2017 Lexus RC 200t Turbo FIRST DRIVE REVIEW (2 of 2)

MotoMan drives a third derivation of the Lexus RC Sports Coupe - this time with a 4 cylinder, turbo engine. This comes after driving a wave of European luxury cars that have gone the same turbo route - including Mercedes and Volvo. The question MotoMan attempts to answer by driving the Lexus RC Coupe: Does Sports Coupe with a balance towards efficiency and the worldwide tax man?
For more information, watch our 2017 Lexus RC200t TECH REVIEW @ • 2017 Lexus RC 200t Tur...
- or -
2015 Lexus RC F FIRST DRIVE REVIEW @ • 2015 Lexus RC F - Firs...
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[@davidwolf226]

While you posted this review 8 months ago, I have an answer regarding WHY Toyota/Lexus do NOT incorporate Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. I spoke with the technology specialized from my local Lexus dealer and I asked the same question. His response is that Lexus has serious concerns about the personal security issues with Apple and/or Android smart phones. Lexus is currently working on a program that will address these concerns, but will be using a different interface to enable their customers to have a more secure access to their smart phones. While the Lexus rep could not give me a date when this new technology would be available, he did state that the engineer's at Lexus hope to have this available in the "near future"... whenever that may be. You may have also heard the same thing in the intervening months since the RC review was posted. Anyway, I thought you appreciate this "answer". Loved the review of this RC, by the way.

[@Tully3674]

I'd stick w/ the Lexus. Call me cautious but (and I think 98% of consumers fall into this category) I will never take the car to its limits. With that said, reliability has to be a factor and that's what puts the Lexus on top of the list (also that I have owned a MB and Lexus. I can can attest to Lexus reliability but for MB,...). Greetings from SoCal.

[@teddythodo3302]

Lexus all the way, this review made me want this car. I'm seriously thinking about pulling the trigger.

[@williamgrear7467]

I bought a red Lexus Nov. 18 RC300. After watching this I went with the 2L turbo and it has plenty of power for me because I'm 70 and don't race anymore. Good job Motoman!

[@jjtrigg]

after driving the q60, the c300, and the rc200t, I bought a 200t f sport. The Lexus just feels better all around.

[@LacoteCohen]

Cannot wait for the LC500

[@tomekhome]

2 more weeks and I'm receiving this puppy in the beautiful ultrasonic blue :) The answer why is: best looks in class, great interior, great customer service and reliability. Hated bmws cheap interior, didn't quite like the mercedes chassis, so the choice was quite obvious. Greets from Poland.

[@musicloveranthony]

ATS Coupe all day. I love my Cadillac ATS. I have a 2.0 RWD with the LSD and staggered tires. It's such a blast to drive. My friends that have driven it are always impressed by the steering and the handling. I have driven both the Lexus is200t and the Mercedes C300. Both admittedly had more ergonomic interiors but neither drives like the ATS. Oh, also I live in Minneapolis and I daily the ATS. Snow tires for the win!

[@IceDree]

I'd totally pick an ATS Coupe, but given its nearing its end of life, I rather wait & get the next gen CTx. So I was thinking one of 2 options. 1) Buy a used ATS coupe 2.0 & do an LS conversion. 2) Lease an ATS coupe or a 4-series coupe temporarily & return it once the new CTx comes out & buy it. 3) I thought about trying out Book by Cadillac, but now details are out, I have to pass on that.

[@futbol1972]

I have a 2017 rc 200t f sport with 29500 miles. There is a yellow triagle lighg with an exclamation poing on dashboard. My friend hooked up the scanner and he mentioned something about the voltage been to high? it also showed Parking Assist Monitor Codes 2. Also Heating and Air condidioning-HVAC History Codes-4 and Antilock brakes- current codes -codes 1 Too low or too high battery Volts.

[@joachimmagnusson3128]

In this segment i would go for the Volvo S60 Polestar, 4 cyl, 367 hp. Yes, it is more expansive but what a car with only 4 cyl. And yes, i am living in Sweden.

[@eleganz]

Ready for the LC, when are you going to do a review on the LC?

[@MotoManTV]

Don't know . . . Sadly, there were some personnel changes at Lexus USA which impacted our timely access to the car. Working it out now and hope to get it resolved shortly.

[@TheDonYG]

hellopuppy00 The only reason why I would choose this RC 200 or RCF 350 over any BMW and Mercedes-Benz is for their reliability. Though, if I didn't give a fuck about high maintenance, I would buy the Break My Wallet M6 smfh

[@Reddstarz]

I choose the Lexus 200t rc F because it's a lexus. And it's a rare wheel drive. And because I live in Minnesota where it snows a lot.

[@dcharizard91]

Some owners of Lexus with adjustable dampers put it in Sport S+ mode, go to the engine bay, and unplug the power source to the dampers, so they stay in the stiffest setting.

