Used 2022 Lexus RC

Most of the Lexus models you see on the road are practical sedans and crossovers. However, there’s some excitement in this luxury brand that’s best known for safety and reliability. The Lexus RC is a sporty coupe with sleek styling and an exciting available V8 engine that still retains the brand’s virtues like a high-quality interior and excellent safety scores.

One thing we like about the RC is the variety in its model range. The base RC 300 RWD model has a frugal turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the RC 350 has a more potent 311-horsepower V6, and the muscular RC F has a 472-horsepower V8 that gives it the best power-to-weight ratio in its class. This variety allows you to choose the suitable model for you based on your budget and your appetite for performance.

The RC isn’t a cheap car, but it’s a value choice in this segment because of its long list of standard features and relatively affordable starting price. That said, its German rivals offer a more engaging driving experience.

Driving the 2022 Lexus RC is a more rewarding experience than driving the average Lexus sedan or crossover, but some of its rivals are more engaging. An enthusiast will likely have a greater appreciation for a car like the Audi A5 or BMW 4 Series, but we’d hardly call the RC a bore. The base engine in the RC 300 leaves a bit to be desired, but the 311-horsepower V6 in the RC 350 gives this coupe more punchy performance.

The RC F turns up the heat. It’s powered by a naturally aspirated V8 engine, which has become uncommon in this class. With 472 horsepower, the RC F has the best power-to-weight ratio in its class. The result is the performance of a muscle car in a refined, luxurious package. This is a powerful coupe that’s comfortable enough to drive to work every day.

If you want a more fun-to-drive RC but don’t have the budget for an RC F, you’ll like the F Sport models. On top of an aggressive appearance package, these models come with performance upgrades like adaptive variable suspension, performance brakes, and an available limited-slip differential.

A small coupe like this usually compromises comfort for performance. However, the Lexus RC doesn’t forget that it’s a luxury car. The ride is smooth and compliant, making it comfortable enough for long-distance road trips. However, the trunk and the back seats are awfully tight, so this isn’t exactly a family car.

The interior of the Lexus RC meets the high standard of the Lexus brand. It boasts a handsome design and high-quality materials. Simulated leather upholstery comes standard, and genuine leather is optional. Its generous list of standard interior features includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver’s seat, 10-speaker audio, and more.

An available Premium Package for the base trim adds luxuries like heated and ventilated front seats, a power steering column, and memory settings.

The F Sport models and the RC F have a sportier interior design. Upgrades include sliding gauges and sport front seats with more aggressive bolstering. The leather-wrapped steering wheel has contrast stitching and a subtle “F” or “F Sport” emblem.

The seating space in the front is generous with legroom, but taller passengers might find the headroom lacking. The two back seats are cramped, even for children, and the trunk space is tight, too.

The sleek styling of the Lexus RC demands attention. The standout styling employs the characteristic Lexus spindle grille, a sharp light signature, and stylish wheel designs. The look gets more aggressive in the F Sport and RC F models. The RC looks excellent as a hardtop coupe, but we’d like to see a convertible option.

The size of the Lexus RC is similar to the Infiniti Q60 and the 2-door versions of the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series. Its small size helps give it agile handling and makes it easy to park, but you compromise with snug back seats and a small trunk to get a sleek, compact body.

V8-POWERED RC F
An old-school, naturally aspirated V8 engine gives the Lexus RC F the best power-to-weight ratio in this class.

F SPORT
The F Sport package available for the RC 300 and RC 350 upgrades the aesthetics and performance of this coupe while keeping the pricing reasonable.

A generous list of standard features is part of what makes the Lexus RC a good value in compact luxury coupes. Standard features include a turbocharged inline-4 engine, rear-wheel drive, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, and a power driver’s seat.

The standard infotainment system is a 7-inch screen with a touchpad controller. It’s loaded with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It comes with two USB ports and a 10-speaker audio system.

The standard Lexus Safety System+ includes driver assistance tech features such as a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and automatic high-beams.

An available Premium Package for the RC 300 adds heated and ventilated front seats, a memory system, heated and auto-dimming mirrors, a power-adjustable steering column, and rain-sensing wipers. A Navigation Package also upgrades the infotainment system to a 10.3-inch screen with dynamic navigation and available Mark Levinson premium audio.

Upgrading to the RC 350 gets you a 311-horsepower V6 engine and similar standard feature content as the RC 300. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on both the RC 300 and RC 350.  If you add AWD to the RC 300, you get a 260-horsepower V6.

The F Sport package available for the RC 300 and RC 350 models makes it look more like the V8-powered RC F. It also gives you performance brakes, adaptive variable suspension, and an available limited-slip differential, making it more than just an appearance package. F Sport also adds the contents of the aforementioned Premium Package.

The Lexus RC F is powered by a mighty 5.0-liter V8 engine making 472 horsepower. On top of the engine upgrade, the RC F has adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, a Torsen limited-slip differential, a speed-activated rear spoiler, launch control, and sliding gauges.

The available Premium Package for the RC F adds the contents of the Premium Package for the lower trims plus genuine leather seating, a heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear center armrest. A pricey Carbon Package adds the contents of the Premium Package plus a carbon fiber roof, front spoiler, rear wing, and interior trim.

An RC F Fuji Speedway Edition adds an exclusive Electric Surge paint job, carbon-ceramic brakes, a titanium exhaust, and generous use of carbon fiber. Production is limited to just 50 units, so act fast if you want one.

The base engine of the Lexus RC 300 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4. It’s pretty good on gas, but the performance is a bit underwhelming. Adding AWD to the RC 300 gets you a 260-horsepower V6, but it makes a pretty significant impact on fuel economy.

A 311-hp V6 powers the RC 350, and it’s available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or AWD. The RC 350 brings the performance up to where you’d expect it to be for a sporty-looking luxury coupe. There’s always a fuel economy penalty when you add AWD, but it’s significant in the case of the RC 350.

Finally, the RC F is powered by a brawny 5.0-liter V8 engine cranking out 472 horsepower. The same engine powers the limited production RC F Fuji Speedway Edition. The V8-powered variants of the RC are RWD-only.

The RWD models of the RC use an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the AWD models use a 6-speed. Unfortunately, there’s no manual transmission option for the RC.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (RC 300)
241 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,650-4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg

3.5-liter V6 (RC 300 AWD)
260 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg

3.5-liter V6 (RC 350)
311 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
277 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg (RWD), 18/24 mpg (AWD)

5.0-liter V8 (RC F)
472 horsepower @ 7,100 rpm
395 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg