2015 Lexus RC 350 Review: A Head Turner

Rating

Curvy and aggressive—the two-door 2015 Lexus RC brings sex appeal to the roads

Type

Luxury Sport Coupe

Engine

3.5-litre V6

Fuel economy

11L/100 km

Power

307 hp

Drivetrain

All-wheel drive

Transmission

6-speed automatic

Competition

• Audi A5
• BMW 4 Series
• Infiniti Q60
• Cadillac ATS

Best For

An entry into the luxury car market

A proper sports coupe once again graces the Lexus lineup, for the first time in 15 years.

“There’s an intangible appeal to the coupe, and for the development team, ‘sexy’ was the only term that felt appropriate,” said Lexus Canada director Cyril Dimitris. The Japanese automaker admits it’s the first time they’ve used the term to officially describe one of their products, and the curvaceous two-door is certainly deserving of the title.

Although based on the GS sedan platform, everything built around it is different. The RC is styled in an undeniably aggressive manner, with all kinds of fender bulges, body creases, vents and slats adorning the exterior.

The most distinctive features on the vehicle are the louvers on either corner of the rear bumper, which echo those found on some Porsche models. Unless you spring for the faster and pricier F Sport models, the signature gaping Lexus spindle grille—the biggest one yet—incorporates a slatted rather than a more menacing mesh design. Tiny fog lights are cleverly hidden along the outside edges.

The interior is a snug and driver-focused one. The seats are low-slung, comfortable and hold you tight, important when you’re driving enthusiastically. Unfortunately, if you have passengers sitting behind you, they will find very limited leg or headroom. Another Lexus first is the use of diffused upward-casting lighting that provides a soft, welcoming glow at night. The dash-mounted analog clock is also backlit with blue, which is a nice touch.

The RC feels composed on the road, absorbing imperfections and negotiating turns without missing a beat. A Drive Mode Select toggle allows the driver to choose between ECO, Normal and Sport modes, changing the throttle and shifter characteristics. The specialized exhaust system emits a pleasantly subtle engine burble under hard acceleration, but is surprisingly quiet under normal driving conditions. Available in six different configurations, all models use a 3.5-litre V6 developing 307 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque.

The 2015 Lexus RC: bringing sexy back, starting at MSRP $54,600.