2019 Lexus RC 350 Review

Name: 2019 Lexus RC 350
Brand: Lexus

Price Range: $34,499 - $34,590

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$33,299 avg. price

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Appraise My 2019 Lexus RC 350

Lexus RC 350 model years

Lexus RC 350 for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Calvin Kim

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
Infotainment interface is difficult to operate
Tiny back seats are small, even for kids
Less cargo room than competitors

What's new

Refreshed front and rear styling
Retuned suspension for sharper handling
New smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay
Part of the first RC generation introduced for 2015

The 2019 Lexus RC 350 has the look of an exotic sport coupe, but this isn't something that's going to outgun a Porsche 911. In its rear-wheel-drive spec, the RC 350 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. That's decently quick, but well off the pace of other performance coupes. The RC is best suited for show, not go.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Des Moines, IA

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2019 Lexus RC 350
F SPORT Coupe
$34,900
fair price
$1,064 above market
- 45,942 miles
- 2 accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Exotic Motors (286 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Rolling Meadows, IL
Aptos_EmbeddedFontAptos_MSFontServiceCalibriHelveticasans-serif;font-optical-sizing:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-va...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHHZ5BC1K5021778
Stock: 021778
Certified Pre-Owned: No
New Listing
2019 Lexus RC 350
F SPORT Coupe
$29,190
great price
$3,791 below market
- 64,800 miles
- 6cyl automatic
- Confidence Chevrolet Buick GMC (474 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Midwest City, OK
Welcome to Confidence Chevrolet Buick GMC, a Cavender Auto Family dealership. This vehicle is located at 6100 Tinker Diagonal, Midwest City, OK 73110....
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary Unavailable.
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHHZ5BC2K5020381
Stock: STK020381
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-16-2025

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This approach has its advantages. Its interior is well-made and impressively quiet on the highway. And although the RC's infotainment system can get frustrating to operate, it features Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration this year. The optional Mark Levinson sound system deserves lots of praise, too.

If you're mostly interested in comfortable highway and commuting transportation that also looks great, the 2019 Lexus RC 350 is a strong contender. Just be aware that there are rivals that can offer similar luxury yet superior performance potential.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.2 / 10

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 Lexus RC 350 (3.5L V6 | 8-speed automatic | RWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.2 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.0
Utility	6.5
Technology	6.5

Driving

8.0

Outright performance isn't the game the RC 350 prefers to play. Instead, its smooth V6 engine delivers ample, though not impressive, power, and it moves and handles confidently at all speeds. Summer performance tires return fairly good braking and handling numbers should you decide to drive with some gusto.

Acceleration

7.5

This V6 engine sees duty in a few other Lexus vehicles, and it does good work in the RC 350. Midrange power is strong, and it pulls smoothly and sonorously to redline. Accelerating to 60 mph takes 6.2 seconds, which isn't as quick as some of its competition, let alone some family sedans.

Braking

8.0

Whether you're driving the RC 350 in town or on a challenging road, the brake pedal is firm, intuitive and consistent. Smooth stops are a breeze, but you have just as much confidence slowing from much higher speeds. Panic-braking stops from 60 mph took 115 feet, which is fairly respectable for a 3,800-pound coupe.

Steering

8.0

The wheel delivers pleasing feedback from the road and the front tires. Yet the assist is balanced, and it's never overly busy. It keeps straight and stable on the freeway, and it doesn't require correction when you turn into a corner. Multi-modal steering weights are slightly different.

Handling

8.0

The car responds well to steering inputs but surprisingly lacks a sport coupe's eagerness to change direction. Much of that comes down to the weight of the RC, which weighs in at over 3,800 pounds. But the RC 350 will inspire confidence and is ultimately easy to handle at the limit.

Drivability

7.5

The drivetrain in the RC 350 holds up the luxury end of the bargain with smooth and effortless performance. Of the three driving modes, Sport mode gives the best throttle response without being the least bit jumpy. Normal mode makes the car feel unresponsive, and Eco mode only serves to exacerbate that sluggish behavior.

Comfort

8.0

Space notwithstanding, the RC provides the level of suppleness you'd expect from a luxury brand. The interior is quiet, soft and well-controlled by the heating and cooling from the dash and front seats. Though the RC is a four-seater, the rear seats are best left to children or used to carry small items.

