2021 Lexus RC 350 F Sport AWD: The Brand’s Midsize Luxury Coupe

Highlight:  The RC is available with a variety of powertrains, ranging from a 4-cylinder to an 8-cylinder engine.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $58,605 (Base Model RC 300: $43,295)

Seating Capacity: Lexus’ says 4 (realistically its only designed for 2)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; an electric blindspot monitor with a rear cross traffic alert system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; lane tracing assist system; lane departure with steering assist; intelligent high beam headlamps; a front collision warning system; an automatic braking system; rain-sensing windshield wipers; rear back up camera and first aid kits

Standard Equipment (RC 350): 18-inch wheels; rear wheel drive; 8-speed automatic transmission; a variety of driving modes; a push button ignition starter; steering wheel mounted paddle shifters; a dual zone automatic climate control system; pseudo leather; power driver’s seat with lumbar support; a 8-way power front passenger seat; heated front seats; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; aluminum pedals and a black headliner

F Sport features: 19-inch wheels; all-wheel drive; bolstered front heated and ventilated front seats; Lexus memory system with driver’s front seat; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; heated outside mirrors with automatic tilt down in reverse feature; F sport suspension tuning; an adaptive variable suspension system; LFA-inspired instrumentation with a G-force monitor; a unique front bumper, grill and rear valance

Options: a navigation system; all-weather package: headlamp washers, windshield wiper deicer; weather repellent front-door glass and fast response interior heat; triple beam LED headlights; a 17-speaker, 835-watt Mark Levinson system; intuitive parking assist; a heated steering wheel; a power moonroof; and intuitive park assist

Other Trim Levels:

RC 300 RWD

RC 300 AWD

RC F (Performance Version)

RC F Full Speedway SE

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 10-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD/CD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 70,000 miles

Standard RC 350 Engine/Horsepower: 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder turbo engine/311-hp

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 20-city/28-hwy

What’s New: For the 2021 model year, a new Black Line Edition joins the line up. Moreover, an electronic blind spot monitor with a rear traffic cross alert system is standard across the entire line up.

Why: 

A stylish and sporty exterior design

A driver-oriented coupe

A great alternative to the brand’s LC premium flagship coupe

A great road vehicle for cruising around the city or cross country

Available in a rear wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration

An electronic blind spot system is standard across the line

Compatible with both android and Apple smartphones

A RC 300 gets you into the vehicle for under $43,300, before adding options

Alexa available

One of the remaining models with a standard CD player

A host of standard driving aid features

Racing car-like gauges in select trims

F Sport alters look and drive of the sports coupe

But: 

Cramped rear seating

No manual transmission

RC 300 produces 241-horsepower with its 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine

Navigation system is not standard on base RC 300 trim

The mouse-like touchpad is not as intuitive as we would like.. we recommend using the duplicate steering wheel controls and the radio knobs

A power sunroof is not a standard feature

Verdict: As the market drastically shifts toward crossovers, SUVs and trucks, the RC is literally becoming a diamond in the rough. The RC 350, which is a driver-oriented coupe, continues to be a head turner, although the vehicles hasn’t received any significant styling cues since its arrival in 2015. The well-equipped RC is relatively affordable, especially for it to be a luxury vehicle, while wearing the Lexus badge.

Competition: BMW 4-Series Coupe; Infiniti Q60 and Mercedes-Benz C Class Coupe