Introducing the Updated 2019 Lexus RC Coupe

I'm pleasantly surprised that they released it this early. I thought we wouldn't see it until the Paris Motor Show press conferences on October 2.

I like it. This is the rare midlife facelift that improves upon the original, instead of just being change for change's sake. Very curious to see how that Blue Vortex Metallic looks in person, and how it compares to the 2 versions of Ultrasonic Blue.

I like the changes. All changes are very positive. I am really looking forward to seeing the updated RCF. That will be interesting.

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This is a perfect example of throwing the baby with the bathwater. Mirrors, front and rear end styling; great, but the headlights... It's a no for me...

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This is a perfect example of throwing the baby with the bathwater. Mirrors, front and rear end styling; great, but the headlights... It's a no for me...

I really like the headlights. They are inspired by the LC headlights. My RCF has the older style, but I like the new one's too. Not sure which one will age better.

Very tempting. Should I wait for the newer IS or get this RC? My 2010 IS350 is long in the tooth and I need(want) a new ride soon.

Very tempting. Should I wait for the newer IS or get this RC? My 2010 IS350 is long in the tooth and I need(want) a new ride soon.

A good mid-cycle update, may I say as an RC owner.
The daylights are a bit small, too short, resembling a V instead of an L-shape.
But the grille front looks better.

Herewith some other pictures, taken from the Lexus Europe newsroom. This is the luxury version. Note the previous series' F Sport wheels painted in silver and the standard grille in LC-style. This restyling clearly positions the RC as a 'baby-LC'.

nice upgrade... Euro press release mentions how 2.0t has been upgraded to deliver sharper throttle response.

Joe

Herewith some other pictures, taken from the Lexus Europe newsroom. This is the luxury version. Note the previous series' F Sport wheels painted in silver and the standard grille in LC-style. This restyling clearly positions the RC as a 'baby-LC'.







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I was liking this refresh a lot until I saw this lumpy, convoluted back end. What a mess!

Faisal Sheikh

I like the changes. All changes are very positive. Lexus really got the styling right. Glad they got rid of those fake vents on the rear. Interesting to see if they are getting significantly more power out of the RC350 or not? I am really looking forward to seeing the updated RCF. That will be interesting.

Also, I hope that can address the atrociously painful front fender gap on the AWD RC350.

how would they get significantly more power than 350? I dont think there are any power changes, but there might be changes in throttle response and similar.

Updated the original post with photos of the standard RC refresh.

If you ask me, I would say wait longer and get the RCF. Having driven the RC350 and owning a Carbon/TVD RCF, I can tell it is a big step up and really worth it. It is really that good. The new upcoming updated one is supposed to be even better.

joepac

Very tempting. Should I wait for the newer IS or get this RC? My 2010 IS350 is long in the tooth and I need(want) a new ride soon.

Front end of the F Sport model is a disaster, but the standard car looks nicer and far more mature, IMO. Power upgrades would be nice - and are badly needed - but I doubt they're coming. Interior updates also look nice.

Gecko

Front end of the F Sport model is a disaster, but the standard car looks nicer and far more mature, IMO.

I wouldn't go as far as calling the new RC F Sport grille a disaster, but this is the rare Lexus model whose standard grille looks better than its F Sport counterpart. I'm pleasantly surprised.

As to the new headlights, they're also a marked improvement. I've always hated for the "Nike swoosh" daytime running lights to be a separate floating element (as on the current IS). I much prefer to have them as a single unit, as on this RC facelift and the UX. Glad to see Lexus moving in this direction.

I am curious about the new driving dynamics with the bushing and shock change on the RC 350 as that's one area I feel my 2017 could be improved (other than the tech of course).
The rest of this refresh I can do without (though I kind of like the mirrors). The back end is now a mess (why must lexus always have some drooping point on the tail lights?). I I don't feel the headlights are LC inspired at all. I think they look terrible. I really liked the DRLs being separate from the main headlight! It was very distinctive. Anyway, I will not be getting this RC when my lease is up. I'll probably buy mine as I have been pretty happy with it, and think it looks MUCH better than this update.

Joaquin Ruhi

I wouldn't go as far as calling the new RC F Sport grille a disaster, but this is the rare Lexus model whose standard grille looks better than its F Sport counterpart. I'm pleasantly surprised.

As to the new headlights, they're also a marked improvement. I've always hated for the "Nike swoosh" daytime running lights to be a separate floating element (as on the current IS). I much prefer to have them as a single unit, as on this RC facelift and the UX. Glad to see Lexus moving in this direction.

