2023 Lexus RC 350

Price Range: $47,250 - $53,595 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

2023 Lexus RC 350 F SPORT Coupe Exterior. Options Shown.

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The 2023 RC 350 exists in a space between a grand-touring coupe and a sports car. It never really settles into either role, but it does deliver on the luxury coupe experience with excellent build quality and eye-catching styling. A frustrating tech interface and tight interior, however, make it tough to fully recommend.Read full review

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$41,229

2023 Lexus RC 350 Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Excellent interior craftsmanship
One of the quietest cars in its class
Smooth power from the V6 engine

Cons

Overall performance comes up short against rivals
Tiny back seats are small, even for kids
Offers less cargo room than competitors

What's new

A new touchscreen improves the infotainment system
F Sport Special Appearance package debuts
Part of the first RC generation introduced for 2015

Overview

Not every driver craves sports car performance. There are plenty of people who simply want a comfortable vehicle that looks good, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Among luxury coupes, the Lexus RC fills that role with ease. The 2023 Lexus RC 350 represents the middle ground in that lineup, supported by the less powerful RC 300 and capped by the powerful V8-powered RC F.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 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 $3.90 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$207/mo

$161/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

It's been eight years since the RC was introduced, meaning it's overdue for a full redesign if it's to continue. The edgy coupe is showing its age, especially in terms of power and performance, compared to its primary rivals, yet it remains a viable choice for luxury-oriented customers. For 2023, the RC 350 receives a new infotainment touchscreen that replaces the old display. That gives users the ability to control the system with the more common touch controls rather than being stuck with Lexus' frustrating trackpad controller. Also new is a Special Appearance package for F Sport models that debuts a two-tone paint scheme with new wheels.

Even though the 2023 Lexus RC 350 may not be as athletic as some of its German rivals, it should still please more relaxed drivers and cost them less. Competitors such as the BMW 4 Series, Audi S5 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class will set you back a few thousand more and deliver a more modern luxury experience, stronger performance and newer tech items. We cover all of the areas where the RC 350 holds an advantage as well as its liabilities in our Expert Rating below.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds 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.}

Average

7.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8/10

How does the RC 350 drive? Outright performance isn't the game the RC 350 prefers to play. Accelerating to 60 mph takes 6.2 seconds. That's not as quick as most of its competition, especially those fitted with six-cylinder engines.

The F Sport's available summer performance tires return fairly good braking and handling numbers should you decide to drive with some gusto. The car responds well to steering inputs but lacks the eagerness to change direction you might expect in a sport coupe. Much of that comes down to the RC's 3,800-pound curb weight. But the RC 350 will inspire confidence and is ultimately easy to handle at the limit.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the RC 350? Tight interior aside, the RC provides the level of suppleness you'd expect from a luxury brand. The well-bolstered seats help keep you in place while cornering, but the bolsters aren't so large that they make the seats uncomfortable.

The stiff, sporty ride matches the RC 350's visuals. In short, it's busy over less than perfect surfaces and can be tiring over longer drives. The RC 350 is pretty quiet, though. Road and wind noise is minimal at any speed.

Interior

7/10

How’s the interior? The RC is one of the larger luxury coupes in the segment, but it has the smallest interior. We struggle to think who the rear seats would serve. Even small children will find the lack of rear legroom a problem. As with many coupes, the RC's long doors can be an issue in tight parking lots.

It takes a while to get used to the layout of the center stack's organization and the types of inputs — both physical and touch-sensitive — but it makes sense after practice. The touchpad that controls the entertainment system requires too much attention from the driver.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Save as much as $7,316 with Edmunds ^{Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $7,316 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the F SPORT trim.}

2023 Lexus RC 350 pricing in Ashburn, VA

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? The large entertainment screen looks impressive, but it's frustrating to operate. It locks out many functions while the RC is in motion — that might be a good thing because of how cumbersome it is. Phone integration now includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay at least. And the optional Mark Levinson audio system sounds terrific.

The adaptive cruise control manages speed without needing much driver input. Unfortunately, it doesn't work under 25 mph, so it's ineffective during the most frustrating parts of the commute. You also have to be ready on the brake pedal for when traffic slows and the system stops working.

Storage

6.5/10

How’s the storage? The RC's trunk is one of the smallest in this class. You can get more room by lowering the rear seats, but you can't do so from the trunk. You have to climb into the back to reach the release switches.

The center console has just enough room for a few phones. The door pockets fall on the smaller side of the spectrum, and there are just two cupholders. Outside of these options, the back seat becomes the main storage space for larger bags and sports water bottles.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? With an EPA combined rating of 23 mpg, the rear-wheel-drive RC 350 returns slightly below average fuel economy for the class. Adding all-wheel drive lowers that number further. Competitors with similar performance are able to achieve better highway mpg. We averaged 20.7 mpg over the course of 365 miles in our test car.

Value

7.5/10

Is the RC 350 a good value? The RC boasts meticulous attention to detail. The interior panel gaps are uniform throughout, and the absence of squeaks and rattles provides a sense of quality assembly. Some plastic materials, especially the panel that surrounds the center clock and air vents, look slightly out of place.

You'll likely pay less to get an RC compared to some rival coupes, and you get some true highlights for the money, such as the sound system and the build quality. But German competitors offer more performance, interior space and fuel economy for your dollar.

Wildcard

7/10

It's tough to classify the RC 350 since it straddles the line between a grand tourer and a sport coupe without embodying either particularly well. But that's not to say it's without merit. There's some flash to the design both inside and out, and the engine delivers pleasing performance without any fuss.

Which RC 350 does Edmunds recommend?

The F Sport model gets our recommendation since it better fulfills the promise of sporty performance to match the RC 350's sleek shape. The adaptive suspension provides sharper handling without sacrificing ride comfort, along with a long list of convenience and luxury features to justify the slight price increase.

Compare 2023 Lexus RC 350 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Lexus RC 350 models

The 2023 Lexus RC 350 is available in two trim levels: base and F Sport. Both come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (311 horsepower, 280 lb-ft) joined to an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional, which changes the transmission to a six-speed automatic. The turbocharged four-cylinder RC 300 and high-performance RC F are reviewed separately.

Base
The base RC 350 comes fairly well equipped from the get-go. Standard features include:

18-inch wheels
LED headlights and taillights
Keyless entry with push-button start
Power-adjustable front seats
Heated front seats (AWD models)
Dual-zone automatic climate control
8-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa and Android Auto integration
10-speaker audio system

Standard driver aids include:

Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)

Lexus offers a handful of options such as:

Navigation package

10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
Navigation
In-dash CD and DVD player

Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio package

Navigation package features
17-speaker audio system with subwoofer
Aluminum control knobs

Premium package

Heated and ventilated seats with memory function
Heated, auto-dimming exterior mirrors
Rain-sensing wipers
Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

All-Weather package

Windshield wiper de-icer
Rapid cabin heater
Headlight washers

19-inch wheels and summer tires
Triple-beam LED headlights
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Moonroof
Heated steering wheel

F Sport
The F Sport builds on the standard RC 350 with features including:

F Sport-tuned adaptive suspension
Upgraded brakes
19-inch wheels
Contents of the Premium package
Perforated synthetic leather upholstery
Heated and ventilated sport seats
Aluminum pedals
Black headliner

Options include those available on the base RC 350, but the F Sport also offers a few unique options, such as:

Lexus Dynamic Handling System (upgrades suspension and adds rear-wheel steering for improved handling)
Torsen limited-slip rear differential for improved traction (rear-wheel-drive models)
Special Appearance package (gray body color with a black hood and roof, 19-inch dark Enkei wheels)

Lexus RC 350 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.5

26 reviews

5(77%)

4(11%)

3(0%)

2(4%)

1(8%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Best car I’ve owned so far!

Christian Chkaiban, 06/06/2018

2017 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

This car is amazing! Sure, it’s not the most powerful in it’s class but it has much more power than you need on the roads in the country taking the speed limits into consideration. The car is insanely comfortable and looks very classy and sporty in my opinion and is beautifully crafted. The infotainment screen could be larger, but I believe they took care of that in the 2018 model. The …

Very nice for the price

Jon Paul Bouvier, 01/13/2019

2019 Lexus RC 350 F SPORT 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

I recently traded my Porsche 911 Carrera 2013 for a 2019 RC F Sport 350. This car is more of a boulevard cruiser in luxury than an actual “sports” car, and I love it. The Porsche I owned for 6 years and quality was second to none, it was very fast but very expensive to keep. My 10,000 mile service was due and quote was north of $1,850.00 insane. Since I also own an 2016 Avalon thought I …

Toy Coupe

tom thornton, 01/09/2019

2018 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

The RC350 AWD FSport model is a fun car to drive. We’ve had several Lexus vehicles and dozens of other makes both SUVs and Sedans, but this is one of our great cars to drive. I wanted a fun car to drive in my senior years. I looked at the 2018 Mustang GT 5.0, the 2018 Camero and the 2018 and 2016 Corvette Stingray and decided to buy the 2018 RC 350 Black Edition FSport AW drive. Why did …

Old Lexus for New Lexus

Bruce, 06/19/2018

2018 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

The Lexus RC350 is a fun car for long drives and touring rather than racing. Everything about this car is about lifestyle and opportunity for older clients to really enjoy a Lexus as well as comfort and performance. Since I will not be putting on many miles over the next 3 years of the lease, this car with low miles would be perfect to keep and enjoy for the long haul.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Lexus RC 350, so we've included reviews for other years of the RC 350 since its last redesign.

