I love the RC350 as a luxury sporty coupe which is sadly a rare combination - the blue test car with the contrasting beige interior just looks fabulous compared to black the Germans usually come with and is great value :) great review Tom
It seems to be more of a Grand Tourer to me. No digital speedo...no worries. Smurf (Crystal) Blue with Honey leather...very nice. Fuel consumption...as expected. 18" wheels...good choice for Aussie goat tracks. Nice recipe for sure.
Have a 3 series right now M340i is appealing but Lexus Toyota longevity is also appealing a Lexus that is both luxurious and handles well sounds like an option worth exploring
I drove a Lexus IS 250 Sports Luxury for a few years and was very happy with its reliability, fit and finish. I am sure the RC 350 is a superb cruiser. Would consider one. Note: love these shots at Akuna bay 👍
It is refreshing to find an automotive journo who identifies the big problem with over size wheels on cars marketed to Australia. This is something I have been whining about for years. I want a big get output engine with wheels/tires suited for Australia’s great backroads. I ride those roads on a BMW adventure bike and our roads all up and down the east coast are world class for pleasurable riding and driving BUT, if in a car, the big BLING wheels spec’d for Aussie imports are totally unsuited, if not stupid. Please keep on pointing this out.
A family member has one of these, it simply is stunning to look at, very luxurious on the inside too. I found the transmission was a bit slow and laggy to shift after pulling the paddles.
Nice vid Tom. Good to see a corporation still selling an 'affordable' traditional luxury sports coupe that probably doesn't really sell enough in Oz to warrant carrying the parts and training for. Not a fan of the obligatory Chinese market big mouth clown grille but the rest makes me overlook it. 136 kW/t is enough to still have fun but not get it court order crushed. At 1740 kg she ain't a ballerina but the 4cyl is only 25 kg less. The V8 is a weapon but for the extra 100 kg and double the price isn't a sensible option. This version, as you said, is the sweet spot for the RC.
Nice , honest review Tom,like always. Looking forward to Lexus Nx 2022 review. Most awaited mid size Suv with a complete exterior and interior overhaul. Most reliable luxury cars. I still cannot make up my mind between Is300 or is300h or is350. Absolute beauties in their own way.
@@chasingcars Tom, a quick question, where did you film the review? lovely spot. An observation, just over $70K before on roads sounds like great value, but that translates to $81,463 on the road in most states.
I've test driven both RC and IS with v6 and even though the build quality is pretty impressive, they're not that fun to drive compared to cars bmw and audi produce. So it's really hard to convince a young wealthy person to spend that much money on a car that feels grown up and forgettable. That's why you usually see mature people in their 50s and 60s behind the wheel of a lexus.
lol iv owned all sorts of non M / amg / rs euros And only fun euro I enjoyed a lot was e46 330ci My RC is everything I ever wanted out of all the euros
@@chasingcars I’m 5 years away from retirement and I’m going to test drive all 3: standard model, F Sport and RCF. One of these will be my retirement gift to myself I like that the standard model has 18 inch rims with more rubber from rim to floor which gives a nicer ride but other than i like all the F Sport features over the standard model.
incredibly happy that you included servicing/maintenance costs!!! this is why you guys are my favourite car youtubers :)
I love the RC350 as a luxury sporty coupe which is sadly a rare combination - the blue test car with the contrasting beige interior just looks fabulous compared to black the Germans usually come with and is great value :) great review Tom
It seems to be more of a Grand Tourer to me. No digital speedo...no worries. Smurf (Crystal) Blue with Honey leather...very nice. Fuel consumption...as expected. 18" wheels...good choice for Aussie goat tracks. Nice recipe for sure.
Brilliant review. I love how you find the sweet spots in the range.
6.5sec and a revved out V6 will provide lots more thrill time than a blink and you've lost your licence sub 5sec turbo.
EXACTLY
These cars are best bought used . Trust me , I have one
Excellent review Tom - the 2GR series of engines are one of the best engines out there! Thank you!
Have a 3 series right now M340i is appealing but Lexus Toyota longevity is also appealing a Lexus that is both luxurious and handles well sounds like an option worth exploring
I drove a Lexus IS 250 Sports Luxury for a few years and was very happy with its reliability, fit and finish.
I am sure the RC 350 is a superb cruiser. Would consider one.
Note: love these shots at Akuna bay 👍
Humble flex in the luxury coupe market
It is refreshing to find an automotive journo who identifies the big problem with over size wheels on cars marketed to Australia. This is something I have been whining about for years. I want a big get output engine with wheels/tires suited for Australia’s great backroads. I ride those roads on a BMW adventure bike and our roads all up and down the east coast are world class for pleasurable riding and driving BUT, if in a car, the big BLING wheels spec’d for Aussie imports are totally unsuited, if not stupid.
Please keep on pointing this out.
