With Lexus being serious about its luxury moniker, the 2016 Lexus RC F Coupe will not disappoint in this category. Coupling performance and high-end details to the tune of a vehicle that is refined, classy and overall desirable, the RC F is one to watch.
For 2016, new additions include the availability of orange colored brake calipers, but little else changes the already pleasing RC F package.
The F in the name means it is the ramped-up version of the RC coupe and you might already be familiar with the less daring siblings the RC 200t, RC 300 and RC 350. In the sportier segment the competition includes the BMW M4, Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe and the Cadillac ATS-V.
The 2016 Lexus RC F only offers one trim with a rear-wheel-drive and it will hold four passengers. From the 19-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, keyless ignition and entry and the power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel to the auto-dimming mirror, 10-way power driver seat and heated front seats with simulated leather upholstery, you will know you have entered the lap of luxury.
The technology features include not only the standard Bluetooth needs for the phone and audio, but a seven-inch screen, voice commands, satellite radio, 10 speakers and the Lexus Enform Remote and Service Connect features. The Lexus Enform makes life easier and you can lock or unlock the doors remotely from the phone as well as start the car or turn on the air-conditioner and heating from afar.
While the RC F offers many standard features, there are also a few extra packages for additional goodies like the Premium package option with heated and air-conditioned front seats, carbon-fiber interior trim, auto-dimming side mirrors and blind-spot monitoring or there is the Performance package that has a carbon-fiber roof and a rear spoiler and a torque-vectoring differential. The All-Weather package comes with a windshield de-icer and heated steering wheel and the Navigation package comes with a mounted touchpad control, navigation system and an upgraded audio system.
Under the hood, the 2016 Lexus RC F has a 5.0-liter V8 engine that cranks out 467 horsepower with 389 pound-feet of torque. It is an eight-speed transmission that is automatic only.
For safety, its antilock disc brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, front-seat side, front knee and side curtain airbags as well as the Lexus Enform Safety Connect that offers all sorts of emergency notifications including a collision notification and roadside assistance. With the Premium package, you also get blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and with the cruise control option there is collision mitigation that allows for automatic braking if a front-end incident seems likely.
You will find overall the 2016 Lexus RC F to be a handsome car with high-end materials used throughout and take note that the dashboard and armrests are overly padded for extreme comfort. This is also an easy car to road trip in since the sport seats are supportive with plenty of room. However, the back seat passengers will likely not find as much comfort be it leg or headroom.
The trunk will only give you 10.1 cubic feet and the seats in the back do not fold down.
The driver seat arrangement is sporty and you can liken it to a cockpit. The knobs and dials are easy to use and understand, but I am still not a big fan of the touchpad control for the navigation system. It is a bit too sensitive to the touch and it is hard to use when driving. This can be overlooked in some cases since a few of the functions still have knobs for easier use when the touchpad gets too frustrating.
Driving the 2016 Lexus RC F is an enjoyable experience since you can expect plenty of power and ease while owning the road in this one. There are also the adjustable driving modes to experiment with depending on how you want to drive the car and there are driver-selected shifts by way of the paddle shifters for even more fun.
Luxury and performance fit well here with tight steering and easy control and it won’t take you long to realize that the RC F is a unique little machine that will offer fun on the road for a short drive or a long haul road trip this summer.
Should You Need to Know: The Lexus RC F was presented in 2015 and was the third vehicle to sport the “F” offering supreme performance and luxury alongside the LFA and IS F from the brand.
Miles Per Gallon: The 2016 Lexus RC F will give you 16 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.