Lexus, the upscale arm of Toyota, has been building its performance image in recent years with "F Sport" versions of various models. With the 2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport, the company has hit the bullseye.
A surprisingly large number of strangers asked me about the car as I drove it around. They were drawn to the exterior styling and F Sport package features, including the special grill, wheels and trim pieces. And the bright red paint didn't hurt, either.
But the F Sport package is more than just a trim option. It also includes an Adaptive Variable Suspension for superior handling and a Sport mode that quickens throttle response and stiffens the suspension even more, along with perforated leather front bucket sport seats and other nice features. Together, they made the 2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport drive as good as it looks.
Lexus also has an Eco mode. It not only dials throttle response back a bit to improve economy but make the suspension noticeably softer than the Sport mode. That is not a bad thing, especially when driving in slow urban traffic on bad streets. In fact, at times like that, the Eco mode makes the Lexus easier to live with.
And, of course, there is also a Normal mode that is somewhere between the two.
Although the standard 3.6-liter V6 is not exactly a high performance engine, it feels very smooth and refined. In Sport mode, the 306 horsepower and 277 foot-pounds of torque provided good acceleration. It's not even too shabby in the Eco mode, either, at least when pushed a bit.
If you want more power, the RC F version includes a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 467 horsepower and even more aggressive styling. Most buyers should be more than satisfied with the F Sport version, however.
In both modes, the 2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport is remarkably quiet on the road with the windows up. There was little road or wind noise as the speed increased, reinforcing the luxury side of its personality. The generous use of leather in the interior also helped, especially the leather in the sides of the tall center console.
Speaking of which, there's something of a contrast between the exterior and interior styling of the RC350. The exterior design is a contemporary mix of flowing lines and sharp creases, while the dash is closer to the 1980's, when designers were experimenting with modular components, especially in the center stack. And then there's the analog clock. Somehow it all works together, though, and the overall look is a refreshing break from overly busy dashes found in many cars these days.
Because the RC350 is a compact, back seat and trunk space is a little limited. There was plenty of space for the driver and front seat passenger, even with the optional sunroof that cut into the head room a bit.
The 2015 RC350 is up against serious competition, including the Audi A5 and S5, the BMW 4 Series, Mercedes-Benz C350, and the new Cadillac ATS coupe. The Lexus has more distinctive styling, however, and the F Sport package increases the fun without pushing the price out of reach for those interested in a serious sport coupe on a reasonable budget.
2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport
Base price: $42,790
Price as tested: $54,815
Type: Compact sport coupe
Engine: 3.6 V6 (306 hp, 277 ft-lbs)
EPA estimated mileage: 19/28
Overall length: 184.8"
Curb weight: 3,894 pounds (as tested)
Final assembly: Tahara, Aichi, Japan