[@gene978]

I love this Guy! He loves Antonio, Swiss Alps. Everything about Cars (and I mean everything) Great Food, and he is a real Gentlemen and Stud and Loves his Woman. Talk about Loving Life! MUSIC, Scenery, WOman, Cars, Food, and he has Respect for Nature.

[@Mitchell527]

Great review, I would choose a Lexus over Mercedes for reliability and looking.

[@vtir65]

Really great review......I couldn't decide between the Mercedes C 300 coupe or the Lexus RC 350 F Sport.....I think I now know what to order.....Thank you for such a detailed review

[@ARentz07]

I need to really try one, but I think I'd be looking at an A5. I'm a big fan of the styling, and the new interior is just handsome. Of course I'd give the RC a fair shake, as a current IS driver. Coming from Kansas City.

[@aurelioduarte-encinas8211]

I’m excited for the LC, of course!

[@bogdan135]

This kinda reminds me of my brother's 05 330ci: makes around 235 hp, has about same interior space, and gets 23 mpg in mixed driving. There are no damper settings or anything like that, but it rides smooth enough and still sharp in the corners with the sport pack and hydro steering (the Lexus does have double wishbones though). The safety features and interior are quite behind the new breed of coupe, but looks? I'll let you be the judge of that. And lets not go into how unfair the comparo is in terms of price (he got it for $5K), because they were in same bracket new.

[@pweecervantes4652]

LC 500 yes moto man can't wait till you review it

[@VAIF19]

REVIEW THE LC PLEASE! Make 10 videos about it.. and at least 2 of them tech reviews of the multistage powertrain

[@pablolopezsimon3798]

Rc for me because it looks the best, has the best interior and it has Lexus's reliability. From Spain. Here we don't have the rc 350 or the rc200. We only have the RCF or a hybrid version with 223 bhp.

[@itsmekenlai]

Completely outside of LC500's target market so you can take your time with the review. I'd go 428i, 428i GC, C300 coupe, then the RC. Driving dynamics still matter.

[@boboutelama5748]

4 Lbs difference between the v6 and the 4 cylinder. Do you really believe you are going to feel that ?

[@canmtb4676]

My wife hated WRX STI I used to own, cuz really bad ride, big rear wing, and ugly, but my daughter really loved it. Lexus really did a good job on designing RC. Toyota will have more engine selections utilizing TNGA. Thanks to the fact that T. Uchiyamada, current chairman of Toyota, finally admitted that it had focused too heavily on hybrid technology and it did not put resources on new engine development.

[@lewisbarbieri1677]

I am thinking about getting either the 2018 rc300 f sport. Which is a rear wheel drive 4 cylinder turbo. Or the 2018 RC350 f sport. Which is the v6. Tossing up between them. Because I heard the 300 has lag. But it's better on fuel than the 350. Between those two cars. Which would you recommend?

[@ErikThureson]

Well done.

[@boboutelama5748]

So, in the end, Lexus should divide his cake in an other way. A 3L V6 atkinson with double turbo and 335hp to the crank would do the job and would reunite v6 fans in search of smoothness and sound, and I4 fans that are searching fuel economy.

[@omaralissa407]

I wish you could put the Mercedes c300 head to head with Lexus Rc 200t

[@doubleaadogg]

I really like interiors. For me, Lexus and Audi do the best interiors. So either the RC or the A5 would be my choice. On the outside, I like the way lexus is going with their design. And I admit I'm tired of the jelly bean look. But that A5 is still so so good looking to my eye. I'd have to drive them to decide between the two. Kinda need AWD since I live in wet wet wet Portland OR.

[@martin781578]

RC 300h for me,London

[@coureurdebois]

love it

[@Kanexx7z]

Point blank Q: Is this car to refined to feel like a real sports car?

[@StephenButlerOne]

Your remark about the wife saying you can't have the fun car made me laugh. I'm car shopping atm, (long process), and my wife said to me, "your 36 do your really need a fun car your not a kid anymore" . Which made me laugh, she doesn't drive, and doesn't care for cars, but also made me feel old for the first time in along time. It's not like a want a lotus (well you never know) or similar. I want an estate (wagon) just with the fun less efficient engine, I'm done with coupé, to much hassle so I may be getting a little old lol. Still want some fun when she isn't in the car nagging about the speed (cough sound). Se equates noise to speed, so when dropping down, on her 'reality' in going fast, cos the revs jump up.

[@MotoManTV]

Have MANY a friend that have succumbed to their respective 'High Commissioners' disapproval of 4 wheel antics . . .

