2020 Lexus RC F Review

　　

2020 Lexus RC F Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　While most of Lexus' lineup is less Nürburgring and more suburban ring road, that doesn't mean the company can't make a sports car. Take the 2020 Lexus RC F, for example. Based on the relatively street-friendly RC coupe, the RC F dials it up with more power, an exhilarating soundtrack, a stiffer suspension and a more chiseled look.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lexus RC F 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 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

　　$241/mo  for RC F Base

　　RC F Base

　　2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $64,900 MSRPTrack Edition 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 8A) - $96,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　For most drivers, it's the non-turbocharged V8 that'll be the biggest draw. Compared to last year's model, it produces a little more power and torque — now 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque thanks to small changes to the intake and programming. A slightly shorter final drive ratio (from last year's 2.97:1 to this year's 3.13:1) also increases the feeling of acceleration.

　　Equally as important as the increase in power is the decrease in weight. Changes to numerous components, such as a lightened intake manifold, a smaller air-conditioning compressor,  aluminum suspension parts in place of steel parts, composite rear bumper support, and hollow axles, all help decrease the RC F's weight by a reported 55 pounds, to 3,902 pounds.

　　If you're looking for a more aggressive experience, the limited-production RC F Track Edition further reduces weight thanks to a judicious use of carbon fiber, carbon-ceramic brake rotors, lightweight 19-inch wheels and a titanium exhaust. Visually, the Track Edition is equipped with a much more prominent rear wing as well as a subtle front splitter to draw air away from the underside of the body.

　　The RC F is indeed more appealing as a daily driver rather than a track toy. Even with its improvements this year, the RC F's performance isn't as exciting as what you can get from other performance coupes such as the BMW M4, the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Shelby GT350. But if you're mostly interested in a mix of street-friendly comfort and performance, the 2020 RC F should satisfy.

　　

What's it like to live with the RC F?

zzdcar' editorial team acquired and lived with a 2015 Lexus RC F for six months, logging over 10,000 miles. We fell in love with the RC F's powerfully smooth V8 engine and attractive cabin but found its infotainment system clunky and distracting to use.

　　The 2020 Lexus RC F differs from our long-term RC F in that it receives a slight power bump, tweaks to its suspension, and a weight reduction of about 55 pounds. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply. Read our long-term RC F test to learn more about everything from seat comfort to real-world fuel economy.

　　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

　　6.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the RC F drive? The RC F comes with a responsive 472-hp V8, a trick active rear differential and an adaptive suspension. But none of it can fully overcome the RC F's beefy curb weight. We've yet to test the updated 2020 RC F, but in testing a 2018 model we were able to do 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. That's not slow in the broader scheme of things but slow for the category.

　　But it's not all doom and gloom: The engine sounds great when pushed, and the RC F is one of the few remaining V8-powered coupes on the market. The RC F's braking performance is also competitive in the sports car class, and the transmission responds quickly to shift requests from the paddle shifters.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the RC F? Comfortable front seats and good insulation from the sound of surrounding traffic are highlights, adding to the grand touring character of the car. The front seats also provide ample bolstering for aggressive driving and have effective heating and ventilation. The adaptive suspension does a good job taking the edge off bigger bumps and making the ride more compliant. It's still firm but it smooths out road imperfections enough to keep it comfortable on long drives.

　　The climate system's automatic mode works well. The capacitive-touch temperature controls are responsive, if a bit overeager, and manual adjustments are mostly easy. Unfortunately, more in-depth control requires navigating the frustrating infotainment system.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The RC F has a solidly constructed and upscale cabin. Most drivers will find the seating position to be roomy with enough adjustability for both sporty driving and comfort. Getting in and out is much easier than it is in other sports cars because you don't sit so low in the car. There's good visibility toward the front, though the thick rear roof pillars create blind spots.

