2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport
Boldly youthful and unconventional
The reimagining of Lexus is accelerating rapidly now, with the unveiling of a very radical look for the company’s best-seller, the RX350 crossover. Less risky is the outré, aggressive styling liberally applied to their coupe, the RC350.
A sporty two-door should make a statement, or it is a pointless exercise as compared to a more practical sedan. As seen in the RC line, Lexus’ new styling direction is very clear: boldly youthful and unconventional. In some ways it is undeniably successful; this F Sport version visually grabs swiveling craniums in a vise-like headlock and doesn’t let go. Many of the flamboyant strokes of the designers’ pens are beautifully rendered into 3D lighting elements and curvaceous metal and plastic, but the long overhangs and a certain lack of coherence keep it from achieving lasting beauty. Regardless, this Lexus is a captivating stand out as compared to the restraint of such vehicles as the Cadillac ATS coupe or Audi A5/S5.
Inside, the RC350 is equally enthralling, using a design motif suggested by very high-end home audio equipment, such as that made by Mark Levinson, the brand that supplies Lexus’ upper end systems. Quality is first rate, though the use of faux leather in a $50,000 vehicle still grates. Beautiful details include the sweeping contrast stitching on the sides of the seats and the powered, sliding instrument cluster. The front chairs are very comfortable, but lack some of the adjustments expected for such a sporty vehicle, while back seat space is—as suggested by the roofline—very tight. A powered steering column aids entry/exit, and the mouse-pad infotainment system controller is an improvement over the interface in older Lexi. It does require more time with eyes off the road than the German systems, however.
This is my first long exposure to a rear wheel drive version of the related IS/GS/RC platform, and for normal driving it is superb, with an exemplarily ride, great steering and flat, engaging handling. Previously tested, AWD models don’t get this machine’s sophisticated, adjustable Adaptive Variable Suspension nor the Variable Gear Ratio Steering, both of which work very well up to about 8/10ths. Beyond that, the F Sport gets slightly ragged, with neutral handling washing into understeer and the car’s very stiff but heavy structure becoming hard to manage.
The RC350 powertrain is a similar story. The throaty, dual-injection 3.5-liter V6’s 306 horses and the eight speed automatic partner ably when shuffling through traffic or merging onto a highway. But under enthusiastic use, the relative lack of torque (277lb-ft at a high 4800rpm), near-3900lb mass and the tranny’s unwillingness to run to redline—it upshifts, even in manual mode—700rpm shy, mean the Lexus is a second or more slower to 60mph than competitors, and feels somewhat lacking in energy.
If it sounds as if I wasn’t pleased with the RC350, that would be inaccurate. While it lacks the performance potential or killer at-the-limit skill set of the Germans (or Cadillac), the Lexus is such a sweet driving car, and so loveable in the kind of day to day use most of us are relegated to, that I actually chose it instead of a $110,000 BMW SUV I had at the same time. The F Sport’s ride quality, refinement and quietness, combined with such lovely steering and slick overall demeanor were very captivating.
EPA ratings: 19/28mpg; 22mpg combined
0-60mph: 6.0 seconds
Base price/as tested: $43,715/$54,220
