“Very stylish car with great features. Overall fun driving experience but drivers seat is not comfortable for long trips”
Lexus RC: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 13, 2026
The Lexus RC is a four-seat luxury performance coupe known for bold styling, a high-quality cabin, and a smoother, more relaxed driving character than many harder-edged rivals. The RC F is the more serious, V8-powered performance version.
The RC followed one basic formula throughout its 2015-2025 run: dramatic coupe styling paired with Lexus craftsmanship and everyday comfort. Regular RC models leaned toward relaxed grand touring rather than sharp-edged sports-car behavior. The RC F added naturally aspirated V8 power and a more focused performance character without leaving the coupe family’s polished feel behind.
Strengths
- Its bold shape gives it a distinct identity among luxury coupes.
- The cabin emphasizes quality and front-seat comfort, making the regular RC easy to enjoy every day.
- Its smooth, relaxed road manners suit commuting and long-distance grand touring.
- The RC F brings naturally aspirated V8 power for buyers who want a more serious performance experience.
- Later examples gained useful updates, including standard Apple CarPlay for the regular RC in 2019 and a touchscreen across the lineup in 2023.
Who it's for
The RC best fits someone who usually travels alone or with one passenger and wants a distinctive luxury coupe for commuting, weekend drives, and longer trips. It suits buyers who care more about style, front-seat comfort, and a polished cabin than a roomy back seat or maximum practicality. The RC F is for the shopper who wants that same basic package with much stronger performance and V8 character.
Lexus RC lineup
The RC 300 is the entry point to the regular coupe range and makes the most sense for buyers focused on style and relaxed daily driving. Step up to the RC 350 for the more substantial V6 version of the same grand-touring idea. F SPORT models add a more athletic visual identity, with distinctive grille and wheel treatments appearing across the years. The RC F sits well above them as the dedicated V8 performance model, while the 2025 Final Edition serves as its specially finished send-off.
Lexus RC generations
From 2015 to 2025, the RC spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation arrived for 2015.
1st Generation (2015–2025)
The only Lexus RC generation paired dramatic coupe styling with rear-wheel drive or AWD and four-cylinder, V6, or V8 power. The regular RC received a styling and handling refresh for 2019, while the V8-powered RC F received its larger update for 2020.
20 In Stock
2025Trim changes
The RC and RC F enter their final U.S. model year. The RC F becomes a single Final Edition model with carbon-fiber body pieces and specially finished performance hardware.
2024
The RC and RC F carry over with no significant changes. This is the final year for the RC F Track Edition.
2023Trim changes
A standard 8-inch touchscreen replaces the older display setup, and an updated safety suite becomes standard across the RC and RC F lineup.
2022
The 50-unit RC F Fuji Speedway Edition returns with carbon-fiber body pieces, upgraded brakes, a titanium exhaust, and an Alcantara-trimmed cabin.
2021Trim changes
The Black Line Special Edition and RC F Fuji Speedway Edition join the lineup. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert become standard across the RC range.
2020Mid-cycle update
The RC F gets more power, lower weight, revised styling, and updated aerodynamics. The limited-production RC F Track Edition joins the lineup, while regular RC models gain Android Auto.
2019Mid-cycle update
RC 300 and RC 350 models get refreshed front and rear styling, revised suspension and steering, and standard Apple CarPlay. The RC F largely carries over.
2018Trim changes
The rear-wheel-drive turbo model is renamed RC 300. A safety suite becomes standard across the lineup, and non-F V6 models gain a small power increase.
2017
Regular RC models gain standard smartphone-based navigation, along with revised grille and wheel finishes.
2016Trim changes
The RC 200t turbo model and RC 300 AWD V6 model join the original RC 350 and RC F.
2015New generation
The all-new RC launches in the U.S. with the V6-powered RC 350 and V8-powered RC F.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Lexus RC.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Lexus RC?
The Lexus RC is a two-door, four-seat luxury coupe. It favors dramatic styling, a well-finished cabin, and relaxed grand-touring manners over the sharper feel of a track-focused sports car.
Is the Lexus RC a hybrid?
No. Every Lexus RC in its 2015-2025 run uses a gasoline engine. Depending on year and trim, that means a turbocharged four-cylinder, a V6, or the RC F’s naturally aspirated V8.
What is the Lexus RC known for?
The Lexus RC is known for standout coupe styling, a high-quality cabin, and a smooth, easygoing driving character. The RC 300 and RC 350 are more relaxed grand tourers than hard-edged sports cars.
Is the Lexus RC practical enough for daily driving?
Yes, if front-seat comfort matters more than rear-seat space. The latest RC seats four, but its rear legroom is only 27.3 inches. The trunk holds roughly 10 cubic feet, so it suits light luggage better than bulky cargo.
Does the Lexus RC have a V8?
Yes. The RC F is the V8-powered member of the family. Later versions use a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter engine with 472 horsepower, giving the RC F a much more serious performance character than the RC 300 or RC 350.
How many generations of the Lexus RC are there?
There is one Lexus RC generation, covering the 2015-2025 model years. The regular RC received a styling and chassis refresh for 2019, followed by a touchscreen and broader safety update for 2023. Production ended after 2025.
Lexus RC Reviews
What owners are saying about the Lexus RC.
4.5
Lexus RC
(757 reviews)
“It does everything that it purports to do. Not as fast as some competitors but exceptional reliability.”
“Very happy with my Lexus RC 350 F type so far. It is enjoyable and exciting to drive.”
“The performance of this vehicle is unbelievable and it hold the road like no other even if I'm driving really fast.”
“The mirrors don't fold in automatically. It doesn't have an automatic parking brake. The steering wheel doesn't extend far enough. There's only one outlet. There's no back privacy screen in the back window.”
“The performance of this car is top notch! It does everything I want it to do and I have no complaints about its performance. There is nothing I would add to the driving experience it provides.”
Sources
- pressroom.lexus.com — 2025 Lexus Rc And Rc F A Sonorous Swan Song
- pressroom.lexus.com — Whats New 2024 Lexus Rc And Rc F
- lexus.com — Models / 2025 / MY25 Lexus RC Brochure
- pressroom.lexus.com — Whats New 2023 Lexus Rc And Rc F
- lexus.com — Models / 2024 / MY24 Lexus RC Brochure
- lexus.com — Models / 2024 / MY24 Lexus RCF Brochure
- pressroom.lexus.com — Vehicle / 2022 Lexus Rc
- pressroom.lexus.com — Vehicle / 2022 Lexus Rc F
- lexus.com — Models / 2023 / MY23 Lexus RC Brochure
- lexus.com — Models / 2023 / MY23 Lexus RCF Brochure
- pressroom.lexus.com — Whats New For 2022
- lexus.com — Models / 2022 / MY22 Lexus RC Brochure