2021 Lexus RC 350
| MSRP | $46,225 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $46,139 |
- 8 Colors
- 2 Trims
2021 Lexus RC 350 Review
- Excellent interior craftsmanship
- One of the quietest cars in its class
- Smooth power from the V6 engine
- Overall performance comes up short against rivals
- Infotainment interface is difficult to operate
- Tiny back seats are small, even for kids
- Offers less cargo room than competitors
- Blind-spot monitoring now standard across the lineup
- New limited-production Black Line Special Edition model
- Part of the first RC generation introduced for 2015
The 2021 Lexus RC 350 is an eye-catching luxury sport coupe that leans more toward comfort than all-out performance. The Lexus RC has been on sale since 2015 and has gotten a few refreshes over the years. Updates for 2021 include the new Black Line Special Edition. Limited to just 350 units, it comes with some special interior and exterior styling details plus a set of custom luggage. The rest of the RC carries over unchanged. While the RC 350 isn't as sporty as its design might suggest, its well-crafted cabin is quieter and more comfortable than the interiors of many competitors.
Its main rivals all hail from Germany. The new BMW 4 Series is the latest addition to this class. Its schnoz is as striking — and divisive — as the RC 350's spindle grille. Looks aside, we found the new 4 Series to be sporty and athletic without compromising comfort. The Audi A5 was just updated too, with revised looks and an updated infotainment system. Then there's the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe. It's as old as the RC 350 but, like the Lexus, it doesn't feel all that dated when you slip behind the wheel. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth evaluation on this year's RC.
Our verdict | |
The 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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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 | |
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?
Lexus RC 350 models
The 2021 Lexus RC 350 is available in two trim levels: base and F Sport. Both are powered by a 3.5-liter non-turbocharged V6 engine (311 hp, 280 lb-ft) that sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on both models. The turbocharged four-cylinder RC 300 and high-performance RC F are reviewed separately.
2021 Lexus RC 350 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $46,225
- MPG & Fuel
- 20 City / 28 Hwy / 23 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.4 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 4 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: rear wheel drive
- Transmission: 8-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- V6 cylinder
- Horsepower: 311 hp @ 6600 rpm
- Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 185.0 in. / Height: 54.9 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: 80.6 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 72.4 in.
- Curb Weight: 3748 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 10.4 cu.ft.
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.
Lexus RC 350 vs. the competition
2021 Lexus RC 350
2021 Audi A5
Lexus RC 350 vs. Audi A5
The Audi A5 was recently updated with a new infotainment system and slightly revised exterior styling, making one of the best luxury coupes on the road even better. It's handsome, comfortable and reasonably sporty. It's also available with a wide array of tech and drive aids. Standard all-wheel drive makes it quicker than the RC 350 even though it has significantly less power.
Lexus RC 350 vs. BMW 4 Series
The BMW 4 Series was recently redesigned, moving to a platform that shares much with the 3 Series sedan. Contentious design aside, we found the new coupe to be sporty and quick without compromising comfort. The base four-cylinder is underpowered compared to the Lexus' V6 but offers better performance. Cargo space is surprisingly good, but passenger space is compromised by the standard sunroof.
Lexus RC 350 vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The C-Class and the RC 350 were both introduced in 2015, and both are showing their age compared to newer luxury coupes. The C-Class offers more passenger space up front than the Lexus, and we prefer the C-Class' infotainment system to the one in the Lexus. The Mercedes feels a bit more refined than the RC on the road, though we suggest skipping the optional sport suspension.
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FAQ
Is the Lexus RC 350 a good car?
What's new in the 2021 Lexus RC 350?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Lexus RC 350:
- Blind-spot monitoring now standard across the lineup
- New limited-production Black Line Special Edition model
- Part of the first RC generation introduced for 2015
Is the Lexus RC 350 reliable?
Is the 2021 Lexus RC 350 a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2021 Lexus RC 350?
The least-expensive 2021 Lexus RC 350 is the 2021 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $45,150.
Other versions include:
- F SPORT 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) which starts at $51,230
- 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) which starts at $47,315
- 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $45,150
- F SPORT 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $49,620
