2022 Lexus RC 300

As standard, Lexus would offer the 2022 RC 300 in two different trims. The range would start with the base coupe with prices starting from $42,720. The souped-up F-Sport variant of the same car would set you back even more with prices starting from around $47,190. A 2.0L inline-4 will be the primary engine option available for the 2022 RC 300 series with the V6 reserved for the AWD trim. The AWD trims are dearer by around $2,500 from the base rear-wheel-drive configuration, given that it brings in an engine upgrade as well. Note that the prices will vary in accordance with the trim. Also going by the trend, Lexus will presumably push out the limited-run Blackline Edition sometime after launch which will boast sportier visual elements and would carry a hefty price tag as well.

Coming to the equipment, the 2022 RC 300 will be adorned by all LED lights on the exterior and the wheel arches will be filled with some beautifully designed 18” machined alloy wheels. On the insides, the car comes with perforated Nu-Luxe upholstery for the seats while the dashboard and door panels get a mix of Liner Espresso and Dark Macho wood trimming. The steering wheel and the shifter knob also come covered with high-quality leather. The driver seat comes with 10-way power adjustability which includes adjustable lumbar support as well. 

The passenger seats are limited to only 8 levels. Both seats get heating function as standard though. Infotainment duties are taken care of by a 7.0-inch color display connected to a 10-speaker premium audio system. There is also an option to go for the bigger 10.3-inch system but that comes only as a part of an additional package which would set you back an extra $1,645. A driver color multi-information display and dual-zone climate control system are also a part of the standard package. Some of the equipment that comes with the car are listed below.

Which trim should you buy?

Since the only available choice for the new Lexus RC 300 is between the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configuration with strict engine options. The RWD variants have to do with an inline-4 turbo while the AWD gets stuck with the V6. We suggest you go for the former one as the AWD configuration always has more powertrain loss and increased fuel consumption, especially with the V6. 

There is nothing much differentiating them in terms of raw outputs. Unless you live in a place where the winters are bad, we would recommend the rear-wheel-drive configuration any day. Also, if you are someone who likes a bit of added sportiness and is someone willing to pay a few thousand dollars more, we suggest you go for the F-Sport variant as that car is better in every single way than the regular RC 300.

Release Date

We haven’t got any official information on the launch dates, but based on what we saw from previous years, it should be sometime during the fall. Expect the cars to arrive at the dealership a month from the announcement with deliveries following close by.

Since most of you would be using this class of cars as either daily commuters or cruising machines, fuel economy becomes a great factor when choosing one. As far as we can tell, the Lexus RC 300 will not disappoint you in that regard, at least in the turbo-4 format. Squeezing out a respectable 25 mpg in the combined cycle and touching nearly 31 mpg on highways is not an easy feat by any means. Also, the 17.4-gallon fuel tank it beholds is one of the biggest in competition and promises a tank range of about 435 miles in a combined driving cycle, which by far is the best figure. That said, if you are more of a V6 kind of guy, prepare yourself for the dismal economy figures. 26mpg is the best it can squeeze out and that too at cruising speeds.

Taking a clear look at the figures we find that the Lexus RC 300 is the least fuel-efficient car in this bunch returning just 21 mpg in the city. The BMW, Audi, and the Mercedes are in striking range when driven inside the city with the BMW inching ahead by a single mile. Also, the BMW surprised us with the 34 mpg economy that it claims on the highway despite pushing out some crazy numbers with two turbos. 

The Quattro did eat into the A5s figures but not to a point that it affects the drivability. The real disappointing fact is that the Lexus falls behind in every single test. The only thing that is working in favor of the RC 300 is the 17.4-gallon tank and that too if someone ever plans to drive it over 500 miles non-stop.

Since 2022 is not a year for a major overhaul of the RC series, expect the 2022 RC 300 to greet you with the same insides as the current generation car. If you have been inside a Lexus, then it would be a familiar place for you. Even though the design might look a bit conventional, the quality and attention to detail are one of the best. The front seats do have nice contouring and do hold you in place nice and tight. The leather-wrapped steering, as well as the shifter knob, falls into your hand pretty easily and it takes no time to find your perfect position. That said, the second row is not the most usable and the 50.8’ legroom is one of the lowest in the competition.

 A 7’ infotainment system is set right in your eye-line although using it is far from what you would label as intuitive. Also, the 10-speaker audio system is some of the best standard systems we have heard. A dual-zone climate control system with cabin filter and smog sensor comes in as standard fitment. You get a 10-way power adjustable driver seat and 8-way power passenger seat as standard fitment with both offering heating function. Additional touches like fine wood cabin inserts, Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay, and steering mounted paddles shifter does raise the sense of occasion a fair amount.

This is the spot where the RC 300 stands apart from the crowd. Simply put, it offers the roomiest and comfortable front seats in this comparison. 45.4 inches of legroom at the front is by far the best in competition and you feel it when sitting inside it. The Audi falls short in this department with just 41.3 inches to spare. The second row feels almost identical with the BMW proving to have the best legroom. 

