2023 Lexus RC F Coupe

　　

2023 Lexus RC F 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.

　　The Lexus RC F is a rear-wheel-drive high-performance luxury coupe that's propelled by a vigorous V8. The engine is shared with the IS 500 sedan and the more expensive LC 500 coupe and is the RC F's centerpiece. It's a non-turbocharged unit that delivers something not all of its rivals can: a captivating soundtrack that will make you want to stomp on the gas pedal forever.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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) - $66,695 MSRPTrack Edition 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 8A) - $99,570 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　As aggressive and sporty as the RC F looks, it's not a full-bore sports car. Instead it's a comfortable and luxurious grand tourer. Its heavy weight and aging platform hold it back from having the handling dynamics of a genuine sport coupe. The eye-wateringly expensive Track Edition tries to remedy that by reducing weight and increasing agility, but it still falls behind a comparably priced sports car.

　　The RC F is priced below most of its rivals and is a compelling choice if you prioritize comfort and a euphoric-sounding V8. But if you're looking for a striking European sport coupe, consider the BMW M4. The Audi RS 5 is another rival and an all-around solid performer. Or go the American route with the Chevrolet Corvette, a performance monster that provides lots of comfort. To learn more about the RC F's strengths and shortcomings, check out the Expert Rating below for an in-depth review.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar drove a 2015 Lexus RC F for 10,000 miles over a course of six months. There have been several improvements since then, but it's the same generation and essentially the same car. Read our long-term test to see what we thought of the RC F's performance, comfort, fuel economy and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Please note that this rating is based on a prior year and may change slightly once we test the RC F's updated touchscreen for 2023.

　　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

　　6.9

　　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 a newer 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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below