Sure, our own Ed Tahaney enjoyed his time in the Lexus RC F, but what’s the general consensus on the RC line as a whole? U.S. News & World Report compiled the results of road tests conducted by various publications to figure that out.
Overall, the RC, in all its forms, was well-received. Automotive journalists loved its stiff chassis, pleasant ride quality, and responsive steering. The 467-hp 5.0-liter V8 received praise for its sound and power. Kind words, such as “smooth,” were used to describe the eight-speed automatic in rear-wheel-drive models.
Writers also had good things to say about the RC’s cabin, which some found to be “inviting” and “well equipped.” I’m sure features such as optional glove-soft leather, high-quality materials, satellite radio, and Siri Eyes Free didn’t hurt the RC’s scores.
However, several other things did. The six-speed automatic found in all-wheel-drive RCs was knocked for being rough. At least one scribe thought the 3.5-liter V6 lacked the character of the I6 in various BMWs. Testers made more negative remarks about the RC’s small 10.4 cubic-foot trunk, limited storage space, and distracting and slow-to-catch-up touchpad console controller. The RC’s recessed seven-inch screen came under fire, too.
By no means is the Lexus RC a perfect car, but, ultimately, it beat out 12 other vehicles in U.S. News & World Report’s Upscale Small Cars category with a score of 9.1 out of 10. You can access all of the site’s findings by clicking the appropriate link near the bottom of this post.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.
