2022 Lexus RC

The automotive world is all about two things at the moment: going faster and polluting less, and preferably both simultaneously. So it's both comforting and refreshing to know that some cars like the 2022 Lexus RC Coupe ignore both of these trends. This two-door coupe isn't especially fast, it's not a sharp handler, and it's not very economical. However, it looks fantastic and is pleasingly comfortable for a car of this kind. Even with a maximum power output of 311 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V6, none of the RC luxury coupes are not going to win many street races, but they will wrap you in a serene bubble of luxury and waft you around town in style. Sure, the BMW 4 Series Coupe and Audi A5 Coupe are more entertaining to drive, but the Lexus RC is great because of its low-key, unpretentious style. And with three powertrain options, the RC coupe ranges in starting price from around $42.5k to upwards of $52k depending on options.

This sexy coupe does away with the traditional flowing lines of German competitors and opts for a more angular, contemporary look - and it pulls it off. This is a good-looking car. Standard features on the base model include Bi-LED headlamps with daytime running lamps, a bright metallic front grille with chrome trim, and 18-inch split-five-spoke alloy wheels. The F Sport gets a standard F Sport mesh front grille with smoked chrome trim, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and 19-inch split-five-spoke wheels with a Dark Graphite finish. There are a few options available to the entire lineup to further jazz up the RC's appearance such as premium triple-beam LED headlamps and a power moonroof.

This compact 2-door coupe measures 185 inches in length. It's 72.4 inches wide with the mirrors folded and 54.9 inches tall (55.1 inches in all-wheel-drive configuration). The 2022 Lexus RC rolls on a 107.5-inch wheelbase.

In terms of curb weight, the RC 300 models are the lightest at 3,737 pounds. RWD RC 350 models weigh slightly more at 3,748 lbs, while AWD models tip the scales at 3,891 lbs.

The Lexus color palette isn't especially broad but the automaker has included a combination of both subtle and more flamboyant shades. There are a total of six colors to choose from in base configuration: Eminent White Pearl ($500), Atomic Silver, Caviar, Obsidian, Infrared ($595), and Grecian Water. The F Sport has a slightly different palette, replacing Eminent White Pearl with Ultra White, also at $500. Grecian Water also falls away but Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 ($595) and Flare Yellow ($595) are especially vibrant choices.

Lexus used to be thought of as an old man's brand thanks to legendary land yachts like the LS 400, but it has proven that it knows how to build fast cars with the LFA and later F-series cars. Unfortunately, the 2022 Lexus RC doesn't get the complete F treatment, despite the "F Sport" name appearing on some trim levels. The base models are powered by an industry-standard 2.0-liter turbo engine with modest power outputs of 241 hp that, in the 3,737-pound RC 300, fail to deliver any sort of sporty performance. The BMW 4 Series, with its 255-hp inline-4 entry-level engine feels faster and more eager to please.

Lexus tries to correct the lack of power in the RC 300 by offering the RC 350. This model is powered by a 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 engine and delivers over 311 hp. Confusingly, the RC 300 models with AWD also get the V6 engine, just detuned for 260 hp. Regardless, it still can't match up to its German rivals. According to Lexus, the RC 300 will get to 60 mph in a leisurely 7.3 seconds, while the AWD V6 version will take a more respectable 6.3 seconds. The V6 RC 350 will manage the same sprint in six seconds in AWD configuration and 5.8 seconds when paired with RWD. The RWD models have a top speed of 143 mph, dropping to 130 mph for AWD variants.

There are three powertrain choices and two transmissions for the RC range in the US market. In RWD format, the RC 300 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing a modest 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Power delivery from the turbocharged four-cylinder can be described as tepid; the RC 300 RWD is simply too heavy, and the engine and transmission combination fails to make any sort of lasting impression. Power comes on early thanks to a fat low-down torque curve, but the RC 300 runs out of steam fairly quickly and doesn't sound too sporty either. The RC 300 AWD replaces the turbo-four with a 3.5-liter V6 making 260 hp and 236 lb-ft, but it uses a less advanced six-speed automatic. Although low-down torque is lacking a bit here, it makes a nicer sound and is quicker than the RC 300 RWD.

