The Production-Spec Fastest Lexus Cars Ever Made

Lexus, Toyota’s luxury division, entered the U.S. market in 1989. The Japanese carmaker’s vehicles offered the best of reliability, practicality, a premium and comfortable interior, and safety features but lacked optimum performance. Almost every other Lexus felt like a boat.

Lots of criticism motivated the company to announce its F-series performance cars in 2008 with the launch of the first Lexus IS F. Lexus has not looked back since then, and its cars have added value to the term "performance" in the most unique way.

14.  2023 Lexus LX 600

The 2023 Lexus LX 600 models come with a 3.5-liter engine as standard, and you don’t get any performance-spec models of the LX as of now. What Lexus focuses on is offering a proper luxury statement through the LX 600 models. There, are a total of five trim levels, such as the Lexus LX 600, Premium, F Sport Handling, Luxury, and the top-end Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury.

The F Sport Handling trim improves the dynamics and suspension setup, for the spirited drivers among us. But it is also easy on the pocket, as the Lexus LX 600 offers a decent EPA efficiency of 17 to 22 MPG, depending on the driving conditions.

Other than being a reliable premium SUV, the Lexus LX600 performs great in off-road situations as well. Lexus offers some convenient off-road-oriented features like several drive modes (off-road special), a low-speed cruise control system, hydraulic height adjustment, a central differential lock, and a low-range drive mode. 

The base-spec LX 600 will cost you $92,160, and it comes with similar performance as most other models that are on sale. At that base price, it competes with other premium full-size SUVs like the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Range Rover, and Mercedes-Benz GLS. 

Check out the 2023 Lexus LX 600 specs below-

The Lexus LX 600 comes with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 409 HP and 489 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 MPH in about 6.1 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 130 MPH. 

13. Lexus RC 350 F Sport

The Lexus RC 350 is one of the most affordable and reliable premium two-door coupes that you can find in the current automobile market. It gets the same V6 motor as the Toyota Camry TRD but in a much better fashion. 

The 2023 Lexus RC 350 is available in a total of two trim levels, and the Lexus RC 350 F Sport comes at a price of $53,370. However, if you want to save some bucks, inarguably on the best Lexus sedan, then we've curated these best deals across the US for the 2022 model RC 350, starting from as low as $40,000.

Other fabulous products like the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, Audi A5, and C Class Coupe compete with the Lexus RC 350 F Sport. 

The Lexus RC 350 F Sport AWD comes with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 311 HP and 280 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 MPH in about 5.6 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 132 MPH. 

12. 2023 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport

The most recent 2023 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport is one of the slowest cars in this list: it records a 0-60 MPH time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 143 MPH. The car is powered by a 3.5L V6 gasoline engine that puts out 311 hp with a torque output of 280 lb-ft. The car uses an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels. True to its sporty nature, the IS 350 has excellent ride quality and controlled driving dynamics.  

Over the standard IS 350, the F-Sport trim adds 19-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, special F-Sport styling, and an option limited-slip rear differential. Apart from the 350, the IS range also consists of a less powerful IS 300 model and a V8-powered IS 500 model. For 2022, the IS 350 adds the memory package and a premium package for the added cost. With all this setup, the IS 350 mainly competes against the BMW M340i model.

11. Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance

The 500 in the name of the 2023 RX 500h SUV might remind you of some V8s, but unfortunately, this is a hybrid with half the cylinders. It’s fast as well as efficient. It can reach 60 mph from a standstill in less than 6 seconds while having an EPA-estimated efficiency of 27 mpg in combined usage. 

The RX 500h in its F Sport Performance AWD trim, comes at a price of $63,150, and as a sporty, plug-in hybrid SUV, the price is quite reasonable. Also, you get almost all the features available in the RX lineup, as the 500h F Sport Performance is the top-end trim that is available for sale right now. 

But if you want the regular model, then the RX350 is priced at $48,950, which competes with the likes of the Acura MDX.

The Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-4 engine producing 366 HP and 406 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 MPH in about 5.5 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 130 MPH. 

