Lexus RC: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

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…I’m telling you (as a tech-savvy young dude), it’s incredible. To scroll just move your finger on the surface and to click, push the whole thing in like a MacBook trackpad. It has haptic feedback which, unlike the Blackberry Storm 2 (anyone?) never gets annoying and the pad seems to rest perfectly at the end of the driver’s fingertips. It made navigation inputs, Bluetooth setup, and all the other seemingly tedious tasks when plugging into a vehicle a breeze.

So it’s more of a smooth sailer than an agile fighter pilot, but that can be a good thing, especially if comfort is your priority.

What’s New About The 2016 Lexus RC

The Lexus RC Coupe launched for the 2015 model year, offering only a single trim, RC 350, which could be had in rear or all-wheel drive. Both trims got the same 306 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, though the all-wheel drive model had to do with two fewer cogs in its six-speed transmission.

The new 2015 RC promised to “[meld] audacious design and high performance like no Lexus before,” and Lexus said the new model was a standalone model, not simply a sedan with the roof shopped down. Still, the front section is based on a GS, the middle of the car is based on the Lexus IS C, and the rear floor is based on the new IS sport sedan. It’s basically a hodgepodge of Lexuses.

The new RC 350’s “ultra stiff platform,” LFA-inspired interior and aggressive concept-car like design culminated in a performance coupe that Lexus called “Fast. Agile. Daring.” A rear-drive F Sport RC 350 trim was also available. It offered Adaptive Variable Suspension, a unique interior and exterior design features.

The RC F also launched for the 2015 model year. It represented the return of Lexus’s sporty F models after the departure of the IS F and LFA. Standing for Fuji Speedway where Lexus does its high-speed development, the new F was wider, longer and lower than the RC on which it was based. It got a big V8 engine, an aerodynamic and aggressive exterior design, a limited slip diff, bigger brakes, performance-tuned suspension, and plenty more go-fast goodies.

The 2016 model year brought two new variants to the RC lineup: RC 200t and RC 300 AWD. The RC 200t got a 241-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo inline four mated to an eight speed auto, and the RC 300 AWD got a 255 horsepower version of the 3.5-liter V6 in the RC 350 mated to a six-speed auto. The 200t becomes the new base model, and the RC 300 AWD becomes the least-expensive all-wheel drive variant. In addition, a limited slip differential, performance dampers and orange brake calipers are become options for the RC 200t and RC 350 FWD F Sport.

Powertrain Breakdown

Lexus offers the RC with three different engines: a 2.0-liter turbo, a 3.5-liter V6 or a 5.0-liter V8.

The 2.0-liter found in the RC 200t makes 241 horsepower, while the 3.5-liter makes either 255 horsepower in the RC 300 AWD or 306 horsepower in the RC 350 and RC 350 AWD. The beast of the group, though, is the RC F, whose naturally aspirated 457 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 shoots the car to 60 MPH in just 4.4 seconds. That’s not quite M4 or ATS-V quick, but it’s quick nonetheless.

All RC models get eight-speed automatics except for the all-wheel drive models, which send power through six-speed autos.

Though the RC F is the fastest RC by a large margin, acceleration figures are good across the board. The RC 200t, the least powerful model, gets to 60 MPH in 7.3 seconds, while the slightly more powerful RC 300 AWD runs to 60 a full second quicker. The 350 RWD makes the sprint in 5.8 seconds, and the heavier all-wheel drive version gets there in six seconds flat.

There are no slow Lexus RCs.

2016 Lexus RC Engine Options
Engine	Max Horsepower (hp)	Max Torque (lb-ft)
2.0L Turbo I4	241 @ 5800 rpm	258 @ 1650
3.5L V6	255 @ 6400 rpm (RC 300 AWD) 306 @ 6400 rpm (RC 350)	236 @ 2000 rpm 277 @ 4800 rpm
5.0L V8	457 @ 7100 rpm	389 @ 4800 rpm

Fuel Economy Breakdown

Fuel economy figures aren’t impressive, but they’re not at the back of the pack, either. The RC 200t scores 32 MPG highway and 26 combined. That’s the same as the less powerful Audi A5 and the slightly more powerful ATS, but markedly lower than the 240 HP BMW 4 Series.