If you want any sort of speed and passion, you will have to go with the RC 350. In this application, the 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine is dialed up to make 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. In RWD guise, it uses the eight-speed auto, whereas the RC 350 AWD is saddled with the six-speed auto. Power delivery is smooth and linear, but with peak torque only arriving at 4,800 pm, you'll need to string this motor out to get any actual performance out of it, and even at full tilt, German competitors feel effortlessly faster.

The 2022 Lexus RC is no straight-line sprinter, so it wouldn't make sense to make it handle like a hardcore sports coupe, either. Lexus knows its place in the order of things and has deliberately made the RC Coupe softer than most of its rivals; in that way, it can attract a more mature crowd that appreciates comfort over pure capability. The Lexus RC offers a pliant and comfortable driving experience that is perfect for those who want a relaxed daily cruiser. Even F Sport models with the larger wheel option return a smooth ride that is difficult to fault, even over bumpy road surfaces. The chassis isn't entirely made of gooey marshmallows and candy floss, however. The Lexus RC doesn't mind being thrown around a corner, and despite a fair bit of body lean and low-speed understeer, there's a surprising amount of feedback through the steering wheel which is a rare commodity these days. An optional Torsen limited-slip differential is a $390 option on F Sport derivatives, but we wouldn't bother. Understand and enjoy the RC for what it is, and you'll never be disappointed.

Due to its sheer weight and the fact that the engine options need to be worked hard to extract decent performance, the RC fails to impress in terms of fuel efficiency. EPA ratings also differ due to the number of engine and drivetrain configurations. The most efficient of the lot is the RWD RC 300 with the 2.0-liter engine which will return 21/31/25 mpg on the city/highway/combined circuit. The AWD RC 300 with the lower-powered V6 will manage 19/26/22 mpg, which is the same figure the AWD RC 350 will get. RWD variants are a little more frugal, at 20/28/23 mpg.

Clearly, AWD models suffer because of their heavier weight and two fewer gears. With a max fuel capacity of 17.4 gallons, the RC will manage a distance of between 382 and 435 miles.

Lexus knows how to build a comfortable interior, and in the case of the RC, it's stylish too. This well-built cabin offers sleek and sophisticated designs and a level of build quality that can easily stack up against its German rivals. Due to its coupe body styling, the RC offers good front passenger space, but things get tight in the back, and there are some pretty severe blind spots to deal with, but the overall experience is pure premium goodness. Standard features like automatic climate control, classy NuLuxe upholstery, and advanced driver assistance tech make the RC feel well worth the asking price.

The RC is a true coupe; it caters well to those in the front and straight-up neglects the poor souls that have to call the back seat home. All trims get a standard 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, and a 60/40-split fold-down rear seat. There's a cavernous 45.4 inches of legroom in the front and 39 inches of headroom, making the RC an easy fit for six-footers and beyond. If you equip the moonroof, front headroom drops to 37.8 inches. Unfortunately, those in the back only get 27.3 inches of legroom, which would prove to be excruciating and inadequate over longer trips. F Sport models get sporty heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolsters.

Lexus is a big player in the premium market and has decades of experience crafting premium interiors, so it comes as no surprise that the interior of the 2022 RC Coupe features a fine selection of materials. The base model comes standard with a choice of two-tone NuLuxe material for the seats. These can be had in three color schemes: Playa with Linear Dark Mocha wood trim, Glazed Caramel with Linear Dark Mocha wood trim, or Black with Linear Espresso wood. The F Sport also has NuLuxe upholstery but in different colors. Here, you can choose from White, Circuit Red, Black, or Black/Yellow. In all cases, the wood trim is swapped out for Dark Gray Streamline inserts. All models get a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. F Sport models include a perforated leather-trimmed shift knob and steering wheel, a black headliner, and aluminum sport pedals.

