2018 Lexus RC 300
Pros
- Interior craftsmanship is excellent
- The ride quality will provide hours of comfortable touring
- Fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine
Cons
- Overall performance comes up short against rivals
- Infotainment interface is difficult to operate
- Tiny back seats are small, even for children
2018 Lexus RC 300 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Which RC 300 does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
3.5 / 5The 2018 Lexus RC 300 is a comfortable and stylish four-seat luxury coupe. It's a fine companion for both commuting and long-distance driving, and it offers all-wheel drive for enhanced traction in wet or snowy conditions. Beyond that, though, there's not much that we can point to as obvious RC 300 advantages.
Unlike other cars in this class, the RC 300 offers only modest performance. With an estimated 0-60 mph acceleration time of 7.3 seconds, the standard RC 300 with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine lacks pep. The V6-powered, all-wheel-drive RC 300 can do the sprint to 60 mph in a more respectable 6.3 seconds. But at that point you might as well get the even more powerful 311-horsepower RC 350. Whichever powertrain you pick, the RC's handling is dulled by the car's beefy curb weight and its infotainment system disappoints.
The 2018 Lexus RC 300 wins some points for its smooth and quiet road manners. But we think you'll be happier overall with rivals such as the Audi A5, BMW 430i or Mercedes-Benz C300 coupe.
Trim levels & features
The 2018 Lexus RC 300 is a four-seat luxury sport coupe that's available in two different drivetrain configurations. The RC 300 is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (241 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque) and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive RC 300 AWD is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (260 hp, 236 lb-ft) connected to a six-speed automatic. The RC 350, an even more powerful V6 version, is reviewed separately.
Standard RC 300 features include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights (with auto high beams), keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, power-adjustable front seats, simulated leather upholstery, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a 7-inch center display, and a 10-speaker sound system with satellite radio. Also standard is adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, and Lexus Enform communication and remote services.
A number of option packages are offered, although availability can vary depending on where you live. The Premium package adds heated and ventilated front seats, auto-dimming side mirrors, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Luxury package includes those items plus automatic wipers, perforated leather upholstery, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and driver-seat memory settings. The All-Weather package offers headlight washers, windshield wiper de-icer, water-repellent front door windows and a supplementary electric cabin heater.
Other options include a navigation system (with a console-mounted touchpad controller, upgraded voice controls, a 10.3-inch display and smartphone app integration with Destination Search, Yelp, Pandora and iHeartRadio) and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system (must be ordered with the navigation system).
The F Sport package fits the RC with appearance items such as a mesh grille and a unique front fascia along with substantive bits including 19-inch wheels with summer tires, adaptive sport-tuned suspension dampers, upgraded front brake pads and sport front seats. F Sport models also get perforated leather upholstery and trim, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings and a special instrument cluster.
Stand-alone options include a sunroof, upgraded headlights, LED foglights, blind-spot monitoring, a limited-slip differential (F Sport only), and front and rear parking sensors.
Trim tested
Driving
3Acceleration
3Braking
3Steering
Handling
3Drivability
5Comfort
4.5Seat comfort
3Ride comfort
4.5Noise & vibration
5Interior
2.5Ease of use
2Getting in/getting out
3Roominess
3Visibility
3Quality
4.5Utility
3Small-item storage
3Cargo space
3Technology
2Consumer reviews
There are no consumer reviews for the 2018 Lexus RC 300.
2018 Lexus RC 300 videos
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite RC 300 safety features:
- Pre-Collision System
- Warns you if a collision is imminent and will apply the brakes if you don't act in time.
- Blind-Spot/Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts
- Lets you know if there's a vehicle in your blind spot or approaching while you're backing out of a parking space.
- Lexus Enform Safety Connect
- Helps when you need it most with automatic crash notification and roadside assistance.
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2018 Lexus RC 300 for Sale
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See your car's valueThe 2018 Lexus RC 300 is a two-door luxury sport coupe with muscular styling, a high-quality interior and a quiet, smooth highway ride. Shoppers who live in areas with frequent snow or mud will appreciate the standard all-wheel drive, which provides solid traction under a variety of road conditions. And although the RC 300 might not corner like a hardcore sports car, its handling will be more than adequate for most drivers.
The interior of the RC 300 is attractively designed and luxurious. Materials are mostly soft to the touch, and even the few hard plastic parts have an upscale look and feel. The front seats are snug yet very comfortable, but, like a lot of sport coupes, the rear compartment is best reserved for small children. Standard and available technology abound, although controls for the infotainment system and other functions can be difficult to use.
Power for the RC 300 comes from one of two engines. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RC 300 AWD, the all-wheel-drive model, features a 3.5-liter non-turbocharged V6 engine that generates 260 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. It drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with standard paddle shifters. The EPA rates fuel economy for the 2018 RC 300 at 26 mpg combined (22 city/32 highway) and the RC 300 AWD at 21 mpg combined (18 city/24 highway).
On the road, the RC 300 has acceleration that's not spectacular, but it is more than adequate for highway passing and will likely satisfy the majority of drivers. It's also more of a comfortable tourer than an ambitious corner-carver. But you can upgrade handling via the F Sport package, which adds an adaptive sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels and performance tires, and upgraded brakes.There's also perforated leather upholstery and some unique exterior trim pieces.
The RC 300 comes in one very well-equipped trim level, with such standard features as keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, an infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, and power-adjustable, heated front seats. The Premium package and Luxury package add a variety of comfort and convenience items. As noted, the F Sport package brings a sport suspension and additional interior appointments. Whatever your preference, let Edmunds help you find the 2018 Lexus RC 300 that best meets your needs.
2018 Lexus RC 300 Overview
The 2018 Lexus RC 300 is offered in the following submodels: RC 300 Coupe. Available styles include 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A).
What do people think of the 2018 Lexus RC 300?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Lexus RC 300 and all its trim types. 0 Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 RC 300.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Lexus RC 300 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 RC 300 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2018 Lexus RC 300?
2018 Lexus RC 300 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
The 2018 Lexus RC 300 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $47,659. The average price paid for a new 2018 Lexus RC 300 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) is trending $5,497 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $5,497 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$42,162.
The average savings for the 2018 Lexus RC 300 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) is11.5% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 3 2018 Lexus RC 300 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
2018 Lexus RC 300 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2018 Lexus RC 300 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2018 Lexus RC 300s are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Lexus RC 300 for sale near. There are currently 7 new 2018 RC 300s listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $48,925 and mileage as low as 6 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Lexus RC 300. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $6,138 on a used or CPO 2018 RC 300 available from a dealership near you.
Can't find a new 2018 Lexus RC 300s you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Lexus RC 300 for sale - 3 great deals out of 11 listings starting at $24,068.
Find a new Lexus for sale - 12 great deals out of 18 listings starting at $15,822.
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Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2018 Lexus RC 300?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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Related vehicle information
2018 Lexus RC 300 Information
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