Love the Lexus reviews :-)
Should I buy a rc350 2015? 😅
great review...I own one. Very happy with it.
Good to hear.
Nice car nice video review nice jacket
Nice looking car. I'd love to give it a drive too. I've never needed a digital speedo in my car, although I'm old school :)
Tyre sidewalls - underrated in 2021
Could you incorporate in each review an opinion on seat comfort, lumbar support etc… it would be appreciated.
A family member has one of these, it simply is stunning to look at, very luxurious on the inside too. I found the transmission was a bit slow and laggy to shift after pulling the paddles.
They've fixed that gearbox trait.
@@chasingcars thanks for letting me know, do you know if existing owners can get a software update for that?
Hey there, can anyone fact check this: I thought the f-sports came with an LSD, and the luxury without.
Isn’t the RC300h (Hybrid) available here in Australia?
Love mine
Does this car have any advantage over the is350 (ignoring the looks)? Is it the same, better or worse car dynamically?
I hope those are not in US dollars over there. This is a 56K car and RCF is starting at 65K in the US
Nice vid Tom. Good to see a corporation still selling an 'affordable' traditional luxury sports coupe that probably doesn't really sell enough in Oz to warrant carrying the parts and training for. Not a fan of the obligatory Chinese market big mouth clown grille but the rest makes me overlook it. 136 kW/t is enough to still have fun but not get it court order crushed. At 1740 kg she ain't a ballerina but the 4cyl is only 25 kg less. The V8 is a weapon but for the extra 100 kg and double the price isn't a sensible option. This version, as you said, is the sweet spot for the RC.
What about comparing that to kia stinger...
Lexus to Kia, what a joke! To ever making a 😆
Tom, why are you driving it so slow ?
$79 924 Drive away in NSW. Is negotiation even viable with Lexus, especially given the low supply for most cars gkobally?
Do the back seats fold? I passed on a IS250 about 10 years ago because the seats didn't fold= can't put surfboards inside.
Great vid
Thanks!
Nice , honest review Tom,like always. Looking forward to Lexus Nx 2022 review. Most awaited mid size Suv with a complete exterior and interior overhaul. Most reliable luxury cars. I still cannot make up my mind between Is300 or is300h or is350. Absolute beauties in their own way.
The F Sport means you dont get real wood trim either. Get the normal one
Nice spec for a RC Coupe!
Somebody had a good eye when choosing the colour and trim.
@@chasingcars Liking the lighter blue exterior paint.
@@chasingcars Tom, a quick question, where did you film the review? lovely spot.
An observation, just over $70K before on roads sounds like great value, but that translates to $81,463 on the road in most states.
Good review Tom. The let down is the interior for me.
Great car, great value that the euros can’t compete with in Australia
why my 2019 edition service is $800 in melbourne, lol
I've test driven both RC and IS with v6 and even though the build quality is pretty impressive, they're not that fun to drive compared to cars bmw and audi produce. So it's really hard to convince a young wealthy person to spend that much money on a car that feels grown up and forgettable. That's why you usually see mature people in their 50s and 60s behind the wheel of a lexus.
But it is fun to drive
lol iv owned all sorts of non M / amg / rs euros
And only fun euro I enjoyed a lot was e46 330ci
My RC is everything I ever wanted out of all the euros
This RC 350 needs to be the F sport version. Giving up too many options with the standard model
Ah, but the standard model drives so sweetly!
@@chasingcars I’m 5 years away from retirement and I’m going to test drive all 3: standard model, F Sport and RCF. One of these will be my retirement gift to myself
I like that the standard model has 18 inch rims with more rubber from rim to floor which gives a nicer ride but other than i like all the F Sport features over the standard model.
Big block?
Me too 😂
I see it. I like it. I want it. Shut up and take my money!
Some 'sticker shock' given it looks rather like a top Camry. However, if you intend to keep it for longer than usual, LEXUS is the way to go.
But that grill though
I have a Volvo XC90
this isn't a sports car, it's much more of a grand tourer.
I would much rather have the new 4 series with it’s 🐽 grille.
That’s the luxury of choice in a healthy new car market.
buy a stinger, capped price servicing for 7 years, 7 year warranty, more room in the back, faster, cheaper.
Very different demographic, less refined, likely worse customer service and a far worse interior.
NO MORE SUVs! I’m not a soccer mom.
That same shit interior needs to change already
I actually prefer the look of the IS 350 :-O
The absence of a digital speedo is unacceptable in this day and age
You need to get F sport
Analogue > digital. Analogue is beautiful to look at.
Lexus is a great car but two things let it down badly. The CVT gearbox and a terrible infotainment system.
This car doesn't have a CVT, it's an eight speed torque converter auto
Cvt only on hybrids and the ux200.
Blue is totally the wrong colour for this car. Looks like a child’s toy
Slow, heavy, poor handling and gas guzzling. I would choose the Model 3 SR+.