What Is the 2019 Lexus RC?
The 2019 Lexus RC is a luxury sports coupe that seats up to four. There are three engine choices: The rear-wheel-drive RC 300 uses a 241-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the all-wheel-drive RC 300 is powered by a 260-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. Rear- and all-wheel-drive versions of the RC 350, meanwhile, get a 311-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. The high-performance rear-wheel-drive RC F is powered by a 467-hp, 5.0-liter V-8.
Rear-wheel-drive versions use an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel-drive versions have a six-speed automatic. The RC competes with the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Cadillac ATS.
What's New on the 2019 Lexus RC?
Exterior changes include revised front and rear styling while the cabin gets some trim changes. Suspension and power-steering tuning has been updated, and the turbo four-cylinder's control unit has been reprogrammed for optimized response, according to Lexus. Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity and Amazon Alexa integration are now standard.
The RC F gets a new limited-edition 10th Anniversary Special Edition that features matte-gray paint, blue Brembo brake calipers, black 19-inch forged BBS wheels, blue leather interior trim and blue carbon fiber accents. Only 240 will be available in the U.S.
What Features in the 2019 Lexus RC Are Most Important?
Standard convenience features include push-button start, dual-zone air conditioning, power-adjustable heated front seats and a 60/40-split, folding backseat. Options include a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a power moonroof, navigation and a Mark Levinson premium stereo.
Standard active safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is available.
Should I Buy the 2019 Lexus RC?
Good visibility and a roomy front cabin are highlights of the RC, but like a lot of coupes the backseat is snug. We're also not fans of Lexus' touchpad-based multimedia interface. The high-output RC F provides some thrills but isn't as entertaining as you might expect for a top performance model.