　　The back seat is small and nearly unusable by people. Just consider it a storage shelf and you'll be fine. The biggest issue is that the RC F is saddled with one of the worst infotainment interfaces in the industry. Its touchpad system is difficult to use, especially while in motion, and some of the menus are confusing to navigate.

　　

Technology

5.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The optional Mark Levinson stereo is excellent and provides clear sound that doesn't distort with volume. The infotainment screen is clear and can even display helpful things such as live traffic information. But the smartphone integration in the RC F is lacking, especially if you own an Android phone. The integrated voice controls, though they provide a good amount of functionality, are also slow to respond and require following correct syntax.

　　Another area that the Lexus falls distinctly behind is in active driver aids. Adaptive cruise control only works over 25 mph and can't handle stop-and-go traffic. The lane-keeping assist system is weak and loses track of lane lines sometimes.

　　

Storage

5.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The RC F's trunk is one of the smallest in the class, and there aren't many options for in-cabin item storage either. The cupholders, a small console box, a small glovebox, and narrow door pockets are all you get. Overall, there's not a lot of room for your stuff in this car. But at least the trunk opening is wide, and the trunk floor is deep and flat, making what space there is more usable.

　　The rear seats don't fold down, but there is a small pass-through for longer items. Due to the RC F's cramped rear-seat room, child safety seat installation is a challenge.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The RC F's EPA ratings are average for the segment. Our test car averaged just under 20 mpg on our freeway-heavy test loop, which is a bit under what we expected. In everyday driving in traffic, our average dropped precipitously.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the RC F a good value? The RC F is priced competitively with the class, though options can add up. It comes with above-average warranty coverage of any of its main competitors, and it's also built as solidly as you expect from a Lexus. Even the plastics are well-textured or treated so they don't feel tacky. However, it is also the oldest car in its class and offers the least performance for the money.

　　

Wildcard

6.5/10

　　We want to like this car. The comfy seats and sweet-sounding engine are definite highlights. Plus, the sleek and hunkered-down look is distinctive. But driven aggressively, the RC F is ultimately a little disappointing, and daily driving can seem like a punishment due to the compromised utility, driver aids and infotainment.

　　

Which RC F does zzdcar recommend?

If you can find an RC F Track Edition at your local dealer, we say grab it. The low production numbers will make it rarer than Lexus' own hypercar, the LFA. Otherwise, the standard 2020 Lexus RC F provides nearly the same level of performance but can actually be purchased at your local dealer. Add the Premium package for its blind-spot monitoring and front-seat ventilation and the Sound and Navigation audio package for the excellent 17-speaker audio system.

　　

2020 Lexus RC F models

The 2020 Lexus RC F is the high-performance version of the Lexus RC coupe, which we review separately. Specific F version upgrades include a 5.0-liter V8 engine (472 horsepower, 395 lb-ft of torque), a specially tuned eight-speed automatic transmission, a limited-slip differential, an adaptive variable suspension, Brembo upgrade brakes and 19-inch forged alloy wheels. The RC F also gets special styling and sport seats. A more dynamic and limited-edition RC F Track Edition adds lightness, grip and exclusivity.

　　Standard equipment for the RC F includes LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, power-adjustable front seats with memory settings, and simulated leather upholstery.

　　Also standard are the Lexus Display Audio tech interface (7-inch screen and knob controller), Scout GPS Link smartphone-based navigation system, Apple CarPlay connectivity and a 10-speaker sound system.

　　A few option packages are available for the RC F. Notably, the Premium package adds some useful safety-related items. The Performance package gets you the contents of the Premium package plus a carbon-fiber roof and a speed-activated carbon-fiber rear spoiler.

　　The Sound and Navigation package adds more technology features, including a larger display and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. Other stand-alone options are upgraded LED headlights, a sunroof and a torque-vectoring rear differential.

　　

2020 RC F Highlights

Trim: BaseTrack EditionBase

　　

Base MSRP	$64,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$241/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles