Compare the2025 Lexus LCVS 2025 Lotus Emira

The Lexus LC has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Emira doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The LC has standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Emira doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The LC’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Emira.

The LC has a standard Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Emira only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The LC has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Emira’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the LC has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Lotus charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Emira.

Both the LC and the Emira have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rear parking sensors.

The Lexus LC weighs 1033 to 1311 pounds more than the Lotus Emira. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The LC comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Emira’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The LC comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years unlimited miles. Lexus will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Emira.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LC 3 years and 34000 miles longer than Lotus covers the Emira. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Emira ends after only 3 years or 36,000 miles.

There are over 6 times as many Lexus dealers as there are Lotus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the LC’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the LC first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Emira isn’t in the top three in its category.

The LC 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 310) than the Emira’s standard 3.5 supercharged V6. The LC 500’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 71 more horsepower (471 vs. 400) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (398 vs. 354) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the LC Coupe gets better mileage than the Emira:

			MPG
LC Coupe
	Auto	3.5 V6 Hybrid	26 city/33 hwy
Emira
	Manual	3.5 supercharged V6	16 city/24 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/30 hwy
		3.5 supercharged V6	18 city/26 hwy

The LC can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for .6 miles. The Emira can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the LC Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Emira doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the LC Hybrid’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Emira doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The LC’s standard fuel tank has 7.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Emira (21.7 vs. 13.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LC Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 8.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Emira (22.2 vs. 13.8 gallons).

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Emira.

The LC 500h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Emira doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the LC’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Emira:

	LC	Emira
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	14.6 inches
Rear Rotors	14.1 inches	13.8 inches

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LC offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Emira’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the LC can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Emira doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The LC has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Emira’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The LC has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Emira doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LC’s wheelbase is 11.6 inches longer than on the Emira (113 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the LC is .2 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Emira.

The LC’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Emira’s (39.8% to 60.2%). This gives the LC more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the LC Active Rear Steering’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Emira’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.8 feet). The LC’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the Emira’s (35.4 feet vs. 35.8 feet).

The LC Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Emira doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the LC 500h is quieter than the Emira:

	LC	Emira
At idle	42 dB	51 dB
Full-Throttle	83 dB	84 dB
70 MPH Cruising	71 dB	75 dB

The LC has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Emira can only carry 2.

The LC has 36.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Emira (85.9 vs. 49).

With its coupe body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the LC offers cargo security. The Emira’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the LC. The Emira doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the LC is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Emira. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The LC has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Emira doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The LC’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Emira doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The LC offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Emira doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The LC’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower both of them with the lock engaged. Lotus does not offer a locking feature on the Emira’s standard power windows.

If the front windows are left open on the LC the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Emira can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The LC’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Emira only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The LC’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Emira’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the LC has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Emira doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the LC keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Emira doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the LC’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Emira doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The LC’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Emira doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Lexus LC has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lotus charges extra for Homelink® on the Emira.

Compared to traditional radio, the Lexus LC’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Emira.

The Lexus LC comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lotus Emira isn’t available as a convertible.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the LC first among compact premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Emira isn’t in the top three.