2020 Lexus RC 350

This is the third engine option from the RC line up, while the first two were reserved for the RC 300 and more potent V8 engine kept for the ferocious RC F. The engine drills out 311 horsepower and 280-pound-feet of torque.

Lexus know how to make an impression with its entry-level cars and the Lexus RC is everything that the brand stands for. The design is glitzy but not that hyperbole like on the LC and RC F, which makes it more approachable and open. The RC 350 is offered in two trims and two drive train options and one engine serving both of them. The F sport package adds more spice to the ride quality with mechanical upgrades like sports tuned suspension, sport seats with heated and ventilated seats and more.

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The F Sport package will make you ride sportier, at least that's what Lexus things. THough it does not have any impact on the ride quality. We would recommend you to pair the base RC with Premium package.

“Though far from thrilling, the RC provides satisfactory performance. It's a touch slower than most luxury coupes, but summer tires make for quick handling and short, consistent stops. The steering is pleasing, too. Just forget about the F Sport designation — the only significant addition it brings are the seats”- Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

While the RC 300 gets an optional V6 engine, the 350 keeps it simple with only one engine and two powertrains. Lexus employs a 3.5L Premium Unleaded V-6 engine paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Although it has a similar V6 engine the RC 350 is tuned to crank out more horses. The engine produces a maximum 311 horsepower and 280-pound-feet of torque. Lexus fixed the torque split at 30/70 for the front and rear wheels. It might be the more potent version of the RC but it’s nothing compared to the herculean RC F.

The power delivery is velvety and the accelerator is bound by your wishes though make sure not to ask much of it. The RC 350 is particularly a cruiser as its heavier and slower than the rest of the big sharks. Other aspects of the Lexus are serviceable and does not interfere with the tuneful driving experience. If you have driven the RC 300 before, the RC 350 will stun you with its amplified vehicular instincts.

Acceleration

The RC 350 just like the 300 is not very keen on acceleration. The engine might produce more horses but there is a notable lag as you jab the pedal to the ground. Though the bad start does not affect the rest of the performance, the RC speeds up pretty good, just not enough to beat any of its adversaries. From a standstill, the RC 350 gains 60mph speed in 5.7 seconds. Going further it hits the quarter mile light in 14.3 seconds.

Lexus may compete on paper but the real-life scenario is completely different. Audi A5 with its Inline-4 engine outshines Lexus’s V6 engine, which is a little disappointing for A Lexus buyer.

Ride and Handling

Although Lexus installed all the necessary performance enhancing equipment, the pay-off is not that pleasing. Lexus could have done better on the RC 350, the steering feels numb and does not have any road communication. Even with the additional equipment of the F Sport package the RC anxiously takes corners. Also, the other chassis updates should have opened a new world for the RC but there is no significant change on the coupe’s drivability. After evaluating every aspect of the RC one thing is straight, it’s no sports car material. The RC is rather a boulevard cruise for which it does a pretty nice job though make sure you don’t demand much from the car.

Braking

Braking might be the best virtue of the RC 350. The pedal is pretty pilotable without feeling grabby. During hard braking, the RC does not wobble which gets better with the summer tires on the F Sport package. From the speed of 70 mph, the RC halts to a standstill at 120 feet which is better than other coupes in the lot.

Frugality is not this Lexus best virtue, the V6’s thirst crosses your line of the budget. The V6 engine will yield 20 mpg economy in the city which can be stretched to 28 mpg on the highway. The upper middle class may not be intrigued but compared to the gas-guzzling RC F these numbers are delicious. Then to ferry it with the other cars further adds fuel to the discouragement as other cars deliver more mileage.

“The RC's interior is easy to see out of, easy to climb into, easy on the eyes, and mostly easy to figure out. Alas, it has a poor exterior-to-interior space ratio — especially with regard to the rear seats — and operating the entertainment system is a nuisance”-Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The RC’s interior is everything right about the luxury coupes in the industry and at the same time, it’s not a bulletproof sample either. The interior is comfortable and the low height makes entry and exits easy, though the long gates make parking in tight spaces a tricky job. As for the cabin space, Lexus messed up the interior exterior ratio resulting in cramped rear seats.

