Well, isn't this a retrospecT?
It's not often in a new car, let alone a sports coupe, that you encounter a CD player. I admire the fact that Toyota still offers cars with it, and I think many Lexus buyers still have stacks of CDs. I once had such a car, and I digitized all of them, which took some time considering I had hundreds. But do I miss the CD player? Not more than I miss radio stations, with their stupid, verbose morning DJs interrupted by endless streams of ads and random songs.
But I do miss cars like the 2024 Lexus RC 350 F-Sport, a beautifully built and affordable luxury grand-tourer sporty coupe. Such cars are becoming increasingly rare, and the only competitors are the BMW 4 Series and the Audi A5.
Despite its nine-year-old design, it remains fresh, aggressive, and classically styled. In fact, classic describes the interior best, which boasts an 8-inch or optionally a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The controls may seem outdated, but let's consider them classic. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa are standard; a Wi-Fi hotspot is optional, as is the Mark Levinson audio system with 17 speakers.
The front seats are comfortable, while the rear seats are secondary; think of them as punishment spots for someone you dislike, or as a soft shelf for packages. They are upholstered in pleasant-touch leather, and the stitching and finishing quality are first-class. Expect luxury features such as dual-zone climate control, and a cabin that is genuinely quiet at speed.
If there's any noise at speed, it’s probably the engine, which you'll most likely find at dealerships: a 3.5-liter V6 producing 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard on the rear-wheel-drive RC 300, delivering a decent 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Whatever engine you choose, rear-wheel-drive models come with an eight-speed transmission; all-wheel-drive models are satisfied with a six-speed automatic.
The turbo is available only with rear-wheel drive on the RC 300; other models get a V6, which feels much more appropriate given the vehicle’s mission. The RC F also features a 5.0-liter V8 V-type engine producing 472 horsepower, reducing acceleration from 0-60 mph from 6 seconds to 4.2 seconds.
The test vehicle, the 2024 Lexus RC 350 F-Sport, proved to be outstanding. It’s not the fastest in its segment, but it doesn’t have the sharply aggressive dynamics you might expect from a sports coupe. As mentioned, it’s a grand-tourer. It’s a car as interested in comfort as it is in speed. Its character includes refinement that isn’t always present among its competitors. This is a gentleman’s car, not a boy racer’s.
The prices start at $45,920, including destination charges, for the RC 300. The test vehicle, the Lexus RC 350 F-Sport 2024, started a bit higher — $52,000. It proved to be a comfortable coupe suitable for an escape into classic Lexus luxury.
But it is a rare gem that will soon be replaced.
"We understand the importance of performance and the directions that matter to the brand," said Vinay Shahan, Lexus Vice President of Marketing, in October 2023. "We have the LC 500 and we have the RC. Both vehicles, in my opinion, are uniquely tuned and targeted at enthusiasts. But we recognize that there is probably a need to be more aggressive in this arena. So stay tuned."
2024 Lexus RC 350 F-Sport
Base Price: $52,320
Engine: 3.5-liter V6
Horsepower/Torque: 311/280 lb-ft
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway): 16/24 mpg
Fuel Required: 91 Octane
Length/Width/Height: 184/72.4/54.9 inches
Ground Clearance: 5.1 inches
Cargo Capacity: 10.4 cubic feet
Maximum Payload: 1,080 pounds
