2017 Lexus RC 350
Pros
- Interior craftsmanship is excellent
- The ride quality will provide hours of comfortable touring
- Smooth power from the V6 engine
- Precise steering in standard form
Cons
- Overall performance comes up short against rivals
- Infotainment interface is difficult to operate
- Tiny backseats are small even for children
2017 Lexus RC 350 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Which RC 350 does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
3.5 / 5Hampered by middling performance, the 2017 Lexus RC 350 falls well short of the benchmark set by many of its rivals. Yes, it's comfortable and stylish, but you'd be better served by other luxury sport coupes.
Also, controlling the navigation and entertainment features through the Remote Touchpad is an exercise in frustration. Further hurting the RC's chances of becoming a top pick is the lack of storage and cargo space. If all you're after is a stylish and comfortable luxury coupe, the RC 350 may satisfy. But overall we think other luxury sport coupes will deliver a better all-around experience.
2017 Lexus RC 350 configurations
The 2017 Lexus RC 350 is the most powerful version of the RC luxury sport coupe. It's supported by the less expensive RC 200t and RC 300 versions. Standard features are mostly identical among these variants, with the engine the most significant difference. The RC 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (306 horsepower, 277 lb-ft of torque) paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for rear-wheel-drive models. A six-speed automatic comes with all-wheel-drive versions.
Standard feature highlights include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, power front seats, heated seats (AWD only), premium vinyl upholstery, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth connectivity, a 7-inch color display, voice controls and a 10-speaker sound system with satellite radio. Also standard is Lexus Enform Service Connect, which provides access to vehicle status and maintenance alerts via a smartphone app.
A number of options packages are offered, although availability can vary depending on where you live. The Premium package adds heated and ventilated front seats 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 (with a heated rim on AWD models) 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.
The Navigation package adds a console-mounted touchpad controller, a navigation system, upgraded voice controls and smartphone app integration (including Destination Search, Yelp, Pandora and iHeartRadio). The Navigation/Mark Levinson package adds a 17-speaker surround-sound audio system.
The F Sport package pads on appearance items such as a mesh grille and a unique front fascia along with substantive bits including 19-inch wheels with summer (RWD) or all-season (AWD) tires, adaptive sport-tuned suspension dampers, upgraded front brake pads (RWD only) and sport front seats. F Sport models also get perforated leather upholstery and trim, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel (with a heated rim on AWD models), driver-seat memory settings and a special instrument cluster.
Stand-alone options include a sunroof, upgraded headlights, LED foglights, variable-ratio steering with a four-wheel steering system (RWD F Sport only), a limited-slip differential with sport-tuned dampers (RWD F Sport only), adaptive cruise control (bundled with a collision mitigation system), and front and rear parking sensors.
Trim tested
Driving
3.0Acceleration
3.0Braking
3.0Steering
2.5Handling
3.0Drivability
5.0Comfort
4.5Seat comfort
3.0Ride comfort
4.5Noise & vibration
5.0Interior
2.5Ease of use
2.0Getting in/getting out
3.0Roominess
3.0Visibility
3.0Quality
4.5Utility
3.0Small-item storage
3.0Cargo space
3.0Technology
2.0Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Lexus RC 350.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite RC 350 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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2017 Lexus RC 350 for Sale
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See your car's valueA stylish two-door luxury sport coupe, the 2017 Lexus RC 350 occupies the top spot in the RC lineup. It’s a capable handler that comes equipped with a host of standard features, inside and out. And shoppers in many parts of the country will appreciate that it’s available with two-wheel or all-wheel drive.
The RC 350 is a fairly new model, introduced in 2015 to butt heads primarily with rivals from Germany. The changes for the 2017 model year are few. There’s a new blacked-out grille, one new exterior color and new finishes on the 18-inch and 19-inch wheels. Rear-wheel-drive models now get standard Yamaha performance shock absorbers and new triple-beam LED headlights are available.
The standard powerplant for the RC 350 is a 3.5-liter V6 that generates a healthy 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard paddle shifters. All-wheel-drive models get a six-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel economy is rated by the EPA at 22 mpg combined (19 city/28 highway).
The RC 350 may not be an all-out performance car, but a very satisfying 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds with rear-wheel drive shows that it's peppy enough for spirited driving. A sophisticated multilink rear and double-wishbone front suspension and electronically controlled power steering aid handling. Active four-wheel steering is an option, although prospective buyers should test-drive this feature before placing an order since it has received mixed reviews. A better bet might be the F Sport package, which adds adaptive sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels, and performance tires and upgraded brakes, among other items.
As shoppers expect in this vehicle class, the interior of the RC 350 boasts an attractive design, quality materials, and a wealth of comfort and technology features. The front seats are snug yet comfortable, but the tight rear seats are best reserved for small children. And the RC 350 lags a bit behind many competitors when it comes to trunk space, although the 60/40-split backseats do fold down to increase cargo capacity.
The RC 350 comes in only one trim level, but it is well-equipped with such amenities as dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, an infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and a 7-inch color display. The available Premium and Luxury packages allow buyers to add still more comfort and convenience features. The F Sport package, as noted above, includes a number of handling and brake upgrades, as well as distinctive trim pieces. Whatever your preference, let Edmunds help you find the 2017 Lexus RC 350 that best meets your needs.
2017 Lexus RC 350 Overview
The 2017 Lexus RC 350 is offered in the following submodels: RC 350 Coupe. Available styles include 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A), and 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A).
What do people think of the 2017 Lexus RC 350?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Lexus RC 350 and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 RC 350 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. 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 2017 RC 350.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Lexus RC 350 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 RC 350 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.
Which 2017 Lexus RC 350s are available in my area?
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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 2017 Lexus RC 350?
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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