Looking for a hot hybrid? Lexus has your car

This review first appeared in the July 2022 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

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Sacramento, California -- The tested 2022 Lexus LC 500h Coupe is many things.

It's the flagship sports coupe of the venerable automaker.

It's a road-ripping four-seater capable of 155 miles per hour, sans engine restrictions.

It's (wait for it) $115,285.  At least mine was.

But most of all, it's one of those special cars that I call a crowd-stopper.  That's a car that, when stopped, prompts a crowd to gather around it.

It wasn't my first rodeo, but I did eventually grow weary of answering the questions of the assembled crowd: Yes, it's a Lexus. Yes, it's (add your favorite: sick, awesome, mind-blowing, boss and rad).  That last one was from some guy stuck in the 1980s, but who am I to argue?

You get the idea.  And all of it is legit, because the LC 500h Coupe is one hot hybrid.  Just looking at it gets the blood racing.

It's beautifully styled, with a long hood line, sporty/angular side cuts and a back end right out of the Corvette playbook.

Popping open the driver's door took my breath away.  I was greeted with a perfectly stitched lining of bright-orange seating surfaces.  Set off against the "Smoky Granite Mica" exterior, I felt like I was stepping into a purpose-built racing machine.

Lexus also spiced things up a bit for 2022 with what it calls "Bespoke Build," which enables buyers to configure their vehicle with a mix of performance and styling components.

Very clever.

On the fly, the Lexus suspension was rock-solid, as was the ride.  No wiggle to be had, even when I was trying to produce it.

Acceleration is pleasingly brisk, but the 500h systems work in concert to produce power without guilt.

The Multistage Hybrid System -- employing a lightweight lithium-ion battery -- combines the power of a V-6 engine with hybrid assist (two electric motors) and a multiple-output transmission.  The combined output is 354 horsepower, but the resulting fuel mileage is a surprisingly robust 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Those are remarkably good numbers in this vehicle segment.

Please note: This is a four-seater, but those two in the back are going to find things a bit cramped.

All in all, dedicated horsepower junkies are likely to admire the looks of this Lexus but move on to the 500-plus numbers found in other sports cars.

But if you are looking for an eye-catching, superbly engineered model that's relatively easy on the fuel bill, and can be customized to your liking, this LC 500h might be your ride.

If so, be prepared to draw a crowd, and answer some questions.