2022 Lexus RC 300

　　

2022 Lexus RC 300 Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuSenior Manager, Written Content

　　Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at zzdcar and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

　　The 2022 Lexus RC 300 is part of the RC lineup that also includes the RC 350 and RC F, which are reviewed separately. If you're looking for a Lexus coupe, the RC and more expensive LC models are your only choices. The RC 300 is the most affordable coupe Lexus offers, but you can still expect the exceptional build quality and luxury Lexus is known for.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 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

　　$185/mo  for RC 300 Base

　　RC 300 Base

　　2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $42,820 MSRP2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $45,510 MSRPF SPORT 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $47,290 MSRPF SPORT 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $49,465 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The RC 300 does a great job looking like a stylish sport coupe (especially the F Sport model), but it drives more like a grand tourer. It's composed around corners but it's more at home cruising the highway. You have two powertrain options to choose from, but neither will get your heart racing. If you need all-wheel drive, the RC 300 has you covered, but for those who don't, rear-wheel drive is standard.

　　If the Lexus RC 300's unique design, comfortable ride and well-crafted interior aren't enough, there are a couple of European luxury coupes to consider. Unlike the RC 300, the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series haven't gone so long without a redesign, and they offer newer tech and other more modern touches. Besides having a difficult-to-use infotainment system and subpar overall performance, the RC 300 has other drawbacks to consider. For a deeper dive into what our testing team thought of the RC 300, check out the zzdcar' Expert Rating below.

　　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 with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. 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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below