Quick Spin: 2017 Lexus RC F

2017 Lexus RC F

Class: Premium Sporty/Performance Car

Miles driven: 264

Fuel used: 16.7 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 15.8 mpg

Driving mix: 75% city, 25% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 16/25/19 (city/highway/combined)

Base price: $64,165 (not including $975 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Performance Package ($5500; includes carbon-fiber roof, carbon rear wing, and torque-vectoring rear differential), Premium Package ($3240; includes heated/ventilated front seats with driver’s seat memory, carbon-fiber interior trim, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, intuitive park assist, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming mirrors with memory reverse tilt, and steering memory), 19-inch forged 20-spoke wheels ($1500), triple-beam LED headlights ($1160), navigation system with Mark Levinson audio system ($2550), leather-trimmed interior ($800), pre-collision system with radar cruise control ($500), illuminated door sills ($449)

Price as tested: $80,839

Quick Hits

The great: Acceleration, ride/handling combination

The good: Visibility, interior appointments

The not so good: Infotainment/climate controls, rear-seat room, cabin storage

More Lexus RC price and availability information

CG Says:

With the potent, top-line RC F having made its way through our test fleet, we’ve now had the opportunity to sample all three flavors of the Lexus RC coupe: 241-horsepower 2.0t, 306-horsepower 350, and now the 467-horsepower F.

Test Drive: 2017 BMW 230i

As might be expected, the biggest difference was in acceleration. In the benchmark 0-60-mph dash, Lexus says the 2.0t covers it in 7.3 seconds, the 350 in 5.8 seconds, and the F in a spirited 4.4 seconds. And certainly the F feels quick, despite not being a real tire-smoker off the line. However, we noticed that when the F’s throttle was stabbed at speed, the automatic transmission in our test car didn’t kick down as promptly as previous Lexus automatics we’ve driven, which were typically lightning-quick. Instead, it seemed to do the required drop in two steps, which delayed the arrival of strong acceleration.

Not surprisingly, with the decrease in 0-60 time comes an increase in cost — and fuel consumption.

Although fuel cost is probably not a priority for someone buying a $65,000 car, the RC F’s is sobering nonetheless. In one all-city stint, the F returned just 14.7 mpg, and that was on required premium-grade fuel — which cost 38 percent more than regular when we filled up. That put its per-mile fuel cost at the same level as a car getting 10.6 mpg on regular-grade gas. Ouch.

The RC F also came on summer tires that were part of the $1500 19-inch 20-spoke wheel option. Though certainly attractive, if you live in the snow states, you should either swap the tires out for all-season or (preferably) winter ones during cold weather, so that’s another expense.

In other ways, the RC F essentially mimicked the previous RC 350 tested, except for one thing: its infotainment controls. Whereas the RC 350 was not equipped with a navigation system — and thus got a more basic control layout — the tested RC F had the $5500 navigation package (which also included a premium Mark Levinson audio system) that brought a touchpad-based control system. Some other Lexus models use essentially the same one, while others have a mouse controller in place of the touchpad. We’re not sure which is worse, but we don’t view either as an optimal design.

Test Drive: 2017 Infiniti Q60 3.0t Premium

Keeping in mind that sport coupes aren’t about practicality, the RC F comes off as a polished, potent performer that shouldn’t be overlooked if you’re shopping this class. But don’t overlook the RC 350, either, which we find offers a more attractive balance of power, price, and economy.

Check out our Premium Sporty/Performance Car Best Buys