[@StephenButlerOne]

MotoManTV I'm going skoda Octavia estate (wagon) vRS 220 (220bhp 280lb-ft) next, the wife thinks it's we should go for the new 1.4l petrol 150bhp engine, which lacks the torque , it's about 140lb-ft, or something crappy. No doubt a good little engine that will do 60mpg (proper uk gallon 😬) , and be fine around town for the non car person. But if I have to have a "grown ups" car lol, I want the power to have a little fun when alone. The Vrs does that. Plus it shares the auto DSG out of the audi which I very much like. The price difference isn't that great between the cars, and the spec in the vRS is better as as well as the 2l engine. Only down side is the mpg real world is about 25mpg, (again real uk gallon) which isn't so great. Especially at £1.10 ($1.40) a litre But that is the price of fun. The price of the car rrp is about £27k pick it up for probably £24.5. Or a 6 month old demo car for £20k I've seen a few of, if you dont mind taking that spec. But for between £7k - 4.5k I could be persuaded to take the colour and seats I probably wouldn't of spec'd. You need to get a Octavia vrs on the show. The wagon looks nicer to me. If you have already, could you link me to your review.

[@cadsux]

Comparably equipped, this costs the same as a fully loaded Mustang GT Premium, same weight, but half the power. 0-60 in 7.3 seconds (per Lexus website), that's about 2 seconds slower than the Mustang V6. Well, the Mustang doesn't offer heated steering wheel, moonroof, nor headlight wipers. I wouldn't get a turbo; less reliable, hate the noise, optimistic mpgs. Although, that engine would be great in the Toyota 86. The LC looks good, and is what the RC F should have been, but is way too expensive for what it offers. San Francisco peninsula, CA.

[@henlolneh]

sure the numbers might match up but there is no way in hell that a buyer in the lexus rc 200t market (hell, just the lexus market in general) would even think twice about picking up a mustang instead... 0-60 second times are cool and all but completely irrelevant to day to day activities. no one out there is seriously tracking a v6 gt mustang nor is anyone looking to buy a 17' lexus rc 200t to track as well. with that being said, if both cars are comparably equipped, why would you not take all of the little amenities that make normal, day to day driving much more comfortable ie. the heated steering wheel, headlight wipers, and the moonroof?

[@cadsux]

Those amenities are additional cost options to the RC 200t, and would bump up the cost. I thought the same way, until I bought my '15 Mustang GT Premium, which is quite comfortable & quiet, has amenities such as adaptive cruise, heated/cooled seats, costs 40% less than an overpriced RCF, and gets looks from other luxury car owners. Even my friends who are BMW and Benz owners are quite impressed. Heck, my wife use to be an import luxury snob and snicker at muscle cars until she rode the Mustang. $40 to $50k for refinement in a 4 cyl turbo? There are better choices. Heck, get a Golf R.

[@swanblake]

Lexus IS200T if it had a manual. Since it doesnt, Cadilac ATS manual 2.0T. However I really hope Lexus hears me and puts a manual tranny and lsd init. Milwaukee WI

[@davidbach7003]

No lexus has a manual

[@seven203]

Could Subaru use RC platform to make a sport car ?

[@armink9686]

They already have the BRZ, and the RC platform isn't really the greatest for a sports car.

[@seven203]

What about the new platform, TNGA ?

[@armink9686]

I doubt Subaru and Lexus need eachother. Subaru is capable of making a sports car on its own.

[@seven203]

Really ? well don't looks like.

[@JohnBlazeZero]

@@armink9686team Vasser Sulivan thinks otherwise. The RCF has been a consecutive winner in weather tech GT Series

[@phatlakersfan1]

This car has Turbo lag, it feels super heavy and the engine does not match the car. It feels like its always trying harder than it should vs on the C class it does not. If fact i think the C class has a much better engine match to the RC. Any how I'd rather get a 430i if i had to go 4 cylinder coupe. That car is a head and shoulder above the competition in terms of performance.

[@agentassfart3046]

YO GUCCI SAAAANNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@monsterzx6rr85]

That cars too heavy to drop in a 4 cylinder.

[@williamgrear7467]

No it's not.

[@mr.carbine1578]

4 cylinders are for priuses not sports cars #screwmpg2016

[@surfer78222]

Bis später😂

[@jeffaschoff4933]

Lexus grill today is 1950's Edsel front end...ugh!

[@headcas620]

Ugly car. No manual. If i wanted a luxury car i'd get a v8 mercedes and if i wanted a sporty coupe i'd get a used cayman.

[@tropicalstorm339]

headcas620 - remain hateful my friend...

[@daveup7503]

This dude talks way too much.

[@bk3e90]

This car is so boring....

[@ARentz07]

Fatlum Peci well that's just like... your opinion, man.

[@ARentz07]

+1, the weight does hold their lineup back in general, in terms of limit handling, though I don't know if that necessarily makes the cars "boring".