Lexus SC 0–60 Times
The Lexus SC 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 14 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Road & Track and more.
The fastest tested Lexus SC is the 1995 Lexus SC Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.00 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 14.30 seconds at 103.3 mph, according to Motor Trend.
The slowest tested Lexus SC is the 1992 Lexus SC SC 300 Coupe, which took 7.80 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 15.80 seconds at 91.1 mph, according to Motor Trend.
Out of all the Lexus SC tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 6.78 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 15.16 seconds at 94.77 mph.
Fastest Stock 0–60
6.10sec
2002 SC 430 Convertible
Fastest Overall
6.00sec
1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe · modified
Avg ¼ Mile
15.16sec
@ 94.8 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
7.80sec
1992 SC 300
Across 14 verified runs, the Lexus SC ranges from 6.00 to 7.80 seconds 0–60, with a 6.78-second average.
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Lexus SC Performance Overview
Lexus framed the SC as a rear-drive grand touring coupe, and across 14 independently verified tests spanning 1992 to 2004, its acceleration data traces a clear shift from early Z30 coupes to the later Z40 retractable-hardtop convertible. The first-generation Z30 (1992–2000) opened with naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE inline-six and 1UZ-FE V8 power, both gasoline-fed, with the 1992 SC 300 Coupe at 7.8 seconds to 60 mph and the 1992 SC 400 Coupe lowering that to 6.7. Mid-cycle testing also captured a turbocharged 2JZ-GTE-powered outlier, the 1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe, which remains the line’s quickest at 6.0 seconds to 60 mph and 14.3 seconds at 103.32 mph in the quarter-mile.
That first era averaged 7.07 seconds to 60 mph across nine tests, with output ranging from 225 to 250 hp in factory form and a broader engine mix than the model would later carry. When the Z40 arrived for 2002, the SC changed format and powertrain focus, moving to the 300-hp 3UZ-FE V8 and a single gasoline configuration. In five tests, the 2002 SC 430 Convertible posted the current-generation best of 6.1 seconds to 60 mph, helping the later cars average 6.26 seconds. Today, the SC’s recorded performance range runs from 6.0 to 7.8 seconds, with an overall average of 6.78.
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Lexus SC 0–60 Times by Generation: Z30 to Z40
2 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z40 | 2002–2010 | 6.26s | 6.10s — 2002 SC 430 Convertible | 5 | The Z40 generation (2002–2010) averaged 6.26 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 2002 SC 430 Convertible at 6.10 seconds. Output was 300 hp across 4.3L V8 configurations. |
| Z30 | 1992–2000 | 7.07s | 6.00s — 1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe | 9 | The Z30 generation (1992–2000) averaged 7.07 seconds to 60 mph across 9 tests, led by the 1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe at 6.00 seconds. Output ranged from 225 to 250 hp across 3.0L I-6, 3.0L Turbo I-6, 4.0L V8 configurations. Includes 1 result from 1 modified vehicle. |
Z40
2002–2010
Avg 0–60
6.26s
Fastest
6.10s
Tests
5
2002 SC 430 Convertible
The Z40 generation (2002–2010) averaged 6.26 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 2002 SC 430 Convertible at 6.10 seconds. Output was 300 hp across 4.3L V8 configurations.
Z30
1992–2000
Avg 0–60
7.07s
Fastest
6.00s
Tests
9
1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe
The Z30 generation (1992–2000) averaged 7.07 seconds to 60 mph across 9 tests, led by the 1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe at 6.00 seconds. Output ranged from 225 to 250 hp across 3.0L I-6, 3.0L Turbo I-6, 4.0L V8 configurations. Includes 1 result from 1 modified vehicle.
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Lexus SC 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
14 tests · 6 years
▾
2004 Lexus SC
1 verified run
Avg 0–60
6.30
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
14.80
sec
Recorded Tests
1
#05
2004 Lexus SC SC 430 Convertible
6.30sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
14.80s
¼ mi @ 97.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.30 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 14.80 sec
- Trap Speed
- 97.0 mph
- Engine
- 4.3L V8
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 5A
- Horsepower
- 300 hp
- Torque
- 325 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,840 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 12.8 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 16 C / 22 H / 20 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Convertible
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #5 of 14
How we verify Lexus SC performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Lexus SC trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Lexus SC 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Lexus SC performance FAQs
11 questions
The 2004 Lexus SC 430 Convertible runs 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Its recorded quarter-mile time is 14.8 seconds at 97 mph. That test car used the 300-hp 3UZ-FE V8 with 325 lb-ft, rear-wheel drive, and a curb weight of 3,840 pounds.
The quickest Lexus SC on record is the 1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe at 6.0 seconds from 0-60 mph. It also owns the model’s best quarter-mile result at 14.3 seconds at 103.32 mph. That car is listed as heavily modified, so it is not the fastest stock SC.
The fastest stock Lexus SC on record is the 2002 SC 430 Convertible, which reaches 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. Across production SC tests, that makes the Z40-generation SC 430 the quickest unmodified version, edging the 2004 SC 430’s 6.3-second result.
Across 14 verified Lexus SC tests, the average 0-60 mph time is 6.78 seconds. Average quarter-mile performance is 15.16 seconds at 94.8 mph. The quickest run is 6.0 seconds, while the slowest recorded 0-60 time is 7.8 seconds for the 1992 SC 300 Coupe.
The Z40 Lexus SC, sold from 2002 to 2010, averages 6.26 seconds from 0-60 mph across 5 tests. Its quickest recorded run is 6.1 seconds by the 2002 SC 430 Convertible. All recorded Z40 examples use a naturally aspirated gasoline powertrain rated at 300 horsepower.
The fastest Z40 Lexus SC on record is the 2002 SC 430 Convertible at 6.1 seconds from 0-60 mph. That makes it the quickest second-generation SC tested. Across all 5 Z40 tests, the generation averages 6.26 seconds, so the 2002 car sits slightly ahead of the group.
The Z30 Lexus SC, sold from 1992 to 2000, averages 7.07 seconds from 0-60 mph across 9 tests. Its quickest run is 6.0 seconds by the 1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe. Z30 cars span 225 to 250 horsepower and include both naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline setups.
The fastest Z30 Lexus SC on record is the 1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe at 6.0 seconds to 60 mph. It is also the fastest SC overall. Because that specific car is heavily modified, the quickest stock SC still comes from the later Z40 generation, not the Z30.
The SC 430 Convertible is quicker on average than the SC 400 Coupe. Across 5 tests, the SC 430 averages 6.26 seconds to 60 mph, with a best of 6.1 seconds. The SC 400 also has 5 tests, but averages 7.04 seconds, with its best run at 6.7 seconds.
The SC 400 Coupe is faster than the standard SC 300 Coupe in the recorded runs. The SC 400 averages 7.04 seconds from 0-60 mph across 5 tests, while the SC 300 Coupe averages 7.47 seconds across 3 tests. Best runs are 6.7 seconds for the SC 400 and 6.8 seconds for the SC 300.
The average Lexus SC quarter-mile time is 15.16 seconds at 94.8 mph across 14 tests. The quickest quarter-mile on record is 14.3 seconds at 103.32 mph by the 1995 Toyomoto SC 300 Coupe. For the current-year 2004 SC 430, the recorded quarter-mile is 14.8 seconds at 97 mph.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
Road & Track
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Lexus SC can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Lexus 0–60 times
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