2022 Lexus RC 350

If you want a car with curb presence, the 2022 Lexus RC 350 has it. Like a home that draws you in with shaded porticos and intricate flagstone, this Lexus sport coupe cuts a sharp figure with its creased metal, steeply raked windshield and sloping roofline. The RC isn't quite as sporty as it looks, however. Its 311-horsepower V6 engine hauls the car up to speed just fine, but in the curves and corners, the portly RC 350 proves less nimble than its main rivals. The F Sport trim's adaptive suspension and optional grippy summer tires dial up handling performance, but ultimately the RC 350 is more about cruising and comfort than speed or dynamic movements.

The interior is small, but the soft-touch materials are supple and tightly assembled. The firm ride is absorbent enough for choppy commutes, and the seats hold fast without intrusive bolstering. Perhaps the RC 350's biggest drawback is that it hasn't evolved much since its introduction. Recent updates to the Audi A5/S5 and BMW 4 Series have made them more fuel-efficient and tech-friendly than the Lexus. But the RC 350 still has enough appeal to make it worth checking out if you want a distinctive and comfortable luxury coupe. Read our Expert Rating for a deeper dive into the pros and cons of this year's RC.

The RC 350 exists in a space between a grand-touring coupe and a sports car. It never really settles into either role, but it does deliver on the luxury coupe experience with excellent build quality and eye-catching styling. A frustrating tech interface and tight interior, however, make it tough to fully recommend.

How does the RC 350 drive? Outright performance isn't the game the RC 350 prefers to play. Accelerating to 60 mph takes 6.2 seconds. That's not as quick as most of its competition, especially those fitted with six-cylinder engines.

The F Sport's available summer performance tires return fairly good braking and handling numbers should you decide to drive with some gusto. The car responds well to steering inputs but lacks the eagerness to change direction you might expect in a sport coupe. Much of that comes down to the RC's 3,800-pound curb weight. But the RC 350 will inspire confidence and is ultimately easy to handle at the limit.

How comfortable is the RC 350? Tight interior aside, the RC provides the level of suppleness you'd expect from a luxury brand. The well-bolstered seats help keep you in place while cornering, but the bolsters aren't so large that they make the seats uncomfortable.

The stiff, sporty ride matches the RC 350's visuals. In short, it's busy over less than perfect surfaces and can be tiring over longer drives. The RC 350 is pretty quiet, though. Road and wind noise is minimal at any speed.

How’s the interior? The RC is one of the larger luxury coupes in the segment, but it has the smallest interior. We struggle to think who the rear seats would serve. Even small children will find the lack of rear legroom a problem. As with many coupes, the RC's long doors can be an issue in tight parking lots.

It takes a while to get used to the layout of the center stack's organization and the types of inputs — both physical and touch-sensitive — but it makes sense after practice. The touchpad that controls the entertainment system requires too much attention from the driver.How’s the tech? The large entertainment screen looks impressive, but it's frustrating to operate. It locks out many functions while the RC is in motion — that might be a good thing because of how cumbersome it is. Phone integration now includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay at least. And the optional Mark Levinson audio system sounds terrific.

The adaptive cruise control manages speed without needing much driver input. Unfortunately, it doesn't work under 25 mph, so it's ineffective during the most frustrating parts of the commute. You also have to be ready on the brake pedal for when traffic slows and the system stops working.

How’s the storage? The RC's trunk is one of the smallest in this class. You can get more room by lowering the rear seats, but you can't do so from the trunk. You have to climb into the back to reach the release switches.

The center console has just enough room for a few phones. The door pockets fall on the smaller side of the spectrum, and there are just two cupholders. Outside of these options, the back seat becomes the main storage space for larger bags and sports water bottles.

How’s the fuel economy? With an EPA combined rating of 23 mpg, the rear-wheel-drive RC 350 returns slightly below average fuel economy for the class. Adding all-wheel drive lowers that number further. Competitors with similar performance are able to achieve better highway mpg. We averaged 20.7 mpg over the course of 365 miles in our test car.Is the RC 350 a good value? The RC boasts meticulous attention to detail. The interior panel gaps are uniform throughout, and the absence of squeaks and rattles provides a sense of quality assembly. Some plastic materials, especially the panel that surrounds the center clock and air vents, look slightly out of place.

You'll likely pay less to get an RC compared to some rival coupes, and you get some true highlights for the money, such as the sound system and the build quality. But German competitors offer more performance, interior space and fuel economy for your dollar.