Seat comfort

7.5

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 cushions are firm, but we experienced little fatigue during long drives. Heating and cooling work exceptionally well. The rear seats lack headroom and legroom for adults.

Ride comfort

7.0

The stiff, sporty ride matches the RC 350's visuals but lacks suppleness over less-than-perfect surfaces. In short, it's busy and can be tiring over longer drives. Oddly enough, when this Lexus is driven with some verve, the suspension shows a softer side and allows for more body roll than you'd expect.

Noise & vibration

8.5

The RC exhibits minimal wind and road noise at any speed. The 19-inch wheels and summer tires make a small amount of noise, but you only notice it when the stereo is off. Under moderate to heavy acceleration, the V6 engine makes a pleasing howl but is never intrusive or out of character.

Climate control

8.0

The vents are easy to position and quiet during typical operation. Both heating and air conditioning work quickly. The touch-sensitive controls require more focus than they should, but at least you can make big adjustments by quickly swiping up or down. Seat heating and ventilation are similarly effective and quiet.

Interior

7.0

The RC's interior is easy to see out of, easy to climb into, easy on the eyes, and mostly easy to figure out. Alas, it has a poor exterior-to-interior space ratio — especially with regard to the rear seats — and operating the entertainment system is a nuisance.

Ease of use

6.5

It takes a bit to get used to the layout of the center stack's organization and use of multiple types of inputs, both physical and touch-sensitive. But everything makes sense with practice. The touchpad that controls the entertainment system requires too much attention from the driver.

Getting in/getting out

7.0

Like with many coupes, long doors can be an issue in tight parking lots. Once open, there's plenty of space to duck inside without banging your head against the roof. The front seats automatically slide forward to allow easier access to the rear, but once seated, they threaten your shins as they return.

Driving position

8.0

The power-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel have wide ranges, so they can accommodate a variety of body types. Once set, all gauges are visible and important controls fall into easy reach. The armrests sit nearly equal distance and height apart, allowing you to rest both elbows.

Roominess

6.0

Despite being one of the larger luxury coupes in the segment, the RC has the smallest interior. While occupants of average height will find the front seats adequate, we struggle to think who the rear seats would serve since they have less legroom and headroom than some two-door sports cars.

Visibility

7.5

You have a clear view ahead and out the side. The side mirrors sit far enough away and back from the windshield pillars to avoid large blind spots. The available electronic blind-spot monitoring alleviates the rest. The rear view is largely unimpeded by the rear headrests. Overall, visibility is decent, considering the coupe proportions.

Quality

8.0

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

Utility

6.5

Even for a coupe, the RC's storage space is tight. The trunk can handle little more than the necessities of a weekend getaway, and the interior has few solutions for large bottles as well as bags and backpacks. You'll find larger and more accommodating interiors and trunks in competitors.

Small-item storage

6.5

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 bottles.

Cargo space

6.0

At 10.4 cubic feet, the RC's trunk is among the smallest in its competitive set. While you can get more room by lowering the rear seats, you can't do so from the trunk. You have to climb into the back to reach the release switches. At least there's a large-diameter spare tire under the floor mat.

Child safety seat accommodation

6.5

The lower car seat anchors sit under an easy-to-access flap at the seat bottom. The top anchors are likewise easy to find and attach. The main issue is the limited space that's common with coupes. Once you install the car seat, you won't want to make a habit of taking it in and out often.

Technology

6.5

Though the large entertainment screen looks impressive, it's frustrating to operate. That it locks out many functions while moving might be a good thing because of how cumbersome it is. Phone integration is middling, and a head-up display is not available. At least the optional stereo sounds terrific.

Audio & navigation

5.5

The optional and powerful 17-speaker, 835-watt stereo sounds fantastic. The wide 10.3-inch entertainment screen looks good, too. Alas, the software is awkward to operate and behind the curve in terms of features. What's worse is you can't use many functions while moving. You're better off using your phone.

Smartphone integration

7.0

Only Apple CarPlay is supported, so iPhone owners are in luck. While annoying during typical operation, the touchpad works well in this setup. Android Auto is not currently available, nor is wireless charging. There are two USB ports in the center console, but neither is of the modern USB-C variety.

Driver aids

7.0

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 ahead and the system stops working.

