WASHINGTON — The Lexus RC coupe is a bit a departure for the normal conservative Lexus, with its sporty style outside, V6 and V8 power, plus better handling.
It is a pleasant surprise in the normal luxury coupe market. But the price of the RC 350 that I drove last year was around $55,000, which is a bit steep for some. Luckily, Lexus now offers a more affordable version, the RC 200t, at starting price of around $40,000.
Speed and sportiness are usually associated with two-door coupes, but this new RC 200t does not feel that quick with 241 hp. It’s fine for normal use, but when you push it, you can tell that there is some weight to this car — 3,700 pounds of it.
I call it a comfortable touring car with a bit of sport baked in. It handles well but not as sharp as some other coupes on the market. It does make for a nice daily driver and highway runner. It’s a Lexus so expect a quiet ride with nice manners on all types of road surfaces. The eight-speed automatic is smooth and offers quick shifts when called to do so.
Fuel economy is rated at a combined 26 mpg, but I only hit 24 mpg in my 364 miles of mixed driving. Your field of view from this car is pretty good for a sporty coupe and is better than some of the competition.
Styling is standout even after a few years on the market. That large egg crate grill leads the way. Some say it is a bit much, but I like a little spice in the luxury coupe market, where staid and conservative are the norm.
The RC 200t has a lot of curves and angles for a Lexus, so much so that it really stands out in a crowded parking lot. The side view is met with creases, angles and air vents toward the rear of the car. Even the rear styling is interesting, with a dual exhaust system and taillights that have interesting angles — not the typical rectangle or squares. It’s good Lexus didn’t add some large wing on the back, which it would have cheapened an expensive-looking coupe.
The inside is what you would expect a Lexus to be. It comes with nice leather seats that are heated and ventilated, for example. But it will cost $2,990 dollars for the luxury package.
It also adds a heated steering wheel, power steering wheel tilt and telescoping, and some safety features, such as blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert.
The NAV system is also a $1,530 option that adds a backup camera and voice command. The screen is set back far in the dash and is smaller than the RC 350. The voice recognition works well, but the touchpad requires the lightest touch, otherwise you’ll miss what you’re trying to find or enter the wrong menu. It does work better than the mouse knob that’s in some Lexus models. Thankfully, the radio has knobs for volume and tuning even though four presets are all you need for WTOP and our sister station WFED.
The fit and finish throughout are great and the seats are comfortable. Despite two doors, the back seats could be used for children and adults could do short trips.
The Lexus RC 200t, the new entry-level sporty coupe with that famous high-quality Lexus appeal, starts at $40,000 but doesn’t feel or look like a cheap ride. Its four-cylinder power can make for a more eco-friendly partner just be easier than me on the gas pedal.
All in all, if looks are high on the list for your next car, this luxury sporty coupe is worth your time.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
