2018 Lexus RC 350 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byCalvin Kim
Vehicle Test Engineer
Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.Pros
- Interior craftsmanship is excellent
- The ride quality will provide hours of comfortable touring
- Smooth power from the V6 engine
Cons
- Overall performance comes up short against rivals
- Infotainment interface is difficult to operate
- Tiny back seats are small even for children
What’s new
For 2018, the RC 350 receives a slight bump in power, from 306 horsepower to 311 hp, while torque is up from 277 pound-feet to 280 lb-ft. A 10.3-inch navigation screen can be optioned, and a three-year Scout GPS link subscription is now standard.
Vehicle overview
The 2018 Lexus RC 350 is a comfortable and stylish 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. As a performance coupe, though, the RC 350 is a little disappointing.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 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 $4.07 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$216/mo
RC 350 Base
vs
$182/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
The RC 350 is more powerful than the RC 300 version, and its smooth-revving V6 now makes a respectable 311 horsepower. That's good enough for the RC 350 to sprint from zero to 60 mph in about 5.9 seconds. But the reality is that most competing coupes with their turbocharged six-cylinder engines are quicker still. Another problem is the RC 350's heavy curb weight, which keeps the car's handling from being razor-sharp.
The 2018 RC 350 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 440i or Mercedes-AMG C 43 coupe.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.3 / 10While the Lexus RC 350 is comfortable and stylish, its performance doesn't match up to that of other luxury coupes. You may want to look elsewhere if you're in search of a car that can deliver luxury and thrills in equal measure.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 Lexus RC 350 Coupe with the optional F Sport package (3.5L V6 | 8-speed automatic | RWD).
Note that since this test was conducted, the RC has received only minor revisions.
Scorecard
| Overall | 7.3 / 10 |
| Driving | 7.0 |
| Comfort | 8.5 |
| Interior | 6.0 |
| Utility | 6.5 |
Driving
7.0Unfortunately, the RC 350 F Sport is less than the sum of its parts. Acceleration is underwhelming for a luxury sport coupe, and it's not a particularly rewarding car to drive fast around turns.
Comfort
8.5Even kids will find the rear legroom lacking. But otherwise the RC 350 F Sport provides an exceptionally comfortable ride, above-average front seats, and one of the quietest cabins available.
Interior
6.0The interior of the RC 300 is well-built but has some issues. User interfaces are frustrating at best, and the space is good up front but ultra-tight in back. There are few places to put things such as cellphones, the trunk is small, and many visibility aids cost extra.
Utility
6.5Considering the lack of storage for your personal items and the small trunk, the Lexus RC 300 trails the competition when it comes to utility.
Technology
Lexus' Remote Touchpad infotainment interface is one of the worst controllers we've experienced. It works much like a laptop trackpad, but it's very difficult to use while in motion. On the bright side, the display is crisp and offers a lot of features.
Which RC 350 does Edmunds recommend?
For the RC 350, it's at its best if you stick with the standard rear-wheel-drive configuration and add the optional F Sport package. Besides sporty cosmetic touches inside and out, it also adds an adaptive suspension, which helps improve the car's overall ride comfort and handling capabilities. Don't bother with the Variable Gear Ratio Steering option, though. The car's steering doesn't feel natural, and the RC is less enjoyable to drive because of it.
2018 Lexus RC 350 models
The 2018 Lexus RC 350 is the most powerful version of the RC luxury sport coupe. It's supported by the less expensive RC 300, which is reviewed separately. 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 (311 horsepower, 280 pound-feet of torque) paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for rear-wheel-drive models. A six-speed automatic comes with all-wheel-drive versions.