Also, the 430i steals the show with the biggest cargo hold in this comparison boasting about 12 cu-ft of usable room. The RC 300 falls short in this with just 10.4 cu-ft to spare, which is the lowest in this comparison. Some of the standard features that are expected to come with the 2022 Lexus RC 300 are listed below:

• 7” color infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 10-speaker Lexus premium audio system
• Smart access push-button start
• Backup camera
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Nu-Luxe perforated upholstery
• 10-ways power driver seat and 8-way power passenger seat
• Heated front seats
• Adaptive cruise control.

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The new Lexus RC 300 is expected to come with a 7” color infotainment system as standard. Though the touchpad-based control is not the most intuitive, the inclusion of Android Auto and Apple Car play would make it usable. It also includes the latest Lexus Enform app which enables remote access, vehicle health report, schedules services, and even supports voice commands. 

Also, the car comes with a premium Lexus 10- speaker audio system that comes in as standard fitment which is one of the best factory systems around. If you are willing to pay extra, the Lexus will happily provide you with an upgraded 10.3 in a multimedia system with navigation for $1,645 and a Mark Levinson 17-speaker premium audio system at $2725. Some of the few important infotainment features expected in the 2022 Lexus RC 300 are:

• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display(standard)
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Satellite radio.
• Auxiliary audio input.
• Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto/ Amazon Alexa
• Navigation system. (Optional) 
• 10-speaker Lexus audio system (standard).
• Real-time parking assists with a backup camera.
• Lexus Enform Wi-Fi
• Voice Commands/Assist

The 2022 RC 300 is expected to look more or less identical to the current generation. Everything from the sharp headlamps to the big front spindle grille is expected to remain the same.18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels will adorn the wheel arches. This car is eye-grabbing the way it looks and as far as we’re concerned doing anything more would be overdoing things. 

The sharp-looking bi-LED headlamps do render it that sporty appeal and that huge cascading grille makes it unmistakably a Lexus. The long sharp clear lens tails lamps, the swept-up boot line, and dual chrome-tipped exhaust carries the sportiness to the rear end as well. The overall design now looks all the more similar to its bigger LC sibling and that is in no way a bad thing. 

The BMW 430i is the biggest car when it comes to dimensions and it is reflected in the overall usable space inside the car. The Lexus by no stretch of the imagination is the biggest car in this comparison and it’s only its weight that comes on top. That said, numbers tell only one part of the story as the RC 300 has the best front seats in this comparison. Being the one with the shortest wheelbase, rear-seat space and boot space of the RC 300 are a bit compromised and stays at the bottom of the competition. Some exterior features expected on the 2022 LC 300 are listed below:

• Bi-LED headlamps with running lights
• Full LED taillights
• 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels
• Bright metallic front grille with chrome trim
• Power moon-roof (optional)
• Rain sensing wipers( package)

Since the Lexus RC 300 is expected to share all the underpinnings with the current sibling, the structural safety should also be identical to that car. As for that, the RC 300 series does have an overall good rating from the IIHS. In addition to that, the 2022 RC 300 should also come with a whole host of passive safety systems and the inclusion of additional driver assistance tech. Some of the safety techs that are expected to be incorporated on the new 2022 RC 300 are listed below-

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Intelligent High Beam
• Smart stop technology
• Brake Assist
• 8-airbags

2022 Lexus RC 300 vs 2021 BMW 430i.

The pricing is the only place where the RC300 seems to have an advantage over the 430i. On every other front be it performance, handling, or even comfort, the BMW 430i matches or overcasts the 2022 RC 300. If we were the one doing the picking, we would definitely put in that additional money and get the BMW 430i. For an additional $3000 or so, you are essentially getting a newer and better-engineered car here.

2022 Lexus RC 300 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-300 Coupe.

Even though the Mercedes-Benz C 300 is the better one when it comes to outright numbers, we reckon that the RC 300 beats it when it comes to comfort and functionality. Also, if you are someone who is in for the looks, the RC 300 will appeal to you more. All said, one of the primary factors working in the RC 300’s favor is the reliability and the C300 would find a tough time matching that.

2022 Lexus RC 300 vs 2021 Audi A5.

When it comes to performance, the Audi A5 coupe just demolishes the RC 300. Talking about styling between these two, it’s just personal preference. Even with Quattro AWD and more power, the A5 is just the more efficient car here. We don’t see a reason why you should pick the RC 300 over the A5 Coupe. Exclusivity, maybe.

The 2022 Lexus RC 300 is undoubtedly one of the best-looking coupes around with an unmatched predicted reliability rating. But when you are spending around 40 grand for a car, you would expect more especially when it comes to performance and the kind of technology on offer. This is where the RC 300 falls short of its competition. If you are looking for a coupe that ensures peace of mind, looks apart, and boasts top-notch comfort levels, the Lexus is sure to intrigue you with its style and poise. But if it were our money, any of the above-mentioned competitors would be our primary choice over the Lexus.