2017 Lexus RC F Expert Review

The 2017 Lexus RC F will now feature the Caviar exterior color, a new base wheel, Linear Adaptive Variable Suspension system (AVS), and Scout GPS Link.

Vehicle Summary

The 2017 Lexus RC F is a two-door high-performance sports coupe available exclusively with rear-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is available on the RC 350 and standard on the RC 300). The luxury performance coupe tops the RC lineup, featuring the same high-quality interior and technology, but adds more power.

Overview

For 2017, the Lexus RC F will continue to be powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 engine paired with an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission. The setup delivers 467 hp and 389 lb-ft of torque, giving the RC F a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top track speed of 170. Fuel economy is rated at 16/25 mpg city/highway for the 2016 model year, on par with the rest of the segment (2017 EPA ratings have yet to be revealed).

The range-topping RC F isa great all-around package with plenty of performance and an LFA-inspired interior. Despite weighing just under 4,000 pounds, the RC F is capable on and off the track, handling well with slight understeer when pushed to the limits. The exterior design may be polarizing to some with its aggressive, sharp lines, but the interior will appeal to most buyers with high-back sport seats, racing pedals, a perforated leather-trim, heated sport steering wheel, and personalized settings.

Safety

The Lexus RC lineup earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation for 2016. Standard safety features include the Lexus Enform Safety Connect, rigid body structure with crumple zones, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management with Sport Mode, LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights, high-performance Brembo brakes, a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, eight-airbag system, and smart stop technology. Optional safety features include premium triple-beam LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, headlight washers, pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, and a windshield wiper de-icer.

What We Think

The Lexus RC F may be one of the heaviest high-performance coupes on the market, but it offers a fun-to-drive personality and plenty of assists to keep you safe both on and off the track. In a First Test, we said that shifts are not only fast, but the transmission seems to go out of its way to give you the gear you really want, which is rare for an automatic transmission. Understeer, while there in only the toughest corners, is easily corrected with the brakes.

Compared back-to-back with the BMW M4, the Lexus offers a more approachable and comfortable level of performance, while the BMW takes some getting used to. The M4 may be the quicker of the two high-performance sports coupes, but the Lexus RC F converts power into acceleration better than the BMW.