Just like the exterior, interior show a great work of art cabin with uniform gaps and minimal rattles. The use of plastic is not much visible and just around the analog clock which may blend with the design but is reminiscing of the past. The RC offers to seat for 4 which itself is a farfetched statement as the rear seats are deprived of any legroom space. Competitors, on the other hand, takes the ball by delivering more pleasing seating conditions.

Infotainment

Lexus’s infotainment is not particularly easy to use. The 7-inch infotainment screen is buried deep into the dash making it difficult to use. There is an option for 10.3-inch split screen display which ease thing a little bit, but the Remote Touch Controller spoils the fun. On top of that, Lexus’s galoot Enform infotainment system feels dated to use. This year you get Apple CarPlay which is a good thing but Android users are left hanging.

Cargo

Even with that long feline body, the RC runs low on utility curve. Its 1.3 cubic feet of space is not just lower than the competitors it can only manage a couple of bags for a two-day trip. The cabin is not much of practical too. You have a central console fit for only carrying the car keys and small door pockets on large doors. The impractical rear seats are the only place you can fit the extra luggage.

“The 2020 Lexus RC maintains its visual intrigue with a few updates, and remains a style standout”- The Car Connection

Design and Styling

Lexus has always avoided those mundane subtle lines which the luxury-oriented cars are known for, they like to go a little creative with their car’s shell. Through the LC doesn’t share the hyperbole stylings as the LC receives, it has an elegant character of its own. Right from the brand-defining Spindle grill to the revised headlamps with daytime running lights makes the design speak for itself, it’s a Lexus after all! The hood remains long and gets the best out of RC’s length, from the sides it looks a little bulky which goes with the story of RC’s heavyweight.

Dimensions and Weight

Taking a page from Lexus LFA’s book, the RC has a peculiar design language. Its entire 184.8 inches long body comprises of aggressive detailing to style. A large hoof, the spindle grille, and fins makes up the most of the design part. From ear to ear the RC’s width accounts for 72.4 inches and the peculiar low stance makes the height at 72.4 inches in total. Compared to other coupes in the war pit, the RC has a smaller wheelbase which eases on the turning radius.

Lexus installs the best of what it has in the safety department with good crash test rating to build the RC 300. The 2020 RC 300 is not completely ready to joust the wall yet but last year’s scores are quite convincing. IIHS gave Lexus its approval by making the RC its Top Safety Pick + award last year and they intend to replicate the results. The standard safety set includes-

• Engine Immobilizer
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Child Seat Anchors
• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Lane Departure Warning Accident Avoidance System
• Front And Rear Head Airbags
• Stability Control
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
• Front And Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes
• 2 Front Headrests
• Dusk Sensing Headlamps
• LED Headlamp
• Auto Delay Off Headlamps
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Blind Spot And Lane Departure Warnings Accident Avoidance System

Audi A5 vs Lexus RC

Audi’s one foot in the future not just influences the A5's styling but also the technology used. Compared to Lexus clumsy infotainment Audi is a life savior and that’s not even the best part. It takes Lexus’s V6 engine to compete against Audi’s Inline -4 engine and outperforms the Japanese. Despite both cars sharing similar dimensions, Audi found a better way to use theirs. The A5’s rear seats are usable while the RC’s seats can only accommodate extra bags.

Genesi G70 vs Lexus RC

Genesis revamped the G70 for 2020 adding more character and updating the feature list. More or less Genesis suffers from the same germ as the RC 350. The rear seats are cramped and infotainment is straight out of Hyundai. Lexus on the RC 350 offers a lot of luxury which the G70 may not match, however, its superior handling makes up for it.

Infotainment remains an issue with both cars, still, Genesis’s extra power makes it a better car between the two.

The 2020 Lexus RC lies in the posh side of luxury coupes. Its berserk styling and king size body makes it a post the worthy car on your timeline, though it’s the only strong point that Lexus has. The RC’s engine is potent but even Audi’s Inline-4 has more muscle than the RC’s optional V6 which is a discouraging factor. But then again it's intended to be a boulevard cruiser than a sporty animal. The cabin has an elegant vibe with decent quality but the inhabitable rear seats ruin the entire experience.

Everything Lexus is rooting for on the RC is already there in the market in a more elegant way. Right from economy to power, and comfort to frugality, you will find better numbers and a better deal on the competitor’s territory.