CNET Reviews the 2019 Lexus RC 350 F SPORT

Posted by Kevin on November 9th, 2018

CNET Roadshow has what may be the first review of the updated 2019 Lexus RC 350 F SPORT:

It’s dawn on Angeles Crest Highway, the new day’s light shining on the seemingly endless ribbons of asphalt that beckon me deeper into the San Gabriel Mountains. These legendary roads make my right foot grow heavier, but as soon as I hit a brisk pace, the Lexus’ suspension says, “Nah, man. We don’t need to go any faster.”

There are two schools of thought among consumers interested in the luxury coupe segment. The hair-on-fire lot will happily fork over huge sums of cash for BMW M4s and Mercedes-AMG C63s — even Lexus’ own RC F. On the other side of campus, you’ve got the folks who are more laid-back when it comes to performance, but still crave two-door panache. The RC 350 is the car for those people.

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Comments
Faisal Sheikh
Looks like despite the updates, it has not made the car sporty (which was the complaint of the original RC350 F sport). However, it looks seriously good. I am surprised how good the updates look and probably prefer some of the updated elements over my RCF's such as the tail light design
Enthusiast88
I didn't feel the F Sport had the sporting chops to match the aggressive style, which is why I ordered mine with the F Sport exhaust and F Sport springs. The exhaust helped, but even the springs feel soft. It doesn't sound like the new bushings and updated adaptive shocks brought the sportiness up much. I will still give it a test drive and see for myself when my dealer gets one.
I wasn't thrilled about the new front end when I first saw the pictures, but CNETs pics and that color really make it look sharp Best pics yet! I still don't care for the new tail lights though, but they do look better in these photographs.
I do feel Lexus missed to opportunity to update the things that really needed updated on/in this car though.
Faisal Sheikh
Agreed. This needed to be a legitimate 335/340 coupe alternative, but Lexus missed the opportunity in the driving dynamics department. Styling update wise, I think they hit it out of the park.

Enthusiast88
I didn't feel the F Sport had the sporting chops to match the aggressive style, which is why I ordered mine with the F Sport exhaust and F Sport springs. The exhaust helped, but even the springs feel soft. It doesn't sound like the new bushings and updated adaptive shocks brought the sportiness up much. I will still give it a test drive and see for myself when my dealer gets one.
I wasn't thrilled about the new front end when I first saw the pictures, but CNETs pics