Some cars wear a facade of sportiness, projecting an image that doesn’t quite align with their true capabilities. The Lexus RC 350 F Sport, now a decade into its lifecycle, falls into this category. Decked out with a black hood that screams performance, it visually borrows cues from the tuner scene, suggesting a level of speed and agility that, unfortunately, it doesn’t deliver. This car might turn heads and even provoke challenges at traffic lights, but beneath the surface lies a grand tourer masquerading as a sports car. It’s a vehicle that prioritizes posing over performance, a characteristic that may leave enthusiasts wanting more from the Lexus badge. Lexus has a strong pedigree in crafting exceptional performance vehicles, evidenced by the legendary LFA supercar, the luxurious LC 500 grand tourer, and the acclaimed GS F sports sedan. However, the RC series, tracing its roots back to the IS sedans of 2006, has never quite reached the same pinnacle of sporting prowess. Astonishingly, this RC 350 F Sport even shares the same engine as the 2006 IS 350, with minimal updates over fifteen years. This lack of evolution exemplifies a certain inertia in Lexus and its parent company Toyota, making the RC a somewhat dated offering in today’s competitive market.
Underwhelming Performance for a Lexus Sports Car
Despite its aggressive styling, the RC 350 F Sport lags significantly behind its six-cylinder rivals in terms of outright speed. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque arriving at a relatively high 4,800 RPM. Coupled with an outdated six-speed automatic transmission, the 0-60 mph sprint takes a leisurely 5.7 seconds. While this might seem respectable on paper, it’s far from rapid in the context of modern sports coupes. For comparison, a BMW M440i achieves the same feat in a mere four seconds. The engine does offer adequate power in the higher rev range, above 4,500 RPM, but below that, it feels noticeably sluggish. Even at 3,000 RPM, throttle response is underwhelming. Disappointingly, this V6-powered Lexus coupe is actually slower than competitors equipped with their base four-cylinder engines, highlighting its performance deficit in the segment. The need to constantly push the engine into its higher rev ranges to extract performance might sound engaging to some, but the sluggish and aging six-speed automatic transmission actively hinders this experience. The limited number of gears, compared to the now-common eight-speed automatics, makes it challenging to keep the engine within its power band, as upshifts cause significant drops in RPM, further diminishing responsiveness. The sporty aesthetics of the F Sport trim, including the body kit, black hood, and interior accents, create a false impression of speed, leading to the realization that the RC 350 F Sport will likely be outpaced by even base four-cylinder Mustangs from a standstill. Adding to the disappointment, the RC 350 AWD exhibits poor fuel economy, averaging only 20 MPG, which is actually worse than the consumption observed in the more powerful V8-equipped IS 500.
Handling Dynamics: More Cruiser Than Corner Carver
The Lexus RC 350 F Sport feels most composed when driven at a moderate pace, around 70% of its perceived limit. Pushing harder reveals limitations in its handling capabilities, manifesting as noticeable understeer and a lack of playful agility. While it’s not expected to be a drift machine, the all-wheel-drive RC 350 prioritizes safe, predictable handling over engaging dynamics, leaning towards the characteristics of a comfortable grand tourer rather than a true sports car. Quick steering inputs induce noticeable body roll, which can become unsettling during transitions on winding roads, even at moderate speeds. The car’s substantial weight, exceeding 4,000 pounds, further contributes to its less-than-agile feel, and the standard tires are not designed for aggressive cornering. The steering, while offering a slight degree of feedback and a pleasant thin leather-wrapped wheel, lacks sufficient weight at higher speeds, and the chassis sometimes feels disconnected from driver inputs during spirited driving. Despite the sporty appearance and F Sport badging, the RC 350 F Sport is ultimately more at home cruising on the highway than tackling challenging corners with enthusiasm.
