2015 Lexus RC 350 F Sport Review
What’s Hot: Potent V6, agile handling, eye-searing looks.
What’s Not: Interior surprisingly lacking, cramped rear seat.
X-FACTOR: The price makes it a bargain among premium coupes, and agile handling makes it a champion.
Vehicle Style: Luxury coupe
Price: $74,000 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 233kW/378Nm 3.5 litre petrol V6 | 8spd sports auto
Fuel Economy claimed: 9.4 l/100km | tested: 14.7 l/100km
OVERVIEW
"Lexus" and "luxury" go hand-in-glove - it's a given. But it also does "luxury sports" and it does it a little differently to its (mostly) German competition.
The newest addition to the Lexus portfolio, the RC 350 coupe, does plenty to enforce that difference. You’ll see it in the RC’s crisp lines, you’ll feel it on the road, and you’ll see it when you sit inside.
TMR delved deep into the character of the mid-spec RC 350 F Sport to find out where it fits in the realm of sporty premium coupes.
Lexus expects the F Sport to be the favourite amongst the three-model RC range, and it’s not hard to see why when you look at the images of this eye-catching Infrared two door.
But, a week at the wheel can tell you a lot about a car, and the RC 350 has plenty to tell.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 3.5/5
Quality: Lexus prides itself on quality, and the company is rightfully recognised for its long-lasting, hard-wearing interiors.
We were a little surprised to find that some of the finishes of the RC don’t quite match those of its competitors.
In both the BMW 4 series and Audi A5 range you'll find plenty of high quality hides and lashings of wood or metal trims. The RC however relies more on plastics - they are well finished but lack the polish of the Euro rivals.
Oddly we found some dud pieces too, the overhead grab-handles creaked when pulled on, and the foil trim around the driver’s window switch was starting to bubble.
There’s also the nickel coloured metal-look garnish across the dash and steering wheel. There’s nothing wrong with it per se, but it’s a little more Toyota than Lexus and drags the interior presentation down.