2023 Lexus RC F

Unlike sports coupe competitors such as the BMW M4, the 2023 Lexus RC F is sticking to its guns with a naturally aspirated V8 engine instead of something turbocharged. This grants it access to 472 horsepower and a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.2 seconds, which isn't far behind its rivals. It's even quicker in Track Edition guise, but going this route sees the price climb to nearly six figures, and even this version lacks the sharpness of some rivals. But the Lexus makes up for any shortcomings with a premium interior and loads of character. It is also remarkably well-equipped for a car designed to go fast, with many advanced safety and comfort features as standard. For this reason, the RC F is more of a comfortable cruiser than a true sports coupe, but it may just be able to meet both needs well enough to appeal to most shoppers.

The price of the new 2023 Lexus RC F reflects its status as both a premium tourer and a somewhat capable sports car, with the base model starting at $67,045. With its aerodynamic profile and carbon fiber components, the RC F Track Edition delivers even more impressive performance, but it will cost you dearly at $99,920.

These are the MSRP prices for the Lexus RC F and do not include the destination charge of $1,150 or any other administrative fees.

Considering it is more of a road car than a genuine track star, it makes sense that the 2023 RC F exhibits some understeer, though you can get it to oversteer if you apply yourself to the task. Either way, the handling and steering are quite neutral. It goes around corners with poise, but the sometimes slow shifts of the automatic and minimal feedback through the wheel, combined with quite a heft curb weight, see it function better as a straight-line muscle car.

You can adjust the suspension to suit your needs, but even in its stiffest setting, the car remains composed and comfortable. Bumps in the road are easily smoothed over, and low-down acceleration is great. All of this combines to deliver an experience more akin to that of a grand tourer than a corner-burning speedster. You could choose to outfit your Lexus RC F with some carbon bits, courtesy of the Carbon Package, but even combined with the grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, it's not enough to make the coupe feel like a bonafide sports car.

While would love to give it a spotless review, the Lexus RC F is starting to feel a little outdated with its thirsty V8, questionable infotainment controls, and overpriced range-topper. And yet, it's exactly some of the RC F's old-school traits - the lack of turbocharging or electrification and a focus on comfort rather than optimized track times - that give it a unique personality in this class. The Lexus is still an absolute pleasure to drive, albeit in a more laidback manner than you would a BMW M4. Still, when all is said and done, there are simply better cars available in the USA, regardless of which side of the fence you come down on, and they are generally not as expensive, even at the upper end of their model ranges.

Considering that it only shaves off a couple tenths of a second in terms of 0-60 mph sprint times, the almost six-figure RC F Track Edition is simply not worth the money, especially when you consider that it's not bringing anything more to the table in terms of comforts and luxuries, which is where the real strength of the RC F lies. Thus, we say stick with the regular model, and if you really want all that carbon, tack it on with the Carbon Package and save yourself around $15k.