10. 2016 Lexus LS 600h L

Jump six years back, to the 2016 Lexus LS 600h L. This hybrid vehicle was in production from 2008 to 2016, after which the LS range received a facelift in 2017. The LS600h L was the flagship model back from Lexus. This vehicle used a 5.0L V8 engine with two electric motors for a combined power output of 438 hp with 385 lb-ft of torque output. Despite weighing in over 5,000 lbs, the car sprinted from 0-60 MPH in 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 155 MPH.

The 600h L was a hybrid model, but the EPA estimates for the car didn’t really justify its hybrid tag. EPA put the 600h L just 2 MPG better than the standard LS model. However, Lexus tuned the electric system to not just help with fuel economy but also to offer that extra juice to liven up the performance. On launch, the car cost $120,440 and was made to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Audi A8, and the BMW 7-Series. 

9. 2017 Lexus LS 460

The year 2017 was the last model year for the Lexus LS 460, which is why it got no changes for that year. The LS series got a refresh for 2018 (fifth generation) and the LS 460 model was not brought back. Fun fact, the fifth generation also saw the end of the V8s which were replaced by the V6 engines. Anyhow, this LS 460 model propelled from 0-60 MPH in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 155 MPH which was electronically limited. 

Such performance came from its smaller 4.6L V8 engine that made 386 hp with 367 lb-ft of torque. The engine was coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission with RWD. All-wheel drive was available and so was the long-wheelbase LS 460 L model. However, AWD dropped power output levels to 359 hp and 347 lb-ft. The LS 460 lineup received a ton of praise for its consistent and quiet ride and its high-quality interior.

8. Lexus RZ 450e AWD

The 2023 Lexus 450e AWD is currently one of the fastest Lexus cars that also happens to be one of the most stylish EVs in recent memory in that whole lineup of luxury and premium cars. And thanks to its standard dual electric motor setup, it is a crazy fast machine, reaching 0–60 in just about 4.6 seconds. 

However, the first question that comes to mind after that is: what is the range of the RZ 450e? And the answer is quite disappointing. The 2023 RZ 450e can offer an estimated range of only about 220 miles on a single charge. And the 2023 Lexus RZ450e has a base price of around $59,650. So if you want something better, then look out for substitutes like the BMW iX, Genesis GV60, and Cadillac Lyriq. 

Of all these rivals, the BMW iX is getting better sales than most others, even though it is not as aesthetically pleasing.

The Lexus RZ comes with a dual-electric motor setup producing 308 HP and 320 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 MPH in about 4.6 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 103 MPH. 

7. 2012 Lexus IS F

The 2012 Lexus IS F sedan challenged BMW’s M Performance range and the AMG cars from Mercedes-Benz. It used a 5.0L V8 that made 416 hp and 371 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox with a rear-wheel-drive system which is the only option. The figures were slightly more than the BMW M3 and a lot lower than the C63’s but the car had a respectable 0-60 MPH time of 4.6 seconds.

Top speed was limited to 169 MPH. Despite being sporty, the IS F delivered decent fuel economy numbers at 16 MPG city and 23 MPG highway which were better than its rivals. For 2012, the IS F received a different interior color theme and got wider tires on the outside. Like all luxury Lexus models, the IS also had a quiet interior with a top-notch cabin and lots of useful features. However, it had a cramped rear row, making it a suitable car for two passengers only.

6. 2023 Lexus LS 500

We now get back to recent years with the 2023 Lexus LS 500. Powering this luxury sedan is a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine that makes 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, the car sprints from 0-60 MPH in 4.6 seconds and records a top speed of 136 MPH. The LS range surely could’ve done with a V8 engine, but Lexus stuck to the idea of a more economical V6. 

Despite being a luxury sedan, this model outputs a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG with 18 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. As a flagship model, the LS does well in terms of comfort and luxury but does not keep up to the expected performance, tilting its balance. The LS range also comes in a 500h model that adds two electric motors to a 3.5L V6 engine for more power and better efficiency.

5. 2023 Lexus IS 500 F-Sport Performance

The 2023 Lexus IS 500 F-Sport Performance model is all-new for 2023 and is the best-performing model in the IS lineup. The IS 500 is among the few models that still use the naturally aspirated V8 engine which makes it one of the best-sounding and fastest Lexus cars with a naturally aspirated engine. This engine accelerates the IS 500 F-Sport in just 4.4 seconds from 0-60 MPH and achieves a top speed of 149 MPH. On the F-Sport model, the 5.0L V8 engine outputs 472 hp with 395 lb-ft of torque.

As a new trim, the IS 500 comes with a unique exterior styling, rear diffuser, trunk spoiler, and quad exhaust tips, which are all specific to this model. The F-Sport model gets an adaptive sport suspension, 19-inch wheels with performance tires, better brakes, and a Torsen limited-slip differential. The IS 500 also comes in a Premium version that costs $62,075 and adds a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound system 

4. 2020 Lexus GS F

Lexus decided to give the refined midsize luxury GS sedan a sporty character with the GS F model back in 2016. This performance upgrade helped register a 0-60 MPH time of 4.4 seconds with a top speed of 168 MPH. The GS F was equipped with a non-turbo 5.0L V8 engine that pumped 467 hp and 389 lb-ft of torque. In 2020, this vehicle came with a sticker price of $86,035.

Over the years, the GS F added continuously variable dampers and more safety features but it remained unchanged for MY 2020. The GS F gained a name for its sporty driving dynamics and excellent-sounding V8 engine. Being a sporty sedan, the GS F was loaded with lots of standard features and equipment, and its comfortable seating also helped it to be a practical performance car. However, the GS range was stopped in 2021 due to the dying midsize sedan segment as per Lexus.

3. 2023 Lexus LC 500 Coupe

The Lexus LC 500 was introduced in 2018 and has continued without any exterior changes even for 2022. An aerodynamic exterior design with the right setup of chassis, engine, suspension, and brakes makes this luxury coupe a desirable choice to own. Performance-wise as well, this car has gone unchanged and continues to munch out the same figures of 4.4 seconds for the 0-60 MPH run and a top speed of 168 MPH. 

The LC 500 range is also offered in a convertible version and as an LC 500h hybrid version. The convertible model is slightly slower with a 0-60 MPH time of 4.6 seconds. The hybrid model, even though it's lighter than the convertible LC 500 is 0.1 seconds slower and also has a lower top speed of 155 MPH. For 2022, Lexus offers a Bespoke Build trim on the LC 500 coupe and hybrid models. The Inspiration Series convertible trim adds a new red soft-top for 2022.

2. 2023 Lexus RC F

Lexus’s 2023 RC F model is based on the RC coupe, and the F badging does uplift its performance to a completely new level. This sports coupe sprints from 0-60 MPH in 4.2 seconds and Lexus reports a track top speed of 168 MPH. Such performance is delivered from its 472 hp 5.0L V8 that delivers a torque output of 395 lb-ft. Lexus equips the RC F with adaptive suspension, torque vectoring differential, Brembo six-piston brakes, and launch control. 

The RC F is one of the most powerful naturally aspirated engine-powered cars available in the market today. However, it has a fuel-thirsty engine, which delivers economy figures as low as 19 MPG combined. For 2023, the RC F Fuji Speedway Edition gets all the track upgrades of the discontinued Track trim for $102,170. This top-spec model reduces the weight by 121 lbs which has dropped the 0-60 MPH time to 3.96 seconds. Only 50 Fuji models will be made.

1. 2012 Lexus LFA

The 2012 Lexus LFA marked the pinnacle of the Japanese luxury carmaker’s production-spec performance cars back in the day. The LFA was quite advanced for its time, which recorded 0-60 MPH time of 3.6 seconds and a 0-62 MPH of 3.7 seconds. The top speed achieved by the LFA stood at 202 MPH. Powering this car was a 5.2L V10 engine that outputs 552 hp with 354 lb-ft of torque.

The LFA’s frame was built using carbon fiber-reinforced polymer which topped its curb weight at 3,263 lbs. Lexus’s LFA was among the first performance cars to use a digital instrument cluster. Lexus also offered lots of personalization options to help increase its appeal. The LFA got a Nurburgring Edition at a later date that increased power output to 563 hp and reduced the 0-60 MPH time to 3.5 seconds. The top speed also increased to 203 MPH effectively making it the fastest Lexus car ever sold to consumers.