Ten Point Test

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 76%

The Lexus SC430 offers something different for your luxury coupe-convertible pound.

It also comes crammed full of great kit and luxury extras which mean great value for money.

But the looks have divided critics. Like what you see? Then see how we got on with our week with the Lexus sports car.

1. Looks 9/10

We thought the Lexus SC 430 looked great. It’s a very well-proportioned hard-top convertible which sits on 18-inch alloy wheels, has bags of road presence and turns heads more used to seeing its competitors on UK roads. Some critics have dubbed it ugly and its fair to say appearance, more than any other aspect of a car is down to individual taste, but we thought the car park looked a prettier place with our test model in it. We’re getting used to seeing convertible tin-tops on the roads now but this one is well-executed.

2. Looks inside 8/10

The interior of the car lives up to the expectations set by the car’s external appearance: cream leathers, wooden gear knob and steering wheel, give a real sense of luxury. The car combines classic and modern elements well, giving the driver and passenger a real sense of occasion.

3. Practicality 5/10

The car is great if you’re in the front. There is plenty of space and the seats feel very wide. However, the rear seats are really just for show with absolutely no legroom available for passengers. The retractable metal roof folds in a respectable 25 seconds but eats into the boot space. Travel with the roof up and you get 368 litres but if you’re planning to do a little top-down motoring that shrinks to just 135 litres.

4. Ride and Handling 7/10

Lexus plays a bigger role in the US market than it does the UK and the upmarket manufacturer adjusted the car’s handling and dynamics according to the different demands of driving on British roads. Sports cars generally find a balance between handling and ride which favours the former. But that’s not true of the Lexus SC 430. The handling is reasonable sharp but it is when it comes to the comfort-factor that the car really impresses. The question is do you really want a comfortable sports car?

5. Performance 8/10

The Lexus SC430 is powered by a 282bhp 4.3-litre V8 petrol engine which drives the car from 0-62mph in just 6.4 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155mph. The automatic gearbox also permits manual changes and offers normal, power and snow mode for a variety of acceleration responses. The car feels powerful and fast. Sports car box ticked.

6. Running Costs 5/10

The Lexus SC 430 is expected to return an average 24.8mpg. Owners will also face a £300 annual tax bill (soon to rise to £400)  with emissions of 269g/km putting it in car tax band G. Running a luxury sports car doesn’t come cheap and Insurance group 19A will only add to the bill.

7. Reliability 8/10

The Lexus SC 430 model has been around a little while now. It was launched in the UK in 2002. Lexus is the luxury brand of ultra-reliable Toyota, which should go some way to ensuring as few problems as possible.

8. Safety 7/10

Safety features and Lexus go hand in hand and the Lexus SC 430 is no exception. All cars come with anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, vehicle stability control and brake assist to keep you out of trouble as well as driver, front passenger and front side airbags should an accident prove unavoidable.

9. Equipment 9/10

The Lexus SC 430 comes with a high level of standard equipment including full leather interior, wood and leather steering wheel, electric, heated, front and nine speaker Mark Levinson hi-fi system, cruise control and sat-nav.

10. X-Factor 9/10

The Lexus 430 SC is a super-comfortable sports car which comes with bags of kit and a sense of occasion. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but we thought it looked great in the metal – a very good-looking car indeed.

Key facts

Model tested: Lexus SC 430
On the road price: £54,880
Price range: £54,880
Date tested: November 2007
Road tester: Adrian Higgins