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The Lexus RC is a sporty two-door luxury car that’s sometimes overlooked. In many ways, it’s as good as German rivals like the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5. The RC has the distinction of the reliability and overall quality that the Lexus brand is famous for. We also like the surprising level of mechanical variety in this coupe.

The RC is also a little more affordable than its European competitors. Let’s look at the cost of the 2024 Lexus RC coupe. We’ll also examine what you can expect to pay for a fully loaded example at its top trim level. However, we’ll exclude the high-performance RC F since that’s technically considered its own model.

The 2024 Lexus RC 300 base model

The 2024 Lexus RC starts at $45,920. That’s for the base RC 300 with rear-wheel drive. Power for RC 300 models with RWD comes from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 241 horsepower.

Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, perforated NuLuxe interior trimming, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, and wood interior trim. The standard infotainment system has an 8-inch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and a 10-speaker audio system.

The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 safety tech suite bundles desirable driver assistance features. It has automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and road sign assist.

Upgrading to the RC 300 AWD costs $48,610. In addition to adding all-wheel drive to the RC 300, it has a whole different engine. It’s a 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp. Lexus estimates the AWD model has a 0-60 mph time that’s a full second quicker than the four-cylinder RC 300. However, other than the powertrain and standard heated front seats in the RC 300 AWD, the standard and optional features are about the same.

The RC 300 F Sport starts at $50,540. It has the same two powertrain options as the base RC 300. The F Sport trim adds upgraded brakes and suspension, a sporty appearance package, heated and ventilated F Sport front seats, a memory driver’s seat, a power steering column, aluminum sport pedals, dark gray interior trim, rain-sensing wipers, active sound control, and performance-inspired instrumentation.

The more powerful RC 350 starts at $48,850. It uses a sport-tuned version of the 3.5-liter V6 and pumps out 311 hp. Unlike the models with “300” in the name, the RWD and AWD variants of the RC 350 both use the same engine, with AWD as a $2,165 option. Powertrain aside, standard features are very similar to the RC 300.

What’s included in the 2024 Lexus RC 350 F Sport?

The top trim of the 2024 Lexus RC is the RC 350 F Sport. It starts at $53,470. On this trim, AWD is a $1,725 option.

As you may have guessed from the name, the RC 350 F Sport takes the powertrain of the RC 350 and adds the F Sport treatment. That means upgraded brakes and suspension and a sporty appearance package inside and out. However, one feature unique to this trim is a cold air intake.

The price of the RWD RC 350 F Sport can go higher than the AWD model because it has more performance options available. Specifically, the Lexus Dynamic Handling system with four-wheel steering and variable gear-ratio steering.

When you add that package plus options like the Mark Levinson premium audio system, premium paint, orange brake calipers, a power sunroof, and a limited-slip differential, a fully loaded 2024 Lexus RC 350 F Sport costs $62,510.

Is a fully loaded RC coupe a good value?

The cost of a loaded 2024 Lexus RC 350 F Sport is actually pretty reasonable compared to competitors. A BMW M440i or Audi S5 with similar performance and equipment can go into the upper $60k range. In this way, the Lexus RC is an appealing and reliable alternative to pricier luxury coupes with higher ownership costs.

However, some reviewers, like Car and Driver, think the latest RC performs poorly compared to the rest of its class, citing a severe lack of power and space and ranking it far below the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series nameplates.

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