Not long after its last update, the 2019 Lexus RC is on sale in Australia, priced from $66,174 plus on-road costs ($74,661 drive away). A mid-life tweak rather than an all-new model, the updated RC sports a new look, new standard equipment and a tweaked value equation to keep fresh in the mid-size coupe segment.
The brand has also updated the RC’s interior for a more luxurious experience with new materials and a new clock now standard, while the car’s steering and suspension has been revised slightly for more engaging handling and superior ride quality.
Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said the latest updates had further enhanced the RC’s reputation.
“The latest RC Line’s sporty appearance and versatile driving character have been inspired by our flagship LC coupe, consolidating its position as an outstanding premium luxury coupe in the market,” Mr Thompson said.
More noticeable to buyers will be the 2019 Lexus RC’s added standard equipment across the range. The RC Luxury earns blind-spot monitoring with lane change assist, automatic wipers, cornering headlights and new side mirrors, which feature a wider field of vision. That’s on top of the already standard 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tailights, leather upholstery, power steering column and front seat adjustment, keyless entry and start, satellite navigation and a 10-speaker sound system.
All 2019 Lexus RC variants also include Lexus Safety System+, which includes forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection, automatic high beam headlights, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning with steering assist.
The up-spec RC F Sport has added new 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with a ‘triple stack’ light arrangement, aluminium trim inlays and automatic high beam headlights. That’s on top of adaptive suspension, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, an F Sport steering wheel, a limited-slip differential, sports front seats and acceleration sound control, which pipes some engine sound into the cabin.
Price rises have accompanied the update, with the RC300 Luxury up by $845 and the RC350 Luxury $1,845. F Sport variants have also risen by $200. There are two available option packages for the RC range – Enhancement Pack 1 adds 19-inch alloy wheels and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system for $1,990 to Luxury variants. Enhancement Pack 2 adds Pack 1 and an electric sunroof and smart-key card for $4,690 – the sunroof is available as a standalone option on the RC F Sport for $2,500.
The 2019 Lexus RC range continues with the same drivetrains as before, with a 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine powering the RC300, and a 232kW/380Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 powering the RC350. All models feature an eight-speed automatic transmission and are rear-wheel drive.
2019 Lexus RC pricing:
RC300 Luxury: $66,174 ($74,661 drive away)
RC300 F Sport: $74,529 ($84,431 drive away)
RC350 Luxury: $69,874 ($78,546 drive away)
RC350 F Sport: $77,529 ($86,581 drive away)
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