Specifications of Lexus RC (facelift 2018) 350 V6 (311 HP) AWD Automatic
General characteristics of Lexus RC (facelift 2018) 350 V6 (311 HP) AWD Automatic
The 2020 Lexus RC is categorized as a compact premium two-door coupe, which means a relatively short length and wheelbase paired with a broader stance. The 2020 RC measures closely to rivals such as the Infiniti Q60 Coupe and BMW 4 Series Coupe. Overall length comes in at 185 inches, compared to the 184.4 inch Q60 and even shorter 4 Series' 182.7 inches. Overall width is 72.4 inches, and the RC stands 54.9 inches tall in RWD guise, rising to 55.1 in AWD configuration. The car rolls on a stubby 107.5-inch wheelbase, shorter than both the Infiniti and BMW. The lightest car in the RC range is the RC 300 RWD, which weighs in at 3,737 pounds. RC 350 RWD cars come in at 3,748 lbs, and the heaviest of the bunch would be the RC 350 AWD at 3,891 lbs.
New owners get to choose between a small capacity 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a traditional 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 in two states of tune. Both engines have their pros and cons, but what they both have in common is a slight lack of power. The 2.0-liter turbo generates 241 hp and gains access to all of its 258 lb-ft from only 1,650 rpm, which means you get a good shove of torque from low down in the rev range, but that soon tapers off, and the exhaust note is uninspiring, to say the least. On the other hand, you get buttery smooth V6 engines. The RC 300 AWD and F Sport are powered by a detuned 3.5-liter V6 that kicks out 260 hp and 236 lb-ft, while RC 350 cars get a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 that produces a more significant 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. This engine loves to rev, but with maximum torque only coming in at a heady 4,800 rpm, you'll be doing a lot of it. The eight-speed auto transmission works well with the torquey turbo engine, but hunts for gears in V6 RWD-equipped cars. AWD cars are fitted with a more traditional six-speed automatic which matches the silky smooth nature of the V6 engine but is slower to shift due to its age.
We could forgive Lexus for not stuffing the most powerful engines under the hood of the 2020 RC if they were even slightly economical. Still, in truth, the RC delivers mediocre gas mileage, which is a big no-no in today's market. The EPA reckons that the most fuel-efficient RC in the range is the RWD RC 300 which will return 21/30/24 mpg city/highway/combined, the next most economical option would be the RWD 3.5-liter RC 350 which will return 20/28/23 mpg. The AWD RC 350 and RC 300 AWD F Sport will get 19/26/21 and 18/24/21 mpg respectively. With a maximum fuel capacity of 17.4 gallons, the 2020 Lexus RC will be able to travel between 365 and 418 miles on a single tank of gas.
The exterior of the 2020 Lexus RC is a hard act to follow; its compact and sporty figure looks planted and confident on the road, so does the interior styling and overall design follow suit? Step inside the RC 300, and you most definitely get a sense of sportiness. Unlike the exterior, which has a few notable curves, the interior of the RC is a more clean-cut affair, but don't get us wrong, it still looks premium. Standard interior features on offer here are dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar control, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. RC 300 AWD cars add heated front seats, but the F Sport cars bring on the biggest changes; you get F Sport heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolsters, a turbo boost gauge (on the RC 300 RWD), and race-inspired instrumentation.
Being a more driver-focused car means that the RC will naturally prioritize front seat occupants, while those in the rear will have to sit down, shut up, and enjoy the ride as best they can. Headroom in the front of the 2020 RC is measured at a roomy 39 inches in the front, while the rear gets tight with a head clearance of only 34.8 inches. The same goes for the legroom measurement; those in the front get a massive 45.4 inches of legroom, while those in the back will have the circulation in their calves cut off with only 27.3 inches of space. Shoulder room is 54.7/50.8 inches front to back, and the hip room is 53.9/44.9 inches front to back. Accessing the front seats is simple enough, but trying to stoop through to the rear seats is a genuine mission and one we'd hate to force upon anyone.
Potential buyers will be happy to learn that the 2020 Lexus RC comes almost fully loaded in base form, with only a few additional extras being added as you climb up the trim ladder. In base form, the RWD RC 300 comes standard with exterior features such as bi-LED headlights, LED taillamps, and performance dampers. Inside the car, you can expect to find standard steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, as well as SmartAccess with push-button start. The 2020 RC comes standard with the Lexus Safety System suite of driver assistance tech which includes pre-collision assistance with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, steering assist, high-speed dynamic radar cruise
Control and intelligent high beams. AWD RC 300 cars get heated front seats. F Sport models get a whole lot of love: under the bodywork and wheels hides F Sport-tuned adaptive variable suspension with Sport S+ and custom drive mode, as well as two-piece front brake rotors with high-friction brake pads.
