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Lexus RC

11 model years from 2015 to 2025, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Lexus RC
Pictured: 2018 Lexus RC 300h F Sport LSS+ CVT 2.5. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2015–2025
Class
Subcompact Cars
Latest engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
Best MPG
22–26 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2015 (14)
Fewest problems
2023
Interest
7,571 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2025 RC in brief

The 2025 Lexus RC is a subcompact car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl and 5.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,891 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (21 city / 31 highway), 8% better than the 2025 subcompact car average of 23.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.

The Lexus RC has 11 model years in our data, from 2015 to 2025.

Its most efficient year was 2018 at 26 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 26 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the unknown or other (12), fuel/propulsion system (10), service brakes (4).

Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2017 is the year to avoid.

2019 has the most recalls (3); all years together count 3 campaigns and 37 owner complaints.

How the 2015 RC compares

The 2015 Lexus RC is a subcompact car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,748 lb (350 2dr Coupe RWD).

About the Lexus RC

The Lexus RC is a compact executive two-door coupé manufactured by Lexus, Toyota's luxury division. The RC which according to Lexus stands for "Radical Coupe" is a two-door coupé version of the Lexus IS (XE30). The RC is designated as the XC10 series. The RC borrowed styling from the LF-LC concept and was previewed by the LF-CC concept, being designed as a proposal by Pansoo Kwon from 2010 to early 2012 and approved by supervising designers Yasuo Kajino and Tatsuya Takei.

From the Wikipedia article "Lexus RC", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2025 RC pros & cons

Full 2025 details →

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Compare the RC with any other car →

RC changes by model year

  1. 2019
    • Best combined MPG down from 26 to 24
  2. 2018
    • Engine added: 5.0L 8-cyl
  3. 2016
    • Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
    • Best combined MPG up from 22 to 26

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 11 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20252.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl25 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated01
20242.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl25 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated00
20232.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl25 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated00
20222.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl25 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated11
20212.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl25 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated10
20202.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl24 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated12
20192.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl24 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated34
20182.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl26 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated22
20172.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl26 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated39
20162.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl26 MPG185 in3,891 lbNot rated14
20153.5L 6-cyl22 MPG185 in3,748 lbNot rated214
Best combined MPG by model year — Lexus RC
2015: 22 MPG2016: 26 MPG2017: 26 MPG2018: 26 MPG2019: 24 MPG2020: 24 MPG2021: 25 MPG2022: 25 MPG2023: 25 MPG2024: 25 MPG2025: 25 MPG201520172019202120232025max 26 MPG

Alternatives to the 2025 RC

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2025 Lexus IS25 MPGNot rated0
2025 Tesla Model 3363 miNot rated3
2025 Audi A626 MPGNot rated3
2025 BMW 2 Series30 MPGNot rated0
2025 Cadillac CT526 MPG★★★★★0
2025 Acura TLX25 MPG★★★★★2

Most common owner-reported problems

Unknown Or Other12
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Service Brakes4
Electrical System4
Seats4
Engine3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Visibility/Wiper2
Owner complaints by model year — Lexus RC
2015: 142016: 42017: 92018: 22019: 42020: 22021: 02022: 12023: 02024: 02025: 1201520172019202120232025max 14
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →