2020 Lexus RC F Review and Test Drive

This week I am behind the wheel of a Lexus, but probably not the 4-door luxury car that comes to mind. No, this is the 2020 Lexus RC F, a hot-looking sporty coupe with a swooping roofline, some amazing 19” alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler that activates itself or you can operate it with the push of a button.

Powertrain

The surprise for most people, including me, was what was under the hood. This beast has a 5-liter V8 pumping out 472-horses and 395-pound feet of torque without the use of turbochargers or superchargers. In other words, it is just pure, raw, old-fashioned horsepower. With the help of an 8-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles, the RC F will get you from a dead stop to 60-miles per hour in just over 4 seconds, which is terrific for an almost 4000-pound car. When you test that time, the RC F squats from its rear-wheel drive platform and it just goes! You’ll get a little tire slippage at first, but the limited-slip differential does its job and if you use the Launch Mode button, you get all the possible power without breaking a tire loose. Keep your foot buried against the floorboard and it will quit pulling at 168-miles per hour, which is electronically controlled.

Interior

Once you open the door, that Lexus luxury jumps out at you. Leather and carbon fiber welcome you into what feels like a plush NASCAR racer. The bolstered seats are high back and powered with 10-adjustments. The multi-function steering wheel lets you control audio and gives you menu options. The gauge cluster is bright and easy to see through the power tilt wheel.

High on the dash is a 10.3” infotainment screen that operates everything from navigation system, apps, all audio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay. Android Auto is not available in the RC F at this time but is planned for the future.

Everything on the infotainment screen is operated from the Lexus Remote Touch Pad on the driver’s side of the center console but can be reached from the passenger seat as well. I have to say, the Touch Pad frustrates me and I find it distracting. I suspect it gets easier the more you use it, but in a week’s time behind the wheel, I never quite got it down.

Also, on the center console you can change the drive modes. Choose from Eco, Normal, Sport, and the option I chose by far the most: Sport Plus. Truly, the different modes change the RC F drastically.

As you would expect with a sports coupe, the back seat is extremely small, but it is easy to access for a briefcase or purse. This is a car you could take a trip in because it has more than ample cargo area, which was a pleasant surprise.

Standard Features and Options

The RC F comes extremely well-equipped with standard features, but my test vehicle was ordered with over $23,000 in optional features. Half of that is the $11,600 Performance Package, which, in my opinion, would be a must-have. This gets you these carbon fiber features: front spoiler, rocker panel splitters, the power spoiler, and the entire roof is carbon fiber. The roof looks great but also makes the RC F lighter and gives it a lower center of gravity.

• The $5,350 Premium Package gets you heated and cooled seats, blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, the power heated tilt steering wheel, and auto dimming mirror.
• The 19” wheels adds $1,500, the Mark Levinson sound system is $2,725, orange brake calipers are $300, and there is a $500 charge for the Flare Yellow paint.

Ride and Drive

The RC F is a true driver’s car that makes a great daily car. Acceleration is awesome, the sound of the exhaust system is addictive, and handling in all situations-including hard cornering-is precise with no lean or slippage.

Fuel Economy and What You’ll Pay

Fuel economy, when driven nicely (a real challenge) is 16 in town, 24 on the highway, and 19 overall. Total MSRP is just over $89,300.

Verdict

Often, 2-door cars are not for everyone, but if a luxury sports coupe fits your lifestyle, do yourself a favor and check out the Lexus RC F.