Let's face it: you're not going to buy a 2022 Lexus RC Coupe because you're planning a cross-country camping trip. This car was made for city-slicking executives who live in large built-up metropolitan areas. Sure, every car has to be able to carry a few loose ends, but when it comes to two-door coupes, you can rarely expect more than that. The 2022 RC offers a grand total of 10.4 cubic feet. That's not a whole lot, and both the BMW 4 Series Coupe and Audi A5 Coupe provide more space, but at least you can carry a few overnight bags or some grocery shopping bags. If more space is required, the RC's 60/40-split fold-down rear seat opens up more precious cargo space.

The interior features standard storage options like door pockets, a glove box, two cup holders, and a center console storage tray.

The 2022 Lexus RC comes loaded with standard features, and the majority of features are shared across the RC lineup. The base model includes standard features such as SmartAccess with push-button start/stop, dual-zone climate control, an illuminated entry system, a ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an eight-way power front passenger's seat, and a multi-function color display. AWD RC 300 models add heated front seats. F Sport models include heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolsters and memory for the driver's seat, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and performance-inspired instrumentation.
Standard driver-assistance features include lane departure alert with steering assist, high-speed dynamic radar cruise control, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, intelligent high beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Naturally, a rearview camera is standard across the lineup as well.

The 2022 Lexus RC is fitted with a small seven-inch color display controlled by a knob and center console buttons. This system features voice commands, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto integration, Bluetooth streaming, two USB ports, and a ten-speaker premium sound system. F Sport models add active sound control. Optional extras include dynamic voice control, navigation, and a 10.3-inch display that adds an intuitive touchpad controller. Lexus also offers a Mark Levinson sound system with 835 watts of power and 17 speakers for true audiophiles.

Lexus is famous for building incredibly reliable cars, and the 2022 Lexus RC is no different. J.D. Power has given this car a superb quality and reliability rating of 88, and according to the NHTSA, the last recall to affect the coupe related to a fuel pump issue for the 2019 model.

Lexus will cover the 2022 RC with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, a six-year corrosion warranty, a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, and four years of roadside assistance. Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for the first year or 10,000 miles.

No Lexus RC safety review has been conducted by the NHTSA, but the IIHS has reviewed the coupe. Although it missed out on a Top Safety Pick award, the 2022 RC was still rated as Good in all six crashworthiness tests, while its crash avoidance and mitigation systems were classified as Superior. The 2022 RC comes packed with advanced driver assistance systems, so there's no need to worry about the overall safety of this car.

Lexus doesn't play around when it comes to occupant safety, and each new Lexus model comes standard with the Lexus Safety System Plus suite. In the case of the 2022 RC, you get eight airbags, including a driver's knee airbag and side curtain airbags, stability and traction control, and ABS brakes. Standard driver-assistance features include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, high-speed dynamic radar cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera with dynamic gridlines, and intelligent high beams. Intuitive parking assist is an optional extra.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Lexus can build a decent sports car: the RC F is proof of this. But Lexus is first and foremost a luxury car brand, and the bulk of its products focus on premium comfort. The 2022 RC Coupe falls solidly into that category. This isn't the fastest or sharpest premium coupe around, but it looks great, goes well enough, and can still entertain if the occasion arises. What the RC is best at, however, is delivering a comfortable and quiet ride in class and style. The build quality is excellent, safety levels are competent, and it's more reliable than most. Yes, it lacks the German brand equity, but Lexus cars have come far enough to be recognized as quality products in their own right, and the RC is a shining example.

The 2022 RC is competitively priced against its main German rivals and starts with an MSRP of $42,470 excluding tax, registration, and a destination charge of $1,075 in the USA. Going from the base model RC 300 to the RC 300 AWD will cost $45,160. The RC 300 F Sport costs $46,940 and its AWD derivative goes for $49,115. The standard RC 350 sells for $45,400, and the AWD version is priced at $47,565. The top-of-the-line RC 350 F Sport is priced at $49,870 for the RWD model and $51,480 for the AWD car. Fully loaded, the price of the Lexus RC will reach around $60,000 for a 350 F Sport AWD with all the extras.

