2021 Lexus RC 350 Review

Name: 2021 Lexus RC 350 Review
Brand: Lexus
Price: 34154 USD

Lexus RC 350 F SPORT Coupe Exterior. Options Shown.

+161

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.

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2021 Lexus RC 350 Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

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
Offers less cargo room than competitors

What's new

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

Overview

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $4.04 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$214/mo

$166/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

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

8.0/10

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

8.0/10

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

7.0/10

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.

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.

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

7.0/10

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 2021 RC 350 is available in two trims, and we suggest going with the top-level F Sport model with rear-wheel drive. It adds features such as an adaptive suspension, and it's available with performance options including a limited-slip differential that helps the RC 350's handling match its sharp styling.

2021 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.

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
10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat
Heated front seats (all-wheel-drive models)
Dual-zone automatic climate control
7-inch infotainment screen
Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa and Android Auto integration
Two USB ports
In-car Wi-Fi with three-month subscription
10-speaker audio system

Standard driver aids include:

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns 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)
Automatic high beams

Lexus offers a handful of options such as:

Black Line Special Edition

Triple-beam LED headlights
19-inch black chrome wheels
Black upholstery with silver stitching
Wood interior trim
Zero Halliburton luggage

Navigation package

10.3-inch infotainment screen
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
Heated, auto-dimming exterior mirrors
Rain-sensing wipers
Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

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
F Sport steering wheel
F Sport front seats
Heated and ventilated seats
Heated, auto-dimming exterior mirrors
Rain-sensing wipers
Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
Aluminum pedals
Black headliner

Options include those available on the base RC 350, but the F Sport also offers a few performance 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)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#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

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Lexus RC 350 from 2008-2022.}

$523/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.77x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

7.2%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Lexus RC 350.

5 (89%)

4 (3%)

3 (0%)

2 (3%)

1 (5%)

4.7

28 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 28 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

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 …

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 …

Lexus RC350 F Sport continues to be Outstanding

Bill Wingate, 09/27/2016

2016 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A)

This is a smooth running comfortable car with lots of power. The paddle shifters give you an extra "kick-down" gear when you want to zip around someone or merge onto the freeway. It has plenty of power for street driving, but it’s so quick you have to watch out because you can be over 90 mph before you realize it. I acquired the car new in 2016. Almost three years later it has proven to …

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 …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Lexus RC 350, so we've included reviews for other years of the RC 350 since its last redesign.

See all 28 reviews of the Lexus RC 350

Write a vehicle review

2021 RC 350 Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$45,150
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$214/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

Safety

Our experts like the RC 350 models:

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

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2021 Lexus RC 350 Review

2021 Lexus RC 350 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $4.04 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which RC 350 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Lexus RC 350 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Very nice for the price

Best car I’ve owned so far!

Lexus RC350 F Sport continues to be Outstanding

Toy Coupe

2021 RC 350 Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $4.04 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}