See all 26 reviews of the Lexus RC 350

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2023 Lexus RC 350 Features & Specs

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$47,250
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$207/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

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Lexus RC 350 vs. BMW 4 Series

It should be no surprise the 4 Series is our favorite luxury sport coupe in this limited class since BMW essentially invented that segment decades ago. It delivers scintillating performance with plentiful power and impressive handling. At the same time, the 4 Series is relatively fuel-efficient and comfortable. It was last redesigned in 2021 with mixed reactions to its odd grille, but if you can get past its looks, you'll have one of the strongest performers in the class.

Compare Lexus RC 350 & BMW 4 Series features

Lexus RC 350 vs. Audi S5

The Audi A5 is a strong rival to the Lexus RC 300, but the S5 is our choice to go up against the RC 350. With 349 horsepower and standard all-wheel-drive, the Audi boasts brisk acceleration and its sure-footed traction inspires confidence. The S5 is sportier than the Lexus and its infotainment system is more intuitive, but the RC holds the edge in comfort and has more standard safety features.

Compare Lexus RC 350 & Audi S5 features

Lexus RC 350 vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and convertible models are the same as last year’s even though the C-Class sedan was redesigned last year. Even though these models date back to the 2015 redesign, they remain relevant today and deliver an excess of luxury. The older C-Class may be missing some of the latest safety and tech features, but the Lexus is no spring chicken itself.

Compare Lexus RC 350 & Mercedes-Benz C-Class features

Safety

Our experts’ favorite RC 350 safety features:

Pre-Collision System: Warns the driver of a possible impact with pedestrians or other cars. Can automatically apply the brakes if necessary.
Lane Departure Alert with Keeping Assist: Warns you when the car's drifting out of your lane and intervenes with steering input if needed.
Safety Connect: Includes automatic collision notification, an emergency assist button and stolen vehicle location services.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Not Tested
Roof Strength Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Good

FAQ

Is the Lexus RC 350 a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 RC 350 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.2 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 RC 350 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 26 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the RC 350 has 10.4 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Lexus RC 350. Learn more

What's new in the 2023 Lexus RC 350?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Lexus RC 350:

A new touchscreen improves the infotainment system
F Sport Special Appearance package debuts
Part of the first RC generation introduced for 2015

Learn more

Is the Lexus RC 350 reliable?

To determine whether the Lexus RC 350 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the RC 350. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the RC 350's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2023 Lexus RC 350 a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Lexus RC 350 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 RC 350 and gave it a 7.2 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 RC 350 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 26 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 RC 350 is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2023 Lexus RC 350?

The least-expensive 2023 Lexus RC 350 is the 2023 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $47,250.

Other versions include:

2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $47,250
2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) which starts at $49,415
F SPORT 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $51,870
F SPORT 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) which starts at $53,595

Learn more

What are the different models of Lexus RC 350?

If you're interested in the Lexus RC 350, the next question is, which RC 350 model is right for you? RC 350 variants include 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A), 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A), F SPORT 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A), and F SPORT 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A). For a full list of RC 350 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2023 Lexus RC 350

Pricing

2023 Lexus RC 350 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 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 $3.90 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Save as much as $7,316 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $7,316 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the F SPORT trim.

Edmunds suggests you pay

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which RC 350 does Edmunds recommend?

Lexus RC 350 models

Lexus RC 350 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Best car I’ve owned so far!

Very nice for the price

Toy Coupe

Old Lexus for New Lexus

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2023 Lexus RC 350 Features & Specs

Compare the Lexus RC 350

Lexus RC 350 vs. BMW 4 Series

Lexus RC 350 vs. Audi S5

Lexus RC 350 vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Safety

Our experts’ favorite RC 350 safety features:

IIHS Rating

FAQ

Is the Lexus RC 350 a good car?

What's new in the 2023 Lexus RC 350?

Is the Lexus RC 350 reliable?

Is the 2023 Lexus RC 350 a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2023 Lexus RC 350?

What are the different models of Lexus RC 350?

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 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 $3.90 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Save as much as $7,316 with Edmunds ^{Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $7,316 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the F SPORT trim.}