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Lexus RC 350 Review 2015

 

Good points

  • Distinctive, captivating looks
  • Aggressive pricing, generous equipment
  • Luscious aspirated V6

Needs work

  • Slower than a German six
  • Thirsty – there’s no turbo here
  • Heavy

The Lexus RC 350 is a thoroughly enjoyable weekender that bundles a V6 for the price of a European four-cylinder. Like its other two-door competitors, the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, this coupe is all about weekend road trips. Grab somebody you like, load up a decent playlist, throw in a couple of weekender bags, and hit the road.

Is this Japanese luxury touring coupe good enough to dethrone the German options from the top of the two-door class? Lexus have built their first properly competitive model in this segment, and the RC 350 woos with its aggressive and unique styling, coupled to its 3.5-litre V6, available on all models from a low starting price of just $66,000 for the Luxury base model.

We spent 2,500 kilometres with two RC 350s, and we came to the opinion that it is very good indeed – quite capable dynamically; intriguingly beautiful to look at; and tremendously comfortable to sit in and live with.

ChasingCars.com.au borrowed these trims for our Lexus RC 350 review:

  • 2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport (middle trim), with the 3.5-litre aspirated V6 (233kW/378Nm) and eight-speed automatic, in Lava, with black leather, priced at $74,000 before on-road costs.
  • 2015 Lexus RC350 Sports Luxury (top trim), with the 3.5-litre aspirated V6 (233kW/378Nm) and eight-speed automatic, in Mercury Grey with black semi-aniline leather, priced at $86,000 before on-road costs.
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Budget Direct
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Key specs (as tested)

Engine
Capacity
3.5L
Cylinders
6
Induction
Naturally aspirated
Power
233kW @ 6400rpm
Torque
378Nm @ 4800rpm
Configuration
Conventional
Power to weight ratio
137kW / tonne
Fuel
Fuel type
Petrol
Fuel capacity
66L
Consumption
9.4L / 100km
Average Range
702km
Drivetrain
Transmission
Automatic
Drivetrain
Rear wheel drive
Engine configuration
V6
Gears
8
Dimensions
Length
4695mm
Width
1840mm
Height
1395mm
Unoccupied weight
1700kg
Cargo space seats up
423L
Cargo seats down
N/A

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