2021 Lexus RC 350 Review

　　

2021 Lexus RC 350 Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2021 Lexus RC 350 is an eye-catching luxury sport coupe that leans more toward comfort than all-out performance. The Lexus RC has been on sale since 2015 and has gotten a few refreshes over the years. Updates for 2021 include the new Black Line Special Edition. Limited to just 350 units, it comes with some special interior and exterior styling details plus a set of custom luggage. The rest of the RC carries over unchanged. While the RC 350 isn't as sporty as its design might suggest, its well-crafted cabin is quieter and more comfortable than the interiors of many competitors.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 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

　　$200/mo  for RC 350 Base

　　RC 350 Base

　　2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $45,150 MSRP2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $47,315 MSRPF SPORT 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $49,620 MSRPF SPORT 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $51,230 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Its main rivals all hail from Germany. The new BMW 4 Series is the latest addition to this class. Its schnoz is as striking — and divisive — as the RC 350's spindle grille. Looks aside, we found the new 4 Series to be sporty and athletic without compromising comfort. The Audi A5 was just updated too, with revised looks and an updated infotainment system. Then there's the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe. It's as old as the RC 350 but, like the Lexus, it doesn't feel all that dated when you slip behind the wheel. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth evaluation on this year's RC.

　　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.

　　Average

　　7.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the RC 350 drive? Outright performance isn't the game the RC 350 prefers to play. Accelerating to 60 mph takes 6.2 seconds. That's not as quick as most of its competition, especially those fitted with six-cylinder engines.

　　The F Sport's available summer performance tires return fairly good braking and handling numbers should you decide to drive with some gusto. The car responds well to steering inputs but lacks the eagerness to change direction you might expect in a sport coupe. Much of that comes down to the RC's 3,800-pound curb weight. But the RC 350 will inspire confidence and is ultimately easy to handle at the limit.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the RC 350? Tight interior aside, the RC provides the level of suppleness you'd expect from a luxury brand. The well-bolstered seats help keep you in place while cornering, but the bolsters aren't so large that they make the seats uncomfortable.

　　The stiff, sporty ride matches the RC 350's visuals. In short, it's busy over less than perfect surfaces and can be tiring over longer drives. The RC 350 is pretty quiet, though. Road and wind noise is minimal at any speed.

　　

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 who 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 the 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 large entertainment screen looks impressive, but it's frustrating to operate. It locks out many functions while the RC is in motion — that might be a good thing because of how cumbersome it is. Phone integration now includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay at least. And the optional Mark Levinson audio system sounds terrific.

　　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? The RC's trunk is one of the smallest in this class. You can get more room by lowering the rear seats, but you can't do so from the trunk. You have to climb into the back to reach the release switches.

　　The center console has just enough room for a few phones. The door pockets fall on the smaller side of the spectrum, and there are just two cupholders. Outside of these options, the back seat becomes the main storage space for larger bags and sports water bottles.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? With an EPA combined rating of 23 mpg, the rear-wheel-drive RC 350 returns slightly below average fuel economy for the class. Adding all-wheel drive lowers that number further. Competitors with similar performance are able to achieve better highway mpg. We averaged 20.7 mpg over the course of 365 miles in our test car.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the RC 350 a good value? The RC boasts meticulous attention to detail. The interior panel gaps are uniform throughout, 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 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

7.0/10

　　It's tough to classify the RC 350 since it straddles the line between a grand tourer and a sport coupe without embodying either particularly well. But that's not to say it's without merit. There's some flash to the design both inside and out, and the engine delivers pleasing performance without any fuss.

　　

Which RC 350 does zzdcar recommend?

The 2021 RC 350 is available in two trims, and we suggest going with the top-level F Sport model with rear-wheel drive. It adds features such as an adaptive suspension, and it's available with performance options including a limited-slip differential that helps the RC 350's handling match its sharp styling.

　　

2021 Lexus RC 350 models

The 2021 Lexus RC 350 is available in two trim levels: base and F Sport. Both are powered by a 3.5-liter non-turbocharged V6 engine (311 hp, 280 lb-ft) that sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on both models. The turbocharged four-cylinder RC 300 and high-performance RC F are reviewed separately.

　　Base

　　The base RC 350 comes fairly well equipped from the get-go. Standard features include:

　　18-inch wheels LED headlights and taillights Keyless entry with push-button start 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat Heated front seats (all-wheel-drive models) Dual-zone automatic climate control 7-inch infotainment screen Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa and Android Auto integration Two USB ports In-car Wi-Fi with three-month subscription 10-speaker audio systemStandard driver aids include:

　　Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Automatic high beamsLexus offers a handful of options such as:

　　Black Line Special Edition Triple-beam LED headlights 19-inch black chrome wheels Black upholstery with silver stitching Wood interior trim Zero Halliburton luggage Navigation package 10.3-inch infotainment screen Navigation In-dash CD and DVD player Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio package Navigation package features 17-speaker audio system with subwoofer Aluminum control knobs Premium package Heated and ventilated seats Heated, auto-dimming exterior mirrors Rain-sensing wipers Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Moonroof Heated steering wheelF Sport

　　The F Sport builds on the standard RC 350 with features including:

　　F Sport-tuned adaptive suspension Upgraded brakes 19-inch wheels F Sport steering wheel F Sport front seats Heated and ventilated seats Heated, auto-dimming exterior mirrors Rain-sensing wipers Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Aluminum pedals Black headlinerOptions include those available on the base RC 350, but the F Sport also offers a few performance options such as:

　　Lexus Dynamic Handling System (upgrades suspension and adds rear-wheel steering for improved handling) Torsen limited-slip rear differential for improved traction (rear-wheel-drive models)

　　

2021 RC 350 Highlights

Trim: BaseF SPORTBase

　　

Base MSRP	$45,150
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$200/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles