Motor Trend - USA (2020-04)

We wish the BMW i8 followed in the i3’s

path with recycled textiles, open-pore

wood, and hemp cloth. As it sits, the

i8’s cabin looks pretty boring.

We find no fault with the Polestar 1 ’s

interior design or quality, but it doesn’t

feel like it’s worth $150,000; you can get

almost the same cabin on a $50,000 S 90.

BMW i8

Polestar 1

On the face of it, the LC 500h, Lexus’

flagship hybrid, has a lot to offer. For

starters, its classic long-hood, short-deck,

rear-drive coupe profile is absolutely

stunning. Even in our tester’s dull Atomic

Silver, the LC’s taut, sweeping sheetmetal

is arguably one of the prettiest designs to

come out of Japan in the past decade.

The cabin is even better. “Holy cow,

does it punch above its weight,” associate

online editor Stefan Ogbac said. “I’d

even argue that it deserves to be a pricier

car.” Featuring a beautiful mix of colors,

textures, and materials—and ignoring

its dumpster fire ( but finally CarPlay-

friendly) infotainment system—the LC

500h is the clear bargain of this quartet at

its as-tested price of $100,605.

Unfortunately, the LC 500h’s power-

train isn’t as thoughtfully integrated as

its design. One of two traditional hybrids

here, the Lexus uses a Hybrid Synergy

Drive–derived system that works like

this: Power from the corporate 3.5-liter

V-6 gets combined with that of two

electric motors in an e-CVT. It then flows

through a four-speed automatic, with

the whole thing supposedly programmed

to provide the feel of 10 traditional

gear ratios. A little 1-kW-hr lithium-ion

battery pack mounted between the rear

seats and trunk backs up the system. Total

output is 354 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of

torque, and combined EPA fuel economy

is 30 mpg.

The Lexus is at its best when you don’t

ask much of it. When slicing through

traffic around town or on the highway,

the LC’s dance between engine and motor

and through all that complex gearing is

relatively unobtrusive. The car feels quick

and nimble, with light, natural steering

and relaxed ride quality. Sadly, “EV mode”

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