2025 Lexus RC

The 2025 Lexus RC isn’t the most driver-focused compact luxury coupe, but it compensates in other ways. Pricing starts at $46,445.

We admire the 2025 Lexus RC for its quality, the fact that it’s another automotive choice, and for the extremely entertaining RC F version. It’s just that our admiration hasn’t ever grown into anything deeper. Then again, many people who have experienced the RC on a long-term basis — like the writers of our numerous owner reviews — think it’s a superb small luxury coupe and would absolutely recommend it. That’s the thing about Lexus vehicles in general — they’re easy to live with because of their refinement and dependability.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury coupes, including the Lexus RC.

This is the last year of production for the RC (which launched for the 2015 model year), with no replacement in sight. To underline this fact, the high-performance RC F comes as a Final Edition model. Rear-drive F Sport versions of the RC have red paint on their brake calipers, as opposed to last year’s orange.

We recommend the RC 350, with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) if required. A lot of buyers also choose the F Sport treatment.

It would be great if there were more rivals, because we think small luxury coupes are generally quite appealing. As it is, the main alternatives are the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz CLE — both starting higher than the RC. Anyone looking at the high-performance RC F should also consider the BMW M4, which actually begins below its Lexus counterpart.

Before buying a new RC luxury coupe, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. According to our data, resale values are above average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The rear-wheel-drive RC 300 has 241 horsepower. With all-wheel drive, the RC300 enjoys 260 hp. The former will take a relatively leisurely trot from standstill to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, the latter is quicker by a second. To compare, the BMW 430i is zippier by at least a second.

For empty-nesters rediscovering the joys of driving after years of doing the school run, an RC could be a gentle way of getting back into the metaphorical saddle. After a while, though, the RC 300 might start to feel like a walk on the mild side.

The RC 350 brings a more muscular 311-hp V6 to the mix. It revs with a smoothness that matches the ride quality. Now we’re talking luxury coupe. F Sport versions (of both the 300 and 350) bring adaptive suspensions and upgraded brakes. The RC 350 is still not that quick though, trailing the base BMW 4 Series by at least half a second.

Beyond luxury is the performance of the V8-powered RC F. This is rapid, accelerating from standstill to 60 mph in a fleeting 4.2 seconds, thanks to 472 hp. The handling is poised yet predictable. Because the RC F is so easy to drive, it can take the stress out of driving on a track. However, and this is a significant however, we’ve found Lexus cars to lack that last bit of finesse and fluidity enjoyed by BMWs.

Fuel Economy

With rear-wheel drive, the RC 300 achieves 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The all-wheel-drive RC 300 earns 22 mpg combined. For comparison, the rear-drive BMW 430i Coupe is rated at 31 mpg combined.

The RC 350 manages 23 mpg combined (rear-wheel drive) or 22 mpg (all-wheel drive). The RC F returns 19 mpg combined. All Lexus RC engines require premium 91-octane gasoline.

Those small rear seats may come in handy one day, but let’s not criticize a compact coupe for lacking space back there. If people wanted to drive around with other people, they’d buy a sedan, SUV, or minivan. Likewise with the small trunk. It doesn’t need to hold a week’s groceries for a family of four. Perhaps a golf bag or two. Job done.

Comfort levels in the front seats are good enough for long trips, and finding the ideal driving position is quick and easy. Simulated leather seating surfaces (perforated) are standard, with real leather coming in the pricier variants. A Premium package for the RC 300 includes heated/ventilated front seats and a power-adjustable steering column.

The RC coupe’s build quality is of the usual Lexus high quality. We’re grateful that blind-spot monitoring is standard, because the wide rear pillars hinder over-the-shoulder vision.

Whatever each person thinks of the RC’s looks, it does at least make a change from the many SUVs out there with its typical coupe silhouette. We were never huge fans of the huge Lexus grille approach, though, and we think this feature shows how the RC was a product of a time that has come and gone.

Infotainment system
The Lexus RC has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, plus Amazon Alexa compatibility. The standard screen measures eight inches diagonally, while Lexus offers a 10.3-inch screen as well.

Intuitive Parking Assist
Just a fancy term for rear parking sensors, but we think it’s a worthwhile option for the RC and its wide rear pillars.

All-wheel drive
A great help when negotiating tricky conditions. If we were going with all-wheel drive, we’d prefer to get the RC 350 for the extra power.

Rev matching
Although every RC has an automatic transmission, it also comes with a rev-matching feature — a pre-programmed blip of the throttle to smooth out the downshifts. This is cool when using the paddle shifters.

Mark Levinson audio
One of the many highlights of Lexus ownership is the ability to enjoy a crisp and clear Mark Levinson audio system. A 17-speaker/835-watt surround-sound setup is on the RC’s options list or standard in the RC F Final Edition.

RC F Final Edition
This range-topping (yet admittedly expensive) model comes with a carbon fiber roof (to save weight) plus an adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, and an active rear wing. We also love the V8 in this car.

Same name, different engines. That’s the story of the RC 300 with rear-wheel drive and the RC 300 with all-wheel drive. The rear-drive version has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, while the all-wheel-drive counterpart employs a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6.

Output is quite similar: 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque (turbo 4-cylinder) and 260 hp with 236 lb-ft of torque. Even though the all-wheel-drive RC 300 has more horsepower, it has less torque (which is perceived as thrust) and the extra weight of the all-wheel drive system.

A 3.5-liter V6 propels both variants of the RC 350 to the tune of 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.

The RC F deploys rear-wheel drive exclusively and packs a meaty 5.0-liter V8 that generates 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque.

Models with rear-wheel drive have an 8-speed automatic transmission, those with all-wheel drive are paired with a 6-speed automatic. Both have shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel, allowing drivers to change gears whenever they so desire.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-car warranty from Lexus lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first — the same terms as other luxury marques such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Powertrains are covered for six years or 70,000 miles, which is better than those German rivals. The first two services — at six months/5,000 miles and 12 months/10,000 miles — are complimentary.

Safety Ratings

The RC earned top scores of Good in a few crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) but has no accolades beyond that. It has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, plus blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.