Lexus LC500H vs Range Rover Sport

What's the difference?

For those merely gazing up to the lofty, ivory-tipped towers of high society, it would be easy to think that the mere ownership of a plush, premium vehicle, like the Lexus LC 500h for example, is a reward in and of itself.

The truth, though, is that Australia's premium manufacturers then sweeten the ownership pot even further, often inviting new owners into a secret club filled with tickets to exclusive events, seats at the fanciest of dining tables and concierge-style car maintenance, to name but a few of the perks on offer.

Lexus, though, sits atop the pile when it comes to offering ownership perks to its owners, and now more than ever, with the brand's existing Encore Club today welcoming a new and more-exclusive tier, called Encore Platinum.

We'll circle back to all of this under our 'Ownership' sub heading, but the short answer is that anyone who has bought a RC F, GS F, LX, LS or LC, like this 500h, since January 1 this year is automatically signed up, and is in line for some serious goodies. 

Perhaps the most pressing question, though, is will it be the new ownership program that lures customers into a LC 500h? Or can the luxurious Lexus performance coupe stand on its own four wheels? 

Let's find out. 

The current Range Rover Sport arrived in 2022, the third-generation version of what has been a super-successful model line for Land Rover, combining sleek looks with top-shelf luxury and a wide range of power and model grade options.

On test here is the P460e Dynamic HSE, a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid sitting in the thick of the upper-luxury five-seat SUV market.

We spent a week behind the wheel to see if it has what it takes to put its nose in front of an impressive bunch of European, more specifically, German rivals.