Lexus RC 200t review ~ station of gear

18 Jan, 2016 9:00am Lawrence Allan

Regular Lexus RC coupe has the looks to take on the best, but does it deliver on its promise?

Lexus may have wowed Detroit showgoers with its stunning new LC 500, but the coupe’s cheaper brother, the RC, is already a striking proposition. Up to now we’ve driven only the spicy RC F – this is the first time we’ve tried the standard version.

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The regular RC has a lot of visual clout. Our car stands out in F-Sport spec and with its bold optional Solar Flare paint, but even lesser versions are far more distinctive than their BMW 4 Series and Mercedes C-Class Coupe rivals.

The interior is solidly built and feels upmarket, although it isn’t as stylish as the C-Class Coupe’s cabin. There are some lovely details, however, such as the white ambient lighting on the doors and instruments inspired by those in the LFA supercar, which electrically slide across to reveal a neat menu screen.

Front seat occupants are well catered for, but the back seats are tight for adults and the boot isn’t much to shout about – at 374 litres, it’s 71 litres and 26 litres shy of the BMW and Mercedes respectively.

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There’s plenty of kit, though. Other than the paint, the £1,995 Premium Nav was the only option on our test car, and as standard you’ll find heated and cooled electric leather seats, LED headlamps and adaptive suspension. F-Sport gets a limited-slip diff and a ‘Sport S+’ mode to stiffen up the car.

• Lexus RC F vs BMW M4

If those last additions sound racy, however, don’t be fooled – the RC is still very much a cruiser at heart. Our car had the entry-level 241bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol, which never feels all that quick. That isn’t helped by the eight-speed automatic gearbox, which changes smoothly around town but is dim-witted on kickdown. Manual mode isn’t quick enough, either.

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The Lexus is also hindered by its weight. It’s around 170kg heavier than the 4 Series, so simply isn’t as sharp to drive. Turn-in is direct, and it initially feels planted, but up the pace and its body moves around too much. The steering is well weighted but lacks feedback. Sport S+ mode sharpens things up a little, but not enough.

Add in the fact that the engine never really makes itself heard and you have a sporting coupe that doesn’t exactly thrill.

Unfortunately, the 200t’s 168g/km CO2 emissions trail the 420i’s 144g/km, while it’s £2,000 more expensive than the BMW.

The RC will definitely appeal to those who want a comfortable, reliable and genuinely striking coupe. But it can’t quite deliver the driving experience that the looks promise; the BMW 4 Series offers a better ride and handling compromise. Lexus’ coupe is less efficient, heavier, less practical and pricier than the Germans, too. Still, if you’re tired of those excellent, class-leading two-doors, the RC fits the bill well.

Model: Lexus RC 200t
Price: £36,495
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol
Power: 241bhp
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

0-62mph: 7.5 seconds
Top speed: 143mph
Economy/CO2: 38.7mpg/168g/km
On sale: Now

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