LIKES
- Neat styling
- Comfortable, well-appointed interior
- Thrilling RC F
- Good handling and ride
DISLIKES
- Tricky infotainment interface
- Compromised RC 300 performance
- RC F Fuji Speedway is just too much
- Useless cargo capacity
BUYING TIP
The 2022 Lexus RC has big V-8 ambitions of lap times, but the turbo-4s are better at cruising.
What kind of vehicle is the 2022 Lexus RC? What does it compare to?
The Lexus RC is a two-door coupe that scales the heights of performance, from turbo-4 to strapping V-8. Shop it against the Audi A5, BMW 4-Series, and Ford Mustang.
Is the 2022 Lexus RC a good car/SUV?
The Lexus RC does a good job doing sporty coupe things, though a complicated lineup and so-so cargo utility—even for a two-door—dent it to a 6.0 out of 10 on the TCC scale.
What's new for the 2022 Lexus RC?
Changes for 2022 are limited to new wheel designs and another small run for the range-topping—and rather outrageous—RC F Fuij Speedway Edition.
The RC lineup boasts a wide array of engine choices that can alter this car’s behavior. Base RC 300s come with a turbo-4 that’s light on power and refinement. A low-output version of a 3.5-liter V-6 powers all-wheel-drive RC 300s, but we’d still spend up for the RC 350 with its 311-hp version of the V-6. Rear-drive cars use an 8-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive means a 6-speed automatic.
The RC F swaps in a 472-hp 5.0-liter V-8 that offers up excellent performance and an even better soundtrack.
Fuel economy is OK in RC 300 grade, but every other version can get quite thirsty.
Handling-wise, every RC has a balanced feel that mostly belies a curb weight that easily surpasses 4,000 lb. F Sports have adaptive dampers that take the edge off, and we’d also spend up for the optional limited-slip rear differential where available. The carbon fiber package that slices some weight from RC Fs is a major cost, though.
Lexus fits the RC with an especially good array of crash-avoidance and driver-assistance features. The infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its touchpad interface is a constant annoyance. At least other controls are arranged nicely.
How much does the 2022 Lexus RC cost?
The 2022 Lexus RC lineup starts a little under $44,000 for a base RC 300.
Where is the 2022 Lexus RC made?
In Japan.
Styling
Busy, busy, busy: The Lexus RC has a lot going on when it comes to styling.
Is the Lexus RC a good-looking car?
It’s not a subtle coupe—especially in Fuji Speedway trim—but the Lexus RC has interesting enough lines that have aged well. We rate it at 7 out of 10, particularly for its attractive interior.
The RC wears Lexus’ standard vacuum cleaner-grade front end, but its coupe profile is more conventional. Its lines are both taut and flamboyant, depending on where you look. In F Sport guise, zippier-looking bumpers and blacked-out trim give the car an almost sinister look that works well to our eyes.
Performance
The RC350 strikes the best balance between the Lexus name and performance aspirations.
Is the Lexus RC 4WD?
Both RC 300 and RC 350 models can be had with all-wheel drive, which adds quite a bit of heft to an already plump coupe.
How fast is the Lexus RC?
Base RC 300 coupes with rear-wheel drive use a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that spins out a modest 241 hp, good for a somewhat lazy 7.3-second 0-60 mph sprint. The 8-speed automatic is geared to provide quick upshifts and delayed downshifts in the name of fuel savings, which makes this engine feel more lethargic than it ought to be—though a 3,800-lb curb weight doesn’t work in the RC’s favor.
Switching to all-wheel drive means an upgrade—of sorts—to a 260-hp 3.5-liter V-6 linked to a 6-speed automatic. The V-6 is noticeably quicker, but the 6-speed automatic can stumble more with gear changes.
We like the RC 350’s engine more, a 311-hp version of the 3.5-liter V-6 regardless of drive wheels. An 8-speed automatic again does duty with rear-drive versions, while all-wheel drive means a 6-speed automatic. Again, the 8-speed handles this V-6 better, helping it zip to 60 mph in under six seconds.
While not quite as chuckable as a BMW 4-Series coupe, the RC has a planted, grand-touring-type feel and it makes a great interstate mile-eater.
The RC F delivers 472 hp from its roaring 5.0-liter V-8, which sends power rearward via an 8-speed automatic. While not BMW M4 Competition-grade quick, the RC F is priced reasonably and scoots to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds with one of the best underhood wails you’ll find from any car.
A standard limited-slip rear differential helps tame that power for faster, more responsive cornering.
This year’s RC F Fuji Speedway edition looks like a GT3 racecar (and is priced almost as high). Its Brembo carbon ceramic brakes are likely best appreciated on a track, though we like the idea of its titanium exhaust. Lexus says it hits 60 mph nearly 0.3 second faster than the standard RC F, too.
Overall, we give this range a 7 out of 10 on the TCC scale due to its good handling and available powertrains. RC Fs would probably rate a point higher if evaluated individually, but we base our scores on the top-selling versions.
Comfort & Quality
By coupe standards, the 2022 Lexus RC is a spacious, comfortable choice.
Coupes tend not to score highly on the TCC scale, though comfortable front seats and a high-zoot interior elevate this coupe even if its small rear seat dents its overall score to a 6.
Synthetic leather is standard on almost every version of the 2022 Lexus RC, but it does a good job imitating (and maybe even bettering) the real stuff. Power-adjustable front seats can be heated and cooled, and they offer a wide range of support.
The rear seats are best for kids or storage, and access is typical coupe-style tight.
Interior materials are generally excellent, and fit and finish has been top notch on models tested so far.
Safety
The 2022 Lexus RC comes well-equipped with crash-avoidance tech.
How safe is the Lexus RC?
The Lexus RC sells so few cars, the NHTSA hasn’t tested it, but the IIHS gave it top marks in all tests completed so far.
We’ll have to wait for the NHTSA to evaluate the RC and for the IIHS to wrap up its testing, but signs point favorably so far.
Features
The 2022 Lexus RC wants for little when it comes to amenities, but its infotainment is behind the times.
Lexus outfits the RC like a proper luxury coupe when it comes to spec sheet luxuries, but this car’s infotainment system is a downer. The points we give the RC for standard fare and a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty (with a year of maintenance costs covered) are erased by that interface.
The RC is a 6 on the TCC scale.
Which Lexus RC should I buy?
Standard fare includes synthetic leather hides, a 7.0-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a touchpad interface that frustrates at nearly every opportunity.
For about $4,500, the F Sport tosses in unique styling plus adaptive dampers. The package suits this car well.
The RC 350 is outfitted more or less like the 300, except with more power and a $46,500-or-so base price (plus $2,200 for all-wheel drive).
How much is a fully loaded Lexus RC?
The RC F starts at around $68,000, though the Fuji Speedway Edition with its uprated brakes, carbon fiber trim, and other go-fast bits runs about $102,000. You probably missed the boat on one of those, though, since Lexus planned to build just 50.
As for the RC F, packages can dress the interior and exterior in carbon fiber similar to that on the Fuji Speedway Edition to boost the “base” RC F to more than $90,000 if you’re not careful.
Fuel Economy
The 2022 Lexus RC is quick—both in terms of acceleration and fuel consumption.
Is the Lexus RC good on gas?
The base Lexus RC 300 offers acceptable horsepower, but it’s all downhill from there. We base our 4 out 10 score on the RC 300, which checks in at 21 mpg city, 31 highway, 25 combined.
All-wheel drive means a V-6 engine, which slides that version of the RC to just 19/26/22 mpg.
Meanwhile, the RC F is unlikely to hit even 20 mpg.
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