Not new to Lexus - Former ES 350 owner, wife has a 2017 RX 350. I’m thinking about an RC but aren’t sure which trim level to choose.Handling and comfort rank higher than performance so I’ve ruled out the F Sport trim. My thinking is either the 300 or 35O AWD with some options thrown in.The price difference is not an issue, so I am wondering - in terms of overall driving experience - which one to choose. Any comments, suggestions and recommendations are appreciated.

 

Suggest the 350 AWD. The 350 engine is what you are used to and it is a very durable engine, reliable and inexpensive to maintain--and quick enough to cause a smile. The AWD will let you feel sticky to the road no matter what outside conditions you are driving in. In this particular covid time, though, you may have to settle for what is on the lot. Neither choice, however, will be as comfortable or quiet as the ES was--narrower and less trunk space and useless back seat. I bought the F only because I wanted a V8 for once in my life--fun driver but the ES that I had was a more comfy and quiet ride and generally more user friendly.

 

Thanks, SailorTPD. I appreciate your comments. I’ll be ordering mine as my current lease is up in July. My Lexus dealer in Houston said it is currently around 3-4 months from order to delivery but who knows what that might look like in April.

 

I have an Fsport AWD as a daily driver. As far as luxury, it has 4 different "personality" settings for what mood you are in.
Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ modes. I have heated steering wheel, seats, and cool seats for summer. The Mark Levenson
sound is in a class by itself (I have had a ton of cars with different sound systems over the years as well) The AWD is great for
driving in heavy rain (we don't get much snow around here) The D or Normal mode setting can be customized for your liking
as well. My 15 is almost 7 years old now and still gets it done in my opinion. I've also had a couple of ES's and Is's too.
The RC is not for everyone, but what car is? I love mine.

 

I had a 2015 RC350 Fsport for 4 years and put over 100K miles on it. It was not the AWD and never felt the need for it living in TX. Loved the car.

 

I purchased mine used and it had AWD. I never did find one that had as many options as mine without the AWD. Like you said , depends on where you live. Mine is more stable at speed than my friends rear drive in a “frog strangler” which I know you know what that is being in Texas.

 

Adaptive Variable Suspension System is required in order to have Sport +.

 

I've never driven or been in a AWD version. And yes, I live in central Texas. I do have a vacation house in Missouri next to where my dad retired on Table Rock Lake. I would drive up there to see him several times a year and really enjoyed my drive through the Ozarks. That car handles those roads amazingly well. Even at high speeds in the middle of nowhere that car was amazing. I cant imagine it would be different in a AWD. But, I have not driven one so I cant honestly say, I'd like to hear from orthers who have driven both

 

My understanding of the AWD system on the RC (I've had one since the RC came out) is that it is rear wheel drive unless slipping starts, and then the AWD kicks in and drive is sent to the front wheels also. On my (previous) RX, the setup was just the opposite, operating as front wheel drive most of the time. In both cars, the AWD worked flawlessly in the snow and I must say the RC handles very much like a rear wheel drive car on dry roads.

 

From what I was told by a local dealer mechanic (for what that's worth) the AWD on the RC works all of the time.
It runs a 70-30 normal mix then if slippage occurs it can adjust to a 50-50 mix when needed. We all know it's for
a snow driving setup, but it really can help and does, in heavy rain situations on highway conditions. Speeds say,
at over 60 mph. I have driven a rear drive RC a good amount in the past and the AWD did improve in this situation.
Like I said, being here in the Southern USA, not much need for AWD, but it was on the car when I got it.