Lexus RC F 2020 Long-Term Test #1
Fast, loud and arrogant but far from perfect – if this car were an athlete it’d be Nick KyrgiosThe Lexus RC F is not new. In fact, it’s positively geriatric in car years and looking down the barrel of its seventh birthday, which probably makes it 70 in human terms. It’s also overweight and in dire need of advanced driving technologies like those offered by its rivals. But it does have several redeeming qualities, such as a lusty naturally-aspirated V8, sublime seats and plush overall comfort and refinement levels. Let’s see what it’s like to live with for three months.
Price and equipment
First launched in Australia in 2014, the Lexus RC F is an intriguing machine. The most potent Lexus this side of the V10-powered, $700K Lexus LFA supercar, the RC F was given a boost with the lightweight but pricey ($165,117) RC F ‘Track Edition’ in 2019.
When that model grade arrived with its carbon-fibre goodness, Lexus launched three option packs offering some of the goodies found on the Track machine.
The vehicle on test here is fitted with Enhancement Pack 1, which consists of new-look 19-inch forged and polished alloy wheels, and a tilt and slide moonroof.
Lexus adds $5000 to the RC F’s $136,636 price tag for those two items, taking the grand total to $141,636 plus on-road costs – so around $150K on the road.
That’s more than the circa-$140K starting price for the outgoing BMW M4, around the same price as the Audi RS 5 Coupe and less than the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe ($171,035).
But the RC F more closely competes with the likes of the BMW M440i ($121,200) and Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe ($116,135), even if its outputs are higher.
So based on price it sits in a bit of a no man’s land, but power levels (351kW/530Nm) are arresting and equipment levels are good too.
The latter starts with a pair of the exceedingly luxurious and comfortable power operated sports seats. Complete with heating and cooling functions, the seats are the highlight of the interior, followed closely by the 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with a cabin-shaking 835 Watts of output.
There’s dual-zone climate control with unique touch-sensitive temperature sliders, a 10.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and a classy digital tachometer in the instrument display.
Despite all that, the interior feels old. The buttons on the centre console that adjust climate control fan speed et al have a 1990s vibe and the track-pad input system for the infotainment system is an acquired taste, to put it diplomatically.
While the driving position is great and all the major touchpoints are covered with the most luscious leather you’ll find in this price range, the interior lacks the visual flair found in BMW, Audi and Mercedes cars today.
Build quality is another highlight of the vehicle, which if beautifully fitted out and comes with two rear seats and a decent 366-litre boot.
The Japanese brand’s factory warranty covers Lexus RC F for four years or 100,000km, which is not class-leading in a prestige car segment where Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Volvo offer a five-year/unlimited-km warranty.
Safety and technology
Safety and technology is another area where the Lexus RC F is starting to feel tired. Its adaptive radar cruise control (autonomous acceleration and braking) and active lane keep assist (autonomous steering) leave a lot to be desired.
The cruise control lacks the finesse of newer vehicles and the lane-keep assistant appears to be on annual leave, buzzing the steering wheel but barely making any attempt to keep the car in its lane even on mild freeway curves with freshly painted lines.
Other standard safety features, as part of the Lexus Safety System, include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and a full compliment of airbags, but there is no local ANCAP safety rating.
Powertrain and performance
The Lexus RC F used to be quick. OK, it’s still pretty rapid but the last time we tested it independently it was a full second slower than claimed. The 5.6-second 0-100km/h sprint means that a lot of SUVs are now faster in a straight line.
Don’t get me wrong, I love driving this car and there’s no denying the big-bore 5.0-litre V8’s soul-stirring effects. The engaging throttle response from the naturally-aspirated, rev-hungry engine is reason enough to buy this machine but compared to its rivals – most of which are now turbocharged – it feels a bit dated.
The eight-speed Aisin-supplied automatic shunts drive effectively to the rear wheels via a Torsen limited-slip diff. The trannie offers surprisingly rapid upshifts but with an 1845kg kerb mass the Lexus RC F is a chubby apex chaser.
But its weight is indicative of its purpose – this is not a racetrack weapon to rival the Audi RS 5 or BMW M4, but rather a sporty grand tourer.
The Lexus RC F’s 66-litre fuel tank only accepts 98 RON premium petrol and combined fuel consumption is claimed to be 11.2L/100km, but unless you only ever drive on the freeway expect numbers closer to 14L/100km, as was the case during my extended evaluation period.
Driving and comfort
Adaptive dampers and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres give the Lexus RC F good ride comfort and plenty of grip, while the brakes are also very good, presenting only mild fade after prologued abuse.
But the steering doesn’t offer much in the way of meaningful feedback and, ultimately, this big Bertha can’t cheat the laws of physics and there’s no hiding its obesity.
This car is just too heavy to continuously attack challenging roads with confidence. Then again, the equally flabby LC 500 proves that being big and tubby doesn’t have to be a fun-killer.
If I was looking for a Japanese sports car that will keep modern-day rivals from Europe honest, I’d choose the Toyota Supra over the RC F every day of the week – and save about $45,000 in the process.
Yes, there’s the prospect of Lexus wedging its new twin-turbo V8 under the RC F bonnet one day, but as it stands this mid-size luxury coupe’s forte is not dynamic prowess but its luxury, refinement and comfort levels, giving it great grand touring ability.
The verdict
During my few weeks with it, I always looked forward to driving the Lexus RC F because of its refined cabin, impressive build quality and of course the V8’s booming induction noise as the revs rise.
The sumptuous leather seats and ease of use (except for the infotainment system) are also highlights, making this vehicle a Class A cruiser. I could easily live without the snazzy rims and moonroof and spend the $5000 on a sauna at home instead, but that’s just me.
Lexus RC F is starting to show its age in many respects, however, and if you’re looking for something fun to carve up mountain passes with and it has to wear an L badge, you’re better off stumping up the extra coin for the RC F Track Edition ($165,117) or the LC 500 coupe ($194,393).
If you can haggle a good price on the RC F it won’t disappoint, just don’t expect BMW M or Mercedes-AMG levels of performance or technology.
How much does the 2020 Lexus RC F Enhancement Pack 1 cost?
Price: $136,636 + $5000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 5.0-litre petrol V8
Output: 351kW/530Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic automatic
Fuel: 11.2L/100km (ADR Combined) 14.1L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 254g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A
- Luxurious, high-quality interior
- Soul-stirring naturally-aspirated V8
- Unique exterior design
- Frustrating infotainment input system
- It's a heavy and thirsty machine
- Average driver assistance systems
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