Interior Comfort Mixed with Cost-Cutting Measures
Inside, the RC 350 F Sport boasts an abundance of supple leather and exceptionally comfortable seats, providing a luxurious and pleasant cabin environment. The yellow accents in this particular model evoke a visual similarity to McLaren’s interior color schemes, further reinforcing the sporty aesthetic, even if the actual performance doesn’t quite match. The cabin is generally well-assembled, exhibiting minimal rattles or squeaks even on rough roads, a testament to Lexus’s renowned build quality. However, closer inspection reveals some surprising cost-cutting measures. Notably, the cruise control stalk appears to be a carryover from models decades old, and the volume knob feels strangely cheap, with a rubbery texture that seems out of place in a vehicle at this price point. The sunroof, while present, features a manually operated, two-piece sunshade that feels clunky and requires more effort than expected to open and close smoothly, detracting from the overall sense of luxury.
Practicality and Technology Concerns
Rear seat space in the RC 350 F Sport is limited, particularly in terms of headroom. Taller passengers will find it cramped, requiring them to tilt their heads at an uncomfortable angle to fit under the sloping roofline. Beyond space constraints, the climate control system exhibited an odd behavior, randomly switching to recirculated air mode even when set to manual outside air intake. This inconsistency, sometimes resetting upon restarting the car, was a peculiar and unwelcome quirk. The trunk occasionally produced a disconcerting creaking noise upon opening, suggesting a potential build quality issue that is uncharacteristic of Lexus vehicles and would likely require a dealer visit for rectification. The infotainment system remains a point of contention, primarily due to the continued use of the cumbersome trackpad controller. While the addition of a touchscreen interface offers some improvement, its implementation feels somewhat half-baked. The touchscreen functionality doesn’t fully replace the trackpad, and certain functions, like adjusting audio settings, still necessitate using physical buttons located away from the screen, indicating a lack of seamless integration. Furthermore, the infotainment system is not the latest version found in newer Lexus and Toyota models, further emphasizing the RC’s technological отставание (lagging behind) and a perceived lack of attention to updates from Lexus.
Conclusion: A Lexus Sports Car for Show, Not Go?
Where the Lexus RC 350 F Sport excels is in its role as a comfortable and refined touring coupe. Its quiet cabin, comfortable seats, and compliant ride quality make it well-suited for relaxed cruising and long journeys. However, this strength also underscores its fundamental contradiction: it presents itself as a performance-oriented sports car, particularly in F Sport guise with its visual enhancements, but ultimately delivers a driving experience that prioritizes comfort and posing over genuine athleticism. In today’s market, a $60,000 sports coupe demands more than just sporty looks; it needs to offer engaging performance to match. The RC 350 F Sport, in this context, becomes a car for those who prioritize image over substance, for drivers who want to project a sporty persona without actually engaging in spirited driving. It’s a vehicle designed to look fast, appealing to those who value appearance over driving dynamics and skill. This disconnect between image and reality may leave driving enthusiasts feeling underwhelmed and questioning the value proposition. This point was driven home when a true Lexus sports coupe, an RC F, pulled up alongside, highlighting the performance gap and making the RC 350 F Sport feel like a mere imitation. For those seeking a comfortable cruiser, better alternatives exist. The Genesis G70, despite being a sedan, surpasses the RC 350 F Sport in nearly every aspect, offering a more engaging driving experience and superior overall value. For those craving a true sports car experience, the BMW M240xi and M440i decisively outperform the RC 350 F Sport, as do offerings from Mercedes-AMG like the C43 and CLA 45. Even the Audi S3 and the upcoming Integra Type S present more compelling performance options in this price range. Furthermore, the Toyota GR Supra and the Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE, while not luxury cars, offer significantly greater driving thrills and performance for a similar price. The market offers a plethora of superior choices for those seeking either genuine sports car performance or luxurious comfort. It’s difficult to pinpoint the target audience for the RC 350 F Sport, except perhaps those who prioritize looking the part above all else, valuing style over driving engagement and the joy of the journey. It represents a triumph of Instagram aesthetics over real-world driving satisfaction.
2023 Lexus RC 350 AWD F Sport Review
As-tested price: $61,430
Pros: Racy aesthetics, comfortable ride
Cons: Sluggish compared to rivals, lacks driving engagement, expensive for its performance
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