Lexus RC F 2021 Review

Lexus is the only Asian automaker competing in the high-performance luxury coupe category, but it does so with a car that's seen eight years since its last full redesign. Its lusty V8 engine aside, the 2021 Lexus RC F is increasingly anachronistic in a segment that includes the likes of the Audi RS 5, BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C 63.

Still, Lexus is doing its best to keep RC F fresh. There's a new limited-production Fuji Speedway Edition this year. And when we say limited, we mean it. Lexus plans to build just 60 examples of the car. It comes with special paint and extra carbon-fiber body panels, among other extras. All RC Fs also have more standard features this year.

The RC F is the last "F" model Lexus sells, now that the GS F sedan is gone from the automaker's lineup. Soon, the new 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance arrives, equipped with the same V8 engine found under RC F's hood. According to Lexus, it "ushers in a new era of F Sport Performance models." If you read the tea leaves, it's easy to conclude that the RC F's days might be numbered. Should you still get a 2021 RC F? Check out our Expert Rating below for our in-depth evaluation.

What's it like to live with?

MatoCar spent six months living with a 2015 Lexus RC F, and while the car has had many improvements over the ensuing years, it is fundamentally the same high-performance luxury coupe we put over 10,000 miles on at the time. If you're curious about what it's like to live with the Lexus RC F, check out our long-term test report.

Which RC F does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 RC F luxury coupe comes in just one trim level. Under the hood is a 5.0-liter V8 engine (472 horsepower, 395 lb-ft of torque). It's connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. Standard feature highlights include:

• 19-inch forged aluminum wheels
• Limited-slip rear differential
• Driver-selected driving modes
• Launch control
• Adaptive suspension dampers
• Summer performance tires
• Speed-activated rear wing-style spoiler
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable seats
• Digital gauges with g-force meter and lap timer
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Lexus Enform connected services, including Wi-Fi
• Amazon Alexa integration
• 10-speaker audio system
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

The RC F also includes Lexus Safety System+, a collection of advanced driving assistance systems with:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Lexus and the car in front)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
• Automatic high-beam headlights

Most RC F buyers will want the Premium package, which includes:

• Leather seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Power-adjustable steering wheel
• Front and rear parking sensors

A Carbon package is also available. It includes the contents of the Premium package plus:

• Carbon-fiber roof
• Carbon-fiber spoilers, splitters and rear diffuser panel
• Carbon-fiber interior trim

The Navigation/Mark Levinson package is a worthy upgrade. It installs:

• Navigation system
• Dynamic voice recognition
• 17-speaker premium surround-sound system
• Lexus Enform Destination Assist concierge services

Additional options include triple-beam LED headlights, a power sunroof and a torque-vectoring rear differential.

The RC F Fuji Speedway Edition emphasizes weight reduction to shave nearly half a second off the car's standard 0-60 mph time of 4 seconds. Highlights of the car include:

• 19-inch ultralight forged aluminum wheels
• Exclusive Arctic Blast Satin or Cloudburst Gray paint
• Carbon-fiber hood
• Carbon package (with red interior carbon-fiber trim)
• Red synthetic suede interior trim
• Carbon-ceramic brakes with red brake calipers
• Titanium exhaust system
• Limited-production MSTR automatic movement watch (for your wrist)