Voice control

6.5

The systems requires specific prompts instead of natural language. While changing radio stations wasn't a problem, the system had difficulty understanding street and city names, no matter how clearly and slowly we called them out. Your best bet is plugging in your phone and using Siri or Google Voice.

Compare 2019 Lexus RC 350 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2019 Lexus RC 350 models

The 2019 Lexus RC 350 comes in two versions: base and F Sport. Both are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (311 horsepower, 280 pound-feet of torque) paired to 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-adjustable front seats, heated seats (AWD models only), simulated-leather upholstery, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch 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.

The F Sport fits the RC with appearance items such as a mesh grille and a unique front fascia along with substantive bits including 19-inch wheels, adaptive sport-tuned suspension dampers, and sport front seats with heating and ventilation. F Sport models also get the Navigation and Premium packages (see below), perforated-leather upholstery and trim, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, and a special instrument cluster.

Several option packages are offered, although availability can vary depending on where you live. The Premium package adds heated and ventilated front seats, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic wipers, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and driver-seat memory settings. The Navigation package includes a console-mounted touchpad controller, a 10.3-inch display, upgraded voice commands and integrated navigation.

Other options include a 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, a sunroof, upgraded headlights, LED foglights, variable-ratio steering with a four-wheel steering system (RWD F Sport only), a limited-slip differential (RWD F Sport only), blind-spot monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa

$198/mo

$154/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability

The 2019 Lexus RC 350 has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #9 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#9 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$523/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

0.77x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

7.2%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Recalls

2 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 20V682000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 20TA02, 20
Number of vehicles affected:: 1517721
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Defect Consequence:: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning November 23, 2020. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

Recall Number:: 20V012000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 20TB02/20T
Number of vehicles affected:: 1830752
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Defect Consequence:: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Toyota notified owners of the safety risk with an interim notification between February 17, 2020 and May 4, 2020. Toyota will send a second notice to owners to have the fuel pump replaced once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 6 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 1 years / 10,000 miles

Lexus RC 350 Owner Reviews

4.5

52 reviews

5(71%)

4(19%)

3(6%)

2(0%)

1(4%)

See all 52 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Outstanding style - comfort - sweet ride

jay Stiles. , 03/13/2018

2015 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

I was looking for something different- and this is it. Smooth and enough power to make it fun. Found it!!!! I smile every time I get in the car - and with Lexus reliability- I will be doing that for a while. Not a track car - but that is not what I wanted. This is a great trip car for two! Great deals to be had on 2015!

It is a Lexus!

pkaram, 05/21/2015

2015 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

First of all. I will agree 100% with Lee Monk's review above. This vehicle is definitely a very attractive car. We have got so much attention, all thumbs up. It also replaces our 2013 GS which I very much liked. It's fun to drive, fit and finish is excellent. Ride is great for a sports car. Dependability is part of the brand name. The navigation is a little pain to operate. The screen …

Most reliable car for a college student

Sunil Mistry, 04/20/2019

2015 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

lots of videos are out there on youtube, however, my personal experience with this coupe is simply impressive. The RC 350 has lots of latest technology what a student would want. From navigation, phone , radio features, to radar cruise; it has it. I am very impressed with radar cruise control feature, especially when driving long distances and using this feature. As far as the engine …

My 2nd one! Love it!

Carol, 06/14/2017

2015 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

This is a very comfortable, pleasure to drive car. I owned a 1999 350SC and hated to part with it. Drove it 13 years. Tried an Infinity and switched back to Lexus in 2015. Happy again!

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2019 Lexus RC 350, so we've included reviews for other years of the RC 350 since its last redesign.

See all 52 reviews of the Lexus RC 350

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2019 RC 350 Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$44,075
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$198/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the RC 350 models:

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.

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

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2019 Lexus RC 350 Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

For sale near Des Moines, IA

2019 Lexus RC 350F SPORT Coupe

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2019 Lexus RC 350F SPORT Coupe

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Child safety seat accommodation

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Which RC 350 does Edmunds recommend?

2019 Lexus RC 350 models

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Recalls

Warranty

Lexus RC 350 Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Outstanding style - comfort - sweet ride

It is a Lexus!

Most reliable car for a college student

My 2nd one! Love it!

2019 RC 350 Highlights

Safety

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2019 Lexus RC 350
F SPORT Coupe

2019 Lexus RC 350
F SPORT Coupe