Lexus RC 300

Amid a flood of SUVs and electric vehicles, the Lexus RC holds fast as one of the last luxury sports coupes. With aggressive styling and available power to back it up, the RC enters the 2024 model year with a handful of new grayscale paint options and available 19-inch Enkei wheels, but no major changes; Lexus does note, however, that 2024 will be the final year of the RC F Track Edition.

Related: 2020 Lexus RC F Track Edition Quick Spin: Is the Ultimate RC Enough to Finally Find Love?

Powertrain Specs and MPG

Beyond its body style, the RC’s powertrain options include a few throwbacks in the form of naturally aspirated V-6 and V-8 options. The base engine, only available in the rear-wheel-drive RC 300, is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 241 horsepower and 258 pounds-feet of torque; it gets an EPA-rated 21/31/25 mpg city/highway/combined. The RC 300 with all-wheel drive steps up to a 3.5-liter V-6 making 260 hp and 236 pounds-feet; it’s rated at 19/26/22 mpg.

Both rear- and all-wheel-drive RC 350s are powered by a stouter version of the 3.5-liter V-6, which puts out 311 hp and 280 pounds-feet. The EPA rates the rear-drive RC 350 at 20/28/23 mpg and the AWD version at 19/26/22. AWD RCs use a six-speed automatic transmission, while RWD variants get an eight-speed automatic.

The RC line’s performance halo is the RC F, which gets swollen fenders stuffed with additional air intakes and outlets and packs a 472-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 with 395 pounds-feet of torque. It’s only available with an eight-speed automatic and RWD, and fuel-economy ratings for the RC F are 16/24/19 mpg. For maximum performance (at a maximum pricing premium), the RC F Track Edition features a carbon-fiber hood, roof and rear wing, Hitachi shock absorbers, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and a black-and-blue simulated suede interior.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 Standard

Every 2024 Lexus RC comes fitted with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 as standard equipment. This suite of advanced driver-assist features includes forward collision warning with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, left-turn intersection support, lane departure steering assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, automatic high beams and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors are available.

Availability and Pricing

The 2024 Lexus RC is on sale now. Full line pricing (including $1,150 destination) is as follows:

• RC 300: $45,920
• RC 300 AWD: $48,610
• RC 300 F Sport: $50,540
• RC 300 F Sport AWD: $52,830
• RC 350: $48,850
• RC 350 AWD: $51,015
• RC 350 F Sport: $53,470
• RC 350 F Sport AWD: $55,195
• RC F: $68,295
• RC F Track Edition: $101,170

Versus the Competition

The current generation of the Lexus RC dates to the 2016 model year; its German competitors have all been significantly refreshed since then. The Audi A5 starts at $48,795, while the high-performance RS5 bases at $79,695. BMW charges $50,895 for a 430i and $79,095 for the M4. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300 can be had from $50,700, while the 2023 AMG C63 S starts at $83,000.

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