The V6 fuel economy figures aren’t great. Not even the two-wheel drive models can score 30 MPG highway, meaning competition from Audi, Cadillac and BMW scores better.

The burly 457 horsepower RC F, on the other hand, does pretty well on the emission rolls, besting the numbers made by Cadillac’s ATS-V and Audi’s RS5, and sitting only a smidgen below the less-powerful M4’s fuel economy figures.

2016 Lexus RC Fuel Economy Ratings (City/Hwy/Comb)
_	2.0L turbo I4	3.5-liter V6	5.0L V8
Six-Speed Automatic	_	19/26/21 (RC 300 AWD)	_
Eight-Speed Automatic	22/32/26 (RC200t)	19/26/21 (RC 350 AWD) 19/28/22 (RC 350 RWD)	16/25/19 (RC F)

Trim Level Breakdown

The Lexus RC Coupe comes in eight main trims: RC 200t RWD, RC 300 AWD, RC 350 RWD, RC 350 AWD and their F Sport variants. Lexus also offers a performance-oriented RC model called the RC F.

Steering for all RCs is electric and suspension is a double wishbone setup in the front and a multilink independent setup out back, with coils at all four corners.

Brakes on the RC 200t, RC 300 AWD and RC 300 AWD F Sport are 11.7-inch vented rotors up front and 11.4-inchers in the back. The other five RC Coupe trims receive 13.15-inchers in the front and 12.2-inch vented discs out back, while the RC F gets even bigger stompers: 14.9-inch slotted and vented rotors grabbed my six piston calipers and four-piston calipers squeezing 13.5-inch slotted and vented rotors in the back.

• RC 200t: Starts at $39,995. Notable standard features: 241 horsepower turbo I4, eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, 18-inch alloy wheels, selectable drive modes, dual-zone climate control, NuLuxe vinyl interior trim, tilt and telescoping steering column, power front seats, backup camera, 256 watt 10-speaker audio system, seven-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth, LED auto-leveling headlights, heated mirrors. Notable options: Luxury Package: perforated leather-trimmed seats, rain-sensing wipers, heated and vented front seats, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, Lexus Memory System, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, auto dimming outside mirrors ($2,990); Navigation Package: remote touchpad, Navigation system, CD/DVD player ($1,530); Premium Package: Heated and vented front seats, blind spot monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, auto-dimming outside mirrors ($1,240); All-Weather Package: headlamp washers, windshied wiper de-icer, high-intensity interior heater, water-repellent front-door glass ($220); 19-inch wheels with summer tires ($795+Premium Package); LED foglamps ($410); parking proximity sensors ($500); Pre-Collision System with all-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control ($500); Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert ($600).
  
