The 2010 Lexus SC 430 retractable hardtop roadster sports a bulbous body with a power folding hardtop, a big V-8, and a six-speed automatic transmission, and returns for the model year with just a handful of minor changes. It's a surprising return, since the aging sporty convertible has essentially been replaced in the Lexus lineup by the smaller, less expensive Lexus IS 250 C and 350 C convertibles.A 4.3-liter, 288-horsepower V-8 powers the SC 430. It's mated to a six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission with Shift Logic Control. The SC is impressively fast, and the transmission delivers crisp, instinctive shifts. Fuel economy is a decent 16/23 mpg. Handling is fine, but interior space is cramped. Refinement levels are high--and this year, the SC 430 gets a revised navigation system and an updated Mark Levinson sound system with Bluetooth, XM satellite radio, and USB connectivity.
At the end of its life cycle, the SC 430 still gets our recommendation for its folding hardtop, its luxurious cabin, and its effortlessly smooth powertrain. The bathtub styling leaves it wanting, though, and the seats sit too deeply for our comfort. Rear-seat and trunk space are minuscule, too. For nearly the same price, the 2010 Jaguar XK is a clear favorite of TheCarConnection's editors.
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