go For The Porsche 911 For Track Performance
And The Lexus LC 500 For Everyday GT Performance
Both the Lexus LC 500 and Porsche 911 are expensive sports cars to buy. The starting price of a 2026 Lexus LC 500 is $101,700 for the coupe, $109,200 for the convertible, and the Inspiration Series models cost even more. 2026 is the last year you can get a Lexus LC 500, and before it is dropped, Lexus has released 200 coupe versions and 350 convertible versions of the LC Inspiration Series.
Prices for the coupe are $121,250 and $122,250 for the convertible. The Lexus LC 500 is a future classic in the making as it stands, but these limited-edition models are likely to be worth even more to collectors in years to come. If you are looking for a debonair interior, a beautiful-sounding naturally aspirated V8, and a hands-on feel to your sports car, the last MY of the Lexus LC 500 is the model to choose.
If you are looking for cutting-edge German precision and lots of track-day potential, the 2026 Porsche 911 is the model to go for. Starting prices are even more expensive, with the base-model 911 Carrera costing $135,500, and prices stretching up to $284,300 for the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet.
The 911 doesn’t look to be going anywhere, and Porsche has ensured the legendary sports car has moved with the times, while still offering the option for old-school, hands-on fun, and a plethora of raucous engine choices. If you are looking for ungodly sprint times and oodles of flat-six power, there is more than one option in the 2026 Porsche 911 lineup.
Sources: Porsche, Lexus, and Kelley Blue Book.