2020 Lexus RC 300 Review

　　

2020 Lexus RC 300 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　There are sports cars and then there are sporty cars. The 2020 Lexus RC 300 falls into the latter category. It has plenty of style but not enough performance to match its appearance. In return, you'd expect it to favor comfort over athleticism. But that's not entirely true either since the RC doesn't enjoy a significant advantage in that category.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lexus RC 300 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$189/mo  for RC 300 Base

　　RC 300 Base

　　2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,295 MSRP2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $43,985 MSRPF SPORT 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $46,365 MSRPF SPORT 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $48,540 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　With this in mind, the RC 300 coupe is best thought of as a decent luxury coupe with a dash of style. It's the base model in the RC lineup and has a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine. If you want more power, there's the midlevel V6-powered RC 350 or the throaty V8-powered RC F. But you can also stick with the 300 and enjoy its lower price and higher fuel economy.

　　We award the RC 300 points for its well-built interior and quiet ride. You might also like that Lexus prices the RC thousands less than similarly equipped luxury coupes. But besides the lack of performance, the RC also suffers from a frustrating infotainment interface and tiny rear seats. Overall, rivals such as Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are more usable for daily use and eclipse the RC for all-around desirability.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　7.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the RC 300 drive? The RC is a satisfactory driver. It's slower than most luxury coupes, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.3 seconds. But the steering wheel delivers pleasing feedback from the road and the front tires. It keeps straight and stable on the freeway, and it doesn't require correction when you turn into a corner.

　　We tested the RC 300 F Sport. Performance-oriented summer tires allow the RC to maintain high speeds through corners. Thanks to the car's stable nature, you'll end up going down twisty roads more quickly than you'd expect. But the overall vibe you'll get is that of a competent cruiser rather than a sport coupe.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the RC 300? Space limitations aside, the RC provides the refinement and quietness expected from a luxury brand. The large side bolsters on the F Sport's seats help keep you in place while cornering. The non-adjustable bolsters aren't so large that they make the seats uncomfortable, but larger occupants might feel a bit tight. The cushions are firm, but we experienced little fatigue on long drives.

　　The F Sport's adaptive dampers excellently balance softness with control over the 19-inch wheels. You only notice road imperfections when you should. Switching into the sport settings creates appreciable differences in ride quality. The RC is best suited to the default setting.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The RC is one of the larger luxury coupes in the segment, but it has the smallest interior. We struggle to think of whom the rear seats would serve. Even small children will find the lack of rear legroom a problem. As with many coupes, the RC's long doors can be an issue in tight parking lots.

　　It takes a while to get used to the layout of the center stack's organization and use of multiple types of inputs — both physical and touch-sensitive — but it makes sense after practice. The touchpad that controls the entertainment system requires too much attention from the driver.

　　

Technology

6.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The optional Mark Levinson stereo sounds fantastic. The wide 10.3-inch entertainment screen looks good, too. Alas, the software is awkward to operate and behind the curve in terms of features. What's worse, you can't use many functions while moving. You're better off using your phone through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

　　The adaptive cruise control manages speed without needing much driver input. Unfortunately, it doesn't work under 25 mph, so it's ineffective during the most frustrating parts of the commute. You also have to be ready on the brake pedal for when traffic slows and the system stops working.

　　

Storage

6.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Even for a coupe, the RC has tight storage space. The trunk can handle little more than the necessities of a weekend getaway, and the interior has few solutions for large bottles as well as bags and backpacks. You'll find larger and more accommodating interiors and trunks in competitors.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? With an EPA combined rating of 24 mpg, the rear-wheel-drive RC 300 has the lowest fuel economy of its four-cylinder competitive class. Adding all-wheel drive and the required V6 engine drops that figure further. Competitors with similar or greater power achieve better mpg. We averaged 21 mpg overall in our test car.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the RC 300 a good value? The RC boasts meticulous attention to detail. The interior panel gaps are uniform, and the absence of squeaks and rattles provides a sense of quality assembly. Some plastic materials, especially the panel that surrounds the center clock and air vents, look slightly out of place.

　　You'll likely pay less to get an RC 300 compared to some rival coupes, and you get some true highlights for the money, such as the sound system and the build quality. But German competitors offer more performance, interior space and fuel economy for your dollar.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　It's tough to classify the RC 300 since it straddles the line between a grand tourer and a sport coupe without embodying either particularly well. It gets the job of driving done but doesn't go further. That said, there's enough enjoyment in smoothly cruising around in the RC and simply admiring its design.

　　

Which RC 300 does zzdcar recommend?

The rear-wheel-drive RC 300 gets our recommendation for its lighter weight, more torque and better fuel efficiency compared to the V6 that comes with all-wheel drive. The F Sport option enhances the car's handling abilities. But if you're seeking performance, the RC 300 probably isn't the right car for you. Skip the F Sport in favor of the optional Premium package and Mark Levinson audio system.

　　

2020 Lexus RC 300 models

The 2020 Lexus RC 300 comes in two main versions: base and F Sport. Both offer one of two engines. The rear-wheel-drive model is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (241 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) that drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive RC 300 comes with a 3.5-liter V6 (260 hp, 236 lb-ft) connected to a six-speed automatic.

　　Standard feature highlights include LED headlights, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch display, and a 10-speaker sound system. A variety of advanced driver safety aids also come standard.

　　The F Sport fits the RC with appearance items such as a mesh grille and a unique front fascia along with substantive bits. Those include adaptive sport-tuned suspension dampers and sport front seats with heating and ventilation.

　　Several other option packages are offered, although availability can vary depending on where you live. Notably, the Navigation package includes a console-mounted touchpad controller, a 10.3-inch display, upgraded voice commands and integrated navigation. It can also be bundled with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. On the F Sport, you can also add a limited-slip differential.

　　

2020 RC 300 Highlights

Trim: BaseF SPORTBase

　　

Base MSRP	$41,295
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$189/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles