TRY as we might, we often cannot escape preconceptions about newly introduced cars. The freshly minted Lexus LC sports coupe is a case in point.

Reading through the launch information about this two-door Japanese 2+2 grand tourer, one statistic stood out: kerb weight 2020kg. My, we thought, this lardy Two-Tonne Tess is going to handle like a barge and struggle to get out of its own way, especially in its petrol-electric hybrid LC500h form which has peak power of just 264kW.

At least the 5.0-litre V8 version of the LC500 has a respectable 351kW, we noted.

So, we were all prepared to spurn it like a $200,000 Prius when we stepped aboard the LC500h in the visitor parking area at Toyota’s head office in Melbourne. The funny thing is, when we drove back into that same car park a week later, it was with a pang of guilt that we had prejudged this machine. And as we handed the key fob to the receptionist, it was with some reluctance.

You see, the LC500h is much more nimble than we could have imagined, and while it would not see which way a Porsche 911 or Mercedes-AMG GT went, it gets along nicely in all but race track extremes.

Flawless? No way. But for those seeking a satisfying cruiser, not a bruiser, in a surprisingly sexy and well built package, the LC500h is worth a look.