• RC 200t F Sport: Starts at $44,100. Notable standard featuresover RC 200t: Premium Package, unique fascia and full-faced mesh grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, sport mode, sport-tuned suspension, aluminum pedals, unique steering wheel and shift knob, unique interior trim, high performance brakes, Lexus memory system, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. Notable options: Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio Package: 17-speakers, subwoofer, remote Touchpad, Navigation System, CD/DVD player ($2,610); Navigation Package ($1,530); All-weather package ($220); Power moonroof ($1,100); LED foglamps ($410); parking proximity sensors ($500); Pre-Collision System with all-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control ($500).
• RC 300: Starts at $42,610. Notable standard features over RC 200t: 255 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, heated front seats. Notable options: Luxury Package: Perforated leather-trimmed seats, rain-sensing wipers, heated and vented front seats, heated steering wheel, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, Lexus Memory System, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, auto dimming outside mirrors($2,700); Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio Package ($2,610); Navigation Package ($1,530); Premium Package: heated and vented front seats, Blind spot monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, auto-dimming outside mirrors ($800); All-weather package ($220); LED foglamps ($410); parking proximity sensors ($500); Pre-Collision System with all-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control ($500); Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert ($600).
• RC 300 F Sport: Starts at $46,310. Notable standard features over RC200 F Sport: 255 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive. Same options as RC 200t F Sport.
• RC 350: Starts at $42,780. Notable standard features over RC 200t: 306 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, eight-speed automatic. Notable options: Same as RC 200t plus Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio Package ($2,610)
• RC 350 AWD Starts at $45,015. Notable features over RC 350: six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive with heated front seats. Similar options as RC 300.
• RC 350 F Sport: Starts at $46,885. Notable standard features over RC 200t F Sport: 306 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, eight-speed automatic. Notable options: Lexus Dynamic Handling System INcluding Dynamic Rear Steering ($1,900); Navigation Package ($1,530); Power moonroof ($1,100); LED foglamps ($410); parking proximity sensors ($500); Pre-Collision System with all-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control ($500).
• RC 350 F Sport AWD Starts at $48,715. Notable features over RC 300 F Sport: 306 horsepower 3.5-liter V6. Similar options as RC 300 F Sport.
• RC F: Starts at $62,805. Notable standard features: 467 horsepower 5.0-liter V8, eight-speed automatic, Torsen limited slip rear differential, performance Brembo brakes, sport-tuned suspension, unique gauge cluster, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust, LED lights all the way around, NuLuxe interior with unique embroidery, power front sport seats with memory, automatic climate control, seven-inch infotainment monitor, 10-speaker 256W audio system, Bluetooth. Notable Options: Performance Package: torque vectoring differential, carbon fiber roof, carbon fiber rear wing, heated and vented front seats, auto-dimming outside mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, Blind spot monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic alert, parking sensors, Lexus memory system, triple-beam LED headlamps, black carbon fiber interior trim ($5,500); Premium Package: Heated and vented front seats, rain-sensing wipers, park sensors, triple-beam headlights, auto-dimming outside mirrors, advanced Blind Sport Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lexus Memory System, black carbon fiber interior trim ($4,400); Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio Package ($2,840); Leather interior trim ($800+Premium Package); Power moonroof ($1,100); parking proximity sensors ($500); Pre-Collision System with all-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control ($500); triple-beam LED headlamps ($1,160).

Which One We’d Buy

The Lexus RC is relatively pricey. Cars with similar ride comfort, but more handling prowess seem to offer more for less. Take the $41,850 BMW 428i. Its 240 horsepower turbo I4 might lead you to think it competes with the cheaper but similarly equipped Lexus RC 200t. But the 4 Series’s acceleration figures (5.7 seconds to 60 MPH) are actually up there with the $42,780 RC 350. And the 428i comes similarly equipped to the RC 350.

Then there’s the Cadillac ATS Coupe, which is not only two grand cheaper than the base RC, but also offers more straight-line and handling performance, and similar standard equipment.

So at its suggested retail price, RC isn’t the best value in the class, but if we could snag a killer deal on one, we’d have no qualms with driving the RC 350 on road trips. It’s thoroughly cozy on the freeway.

[Build Your Own Lexus RC] [Build Your Own Lexus RC F]

Important Facts At A Glance:

MSRP: $39,995-$62,805 [RC 200t-RC F]

Top Speed: 130-170 MPH [(RC 300, RC 350 AWD)-RC F]

Acceleration: 4.4s-7.3 to 60 MPH [RC F-RC200t]

MPG: 16-22 city / 25-32 hwy / 19-26 combined [RC F-RC200t]

Engines: 2.0-liter turbo I4, 3.5-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8

Horsepower: 241-467 [RC 200t-RC F]

Torque: 236-389 lb-ft [RC 300 AWD-RC F]

Curb Weight: 3,737-3,958 [RC 200t-RC F]

IIHS Safety Rating:Top Safety Pick +

Transmissions: 6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic

Drivetrain Layout: Front Engine, RWD/AWD

Photo credit: Michael Roselli (topshot), Lexus (rest)