Lexus RC 300 2021 Review

A small luxury coupe, the 2021 Lexus RC 300 offers sporty looks and a choice of two powertrains: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder with rear-wheel drive or a 3.5-liter V6 with all-wheel drive. Both are competent but lack power compared to class rivals and leave the RC feeling less sporty than it looks. Fortunately, the Lexus RC lineup also includes the more powerful RC 350 and RC F. We review those models separately on MatoCar.

As for the RC 300, it's best for stylish cruising. Inside, the RC has impeccable craftsmanship, with excellent materials and build quality all around. The ride is smooth and quiet, too. Want to know more? Check out the categories of our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth evaluation on the 2021 RC 300.

Which RC 300 does MatoCar recommend?

We recommend the rear-wheel-drive RC 300 base model. It offers a long list of standard features and safety aids, and can be fitted with most of the RC's options. The F Sport model is appealing, but we advise buyers looking for more performance to check out the RC 350 or the RC F instead.

The 2021 Lexus RC 300 comes in two main versions: base and F Sport. Both offer one of two available powertrains. The rear-wheel-drive model is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (241 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) that drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive model comes with a 3.5-liter V6 (260 hp, 236 lb-ft) and a six-speed automatic. Feature highlights include:

Base Starts you out with:

• LED headlights
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Heated front seats (with all-wheel drive)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• 7-inch infotainment display
• 10-speaker sound system
• Lexus Enform connectivity services with on-board Wi-Fi

Every RC 300 also comes with:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Lexus and the vehicle in front)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the RC back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)

F Sport The F Sport is a sportier RC that adds on:

• Mesh grille and a unique front fascia
• Unique interior fittings and an upgraded instrument panel
• Adaptive sport-tuned suspension dampers
• Upgraded brakes
• Sport front seats

Several other options are available, most bundled into packages such as:

• Premium package
• Driver memory settings
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Power-adjustable steering column
• Navigation with Mark Levinson Audio package
• 10.3-inch screen
• Upgraded voice controls
• Surround-sound 17-speaker audio system
• Black line Special Edition
• Special interior trim and wheels
• Upgraded LED headlights
• Zero Halliburton custom luggage

Other stand-alone options include:

• Limited-slip differential (enhances traction for performance driving; F Sport only)
• Heated steering wheel
• Sunroof
• Upgraded LED headlights
• Parking sensors