There are four main models to choose from for the 2022 model year: RC 300, RC 350, RC 300 F Sport, and RC 350 F Sport. RWD and AWD versions of each are available. Powering the RC 300 RWD model is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. With AWD, the RC 300 uses a 3.5-liter V6 tuned for 260 hp and 236 lb-ft. Finally, RC 350 models get a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 311 hp and 280 lb-ft. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed auto for AWD cars.

The RC 300 includes standard features such as LED headlights, SmartAccess with push-button start/stop, NuLuxe interior trim, an illuminated entry system, a ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an eight-way power front passenger's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. Standard driver assistance features include departure alert with steering assist, high-speed dynamic radar cruise control, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. The seven-inch infotainment display hosts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, in-car Wi-Fi, Bluetooth streaming, and a 10-speaker sound system. The RC 300 AWD adds heated front seats, the V6 engine, and a six-speed automatic.

The RC 350 comes with the more powerful V6 engine, making it a much more potent performer. Other than this, it shares its feature count with the RC 300.

The RC 300 F Sport looks and feels more sporty thanks to exterior features such as an F Sport front fascia with a smoked chrome mesh front grille and 19-inch split-five-spoke wheels with a Dark Graphite finish. The interior gets standard F Sport gear such as unique sport front seats with improved side bolstering, a perforated leather steering wheel, a G-force display, a black headliner, aluminum sport pedals, and a power-adjustable steering wheel.

Finally, the RC 350 F Sport combines the sportier appearance of the RC 300 F Sport with the 311-hp engine of the RC 350.

Although each RC trim comes packed with premium options, Lexus offers even more in the form of optional packages. The Navigation Package adds a larger 10.3-inch display with navigation, dynamic voice command, and Lexus Enform destination assist for $1,645. The $2,725 navigation/Mark Levinson package includes a 17-speaker high-end Mark Levinson sound system and machined aluminum control knobs, along with the contents of the Navigation Package. However, this upgrade compels you to select the $1,790 Premium Package too with its heated and ventilated front seats, a seat memory system, heated and auto-dimming exterior rearview mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a power-adjustable steering wheel. On its own, the power moonroof will add $1,100 to the bill.

Limited to F Sport variants is the Torsen limited-slip rear differential at $390.

Let's be honest: the 2022 RC Coupe will never be a track-day star and will most likely spend its days cruising city streets at legal speeds. This car is about style, and for that reason, we'd suggest the RC 300 F Sport. Its 241 hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine offers enough power for city living, and it comes with all the cool-looking exterior features and a sporty interior. As far as optional extras go, we'd add intuitive parking assist and a power moonroof for added comfort and style. The total cost comes to just under $50,000.

These cars are aimed at German rivals such as the BMW 4 Series Coupe, but neither offers a convincingly sporty drive; the Infiniti Q60 is a comfortable vehicle to cruise around in and reminds us of early 2000s German coupes such as the Mercedes-Benz CLK. The Infiniti does offer more real-world power from its twin-turbo power plant, but neither of these cars are particularly quick. On the inside, the Infiniti falls to provide the same premium feel as the Lexus, and the RC also has greater trunk space. Pricing may be similar, and the choice here should mainly boil down to looks, but if we were buying, we'd go with the Lexus.

The Lexus IS is considered a compact executive sedan and sports four doors instead of the RC's two. This is the most important difference between these two cars and one that will ultimately be the deciding factor. The IS is powered by the exact same engine options as the RC and weighs more or less the same, so performance and fuel consumption figures are comparable. The IS is cheaper, however, beginning at just under $40,000. Inside, these two cars share the same luxury look and feel, and most of the standard features are also shared between these two siblings. The IS outshines the RC when it comes to practicality and can actually accommodate fully-grown adults in the back. Get the IS if you need the space or the RC if you're after some style points.