Unfortunately, it's not just the grille. Look at the number of hard lines, textures and materials just in this section alone:



Every single part of the front end is unnecessarily busy and overstyled. The mesh in the grill should just go all the way across without stopping to give the appearance of air inlets - it makes no aerodynamic difference. Partial mesh in the center portion with horizontal bars on the sides - which don't seem to be functional? The lip under the grill folds under, creating yet another line. Headlights have three distinct elements - LED check, small LEDs for turn signals and stacked LED projectors for high/low beams. One or two "busy" elements is cool and creates a focal point, but with this, I literally don't know where to look first.

i prefer the UX headlight. But, it might look better in person

I think the front end will "simplify" in lighter colors; the RC's IMO always looked better in light colors, much as the LS looks better in dark ones. Overall I like it; it creates a visual lineage with the LC (and to a lesser extent the ES and LS), which is exactly what they needed to do.

Not a fan of neither headlights or taillights. I don't think they flow right like the previous. That V drl strip is at some weird angle that doesn't stack right with angle of LED clusters. Bottom addition to tails is very unnecessary and looks like an afterthought in design process, kind of like we are going to make these trendy, smooth and skinny taillights.. oh damn it we forgot to add turn signal light!

mediumhot

Not a fan of neither headlights or taillights. I don't think they flow right like the previous. That V drl strip is at some weird angle that doesn't stack right with angle of LED clusters. Bottom addition to tails is very unnecessary and looks like an afterthought in design process, kind of like we are going to make these trendy, smooth and skinny taillights.. oh damn it we forgot to add turn signal light!

i thought old rear lights looked too much like Toyota.

I think its a great update, pleasantly surprised. I will miss the awesome separate DRL...

Now how about a hybrid RC here in the states!

so the car is 5 years old and all we get cosmetically is slightly changed headlights/tail lights and a few new colors. was expecting more radical change considering its called Radical Coupe. this isnt very radical at all. looks like its going to be another ten year car without much change during its lifespan. love the RC but im sick of seeing 2015 when i look at it. how about a longer wider lower profile? how about some razor sharp body sculpting? how about a unique dashboard that isnt a hand-me-down from the IS? i am less then disappointed. epic fail.

Rob_LexusTech

so the car is 5 years old and all we get cosmetically is slightly changed headlights/tail lights and a few new colors. was expecting more radical change considering its called Radical Coupe. this isnt very radical at all. looks like its going to be another ten year car without much change during its lifespan. love the RC but im sick of seeing 2015 when i look at it. how about a longer wider lower profile? how about some razor sharp body sculpting? how about a unique dashboard that isnt a hand-me-down from the IS? i am less then disappointed. epic fail.

The only epic fail is your expectation of an overhauled dashboard, changed profile, and changed body sculpting in MID-CYCLE refresh. Those things have NEVER been seen in any mid-cycle refresh of any model from any company. (Okay, maybe some exceptions like the Mazda6 with its revamped interior)

Yes, this refresh is arriving a year later than it should have and we can fault Lexus for their product planning and relatively long model cycles. But to expect things like a changed body stance and profile requires a completely NEW model. Let’s be reasonable here.

To me, this new RC looks so much better than the old one. They cleaned up the lines and made the front, the grille, and the rear much more fit for a mid-range luxury coupe. The interior is still mediocre compared to its competitors, but I realize that’s not going to change much in a refresh.

I am really eager to see how they change the RCF and what improvements they bring. Hope they reveal it with the RC in Paris (probably, will not happen till Detroit Show).

Also, how it compares stylistically to my RCF

looks good always has. i just wanna see a little more of a dramatic change.

Good update though even the head lights some how looks weird for my taste

mordecai

The only epic fail is your expectation of an overhauled dashboard, changed profile, and changed body sculpting in MID-CYCLE refresh. Those things have NEVER been seen in any mid-cycle refresh of any model from any company. (Okay, maybe some exceptions like the Mazda6 with its revamped interior)

Yes, this refresh is arriving a year later than it should have and we can fault Lexus for their product planning and relatively long model cycles. But to expect things like a changed body stance and profile requires a completely NEW model. Let’s be reasonable here.

To me, this new RC looks so much better than the old one. They cleaned up the lines and made the front, the grille, and the rear much more fit for a mid-range luxury coupe. The interior is still mediocre compared to its competitors, but I realize that’s not going to change much in a refresh.

Infiniti added 3 engines to its Q50/60 refresh. The RC really lags with nothing to compete with their 400hp version. Lexus has got to step it up with powertrains they are seriously lagging here.