DRIVEN: Lexus RC-F - Has Boring Been Banished From The Brand?

When talk turns to high performance in cars, Lexus seldom springs to mind. Yes, it has built the passionate IS F sedan. Who wouldn’t want an LFA supercar? Still, Lexus hasn’t attracted the kind of attention that BMW M, Cadillac V and Mercedes AMG cars have.

Fortunately for everyone’s inner Speed Racer, Toyota President Akio Toyoda is demanding more passion from his luxury division. And lo, the engineers have delivered the RC F. With plenty of oomph from its 5-liter V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, all wrapped in a two-door coupe, the RC F ventures into territory defined by the Camaro SS and Mustang GT. To find 467 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque throbbing under the aluminum hood of a Lexus is heartening.

PUGPROUD - 2/11/2016 7:58:24 PM

+3 Boost

From a performance standpoint Lexus is like a girl with a great personality but a little on the heavy side. You can overlook it and have a good time or not and look elsewhere...your choice.

W124E320 - 2/12/2016 9:09:50 AM

+1 Boost

Completely agree, except that homely girl, that really needs a bag over her head, but has this smokin' frame... Lexus is simply the hideous choice for near luxury. They don't make a single vehicle I'd want to be seen in...

TheSteve - 2/11/2016 8:45:01 PM

+3 Boost

Well, Lexus' vehicles certainly don't look boring. And their sales are healthy. And the company is profitable. And Lexus customers are happy. So I guess all is well for Lexus.

(I just couldn't see myself owning one)

cidflekken - 2/12/2016 1:24:53 AM

+2 Boost

Lexus' sales numbers are misleading.

Aggregate sales, yes, they look healthy. But, in detail, not so much. Take out their two most conservatively styled cars (ES and previous RX) and the picture changes dramatically. The IS comes nowhere close to the C or 3. The RC isn't close to the 4. The GS is so far off the E and 5 (two older models at that). The LS can't even see the S with its high beams and was about 30% behind the 7 last year. The only newer model that seems to be competitive is the NX, but even still, it's still getting outsold by the Q5 and RDX, both with similar price points. And the GX's sales only saw a revival after a significant price cut.

jeffgall - 2/11/2016 8:54:03 PM

+2 Boost

Boring to tasteless. That is Luxus's problem. Cheap and tacky design execution. I rather have a Mustang GT or M4. They are true to themselves and not trying to be something they are not.

MDarringer - 2/11/2016 9:38:28 PM

0 Boost

In a word: yes.

While the Mustang GT and BMW M4 are "true to themselves", the RC/RCF "are not trying to be something they're not."

The RC/RCF models are trying to be compelling ALTERNATIVE to the 4 Series and M4 that is not trying to be a German COMPETITOR. They succeed easily on that goal.

Lincoln has clued in with the Continental on that respect.

The Lexus coupes offer styling that doesn't give a rat's ass about what the German competition looks. They are not being a slavish copycat like the Giulia.

The RCF is very "Vegas" i.e. risque, naughty, a little crass, and a whole lotta good fun. They are very "me" and that's whay I like them.

cidflekken - 2/11/2016 10:52:00 PM

+5 Boost

Boring? No. Tacky and tasteless? Absolutely.

MDarringer - 2/12/2016 8:30:49 AM

+3 Boost

And yet, tacky and tasteless is in fashion due to ballers, rappers, Kardashians, the Beebs...

jeffgall - 2/12/2016 9:00:13 PM

+1 Boost

Yet even the ballets and rappers raring drive Lexus

MorePower - 2/12/2016 12:51:38 AM

+5 Boost

Is Lexus a "boring" brand? YES

Has Lexus made quality product? Sometimes

Will the RC-F do anything to change people's perception of Lexus? NO

MicrosoftUser - 2/12/2016 1:19:43 PM

+2 Boost

Answer: NO. A guy at least in his late 60's - mid-70's parked his RC-F right next to me and all I could think about is he is typical of all the old people I see driving Lexuses them even a RC-F and ironically the next day I saw another old guy driving a different colored RC-F. Even to this day when I see a Lexus the first thought that comes to mind is it's a japanese Buick for an old person who just wants the reliability of japanese car.

HenryN - 2/12/2016 2:05:56 PM

+4 Boost

I see a lot of old fat guys driving Corvettes too.

cidflekken - 2/12/2016 3:31:34 PM

+2 Boost

It's the new mid-life-crisis car for those who don't want to get a Corvette. I've seen very similar to what you've seen as far as drivers of the RC-F. I have yet to see anyone under 50 driving one and the only drivers I've seen of the RC350 are middle-aged females. Maybe not the target demographics that Lexus intended, but as some people say, "sales are sales".

MorePower - 2/12/2016 5:41:10 PM

+4 Boost

@Henry M

You forgot to add balding, some with optional pony tale and Hawaiian shirt.

@cidflekken

Ultimate mid-life crisis car for those that don't want a Vette, but can not afford a Porsche

MDarringer - 2/12/2016 8:36:39 PM

0 Boost

It sounds like fat, balding, pony-tailed, Hawaiian-shirted, Viagra users are the ones here doing the trashing of the RC/RCF to be honest.

carsnyc - 2/12/2016 9:08:52 PM

+2 Boost

Too many lines and creases plus front and back lights are horrendous.

iamdabest1 - 2/14/2016 11:38:47 PM

+1 Boost

i drove the rc-f and LOVED it, don't know why you guys all hate on it. are you at least all being honest, have you all driven it or just making statements based on looks and what you read in motor trend ?
looks are subjective, I personally like the looks, i think it looks bold and aggressive but i can see where people think its overdone and tasteless.
couple months back it was leasing for 650 a month with 1500 total out of pocket for 74k car !!
id take an rc-f at 650 and I'm sure many others would as well.

MDarringer - 2/15/2016 8:55:30 AM

+1 Boost

The fat, balding, pony-tailed, Hawaiian-shirted, Viagra users here that are trashing the RC/RCF have never driven one and probably cannot afford one either.

The RCF is a hoot to drive. It's 100% not a BMW and THAT is why it's compelling. It's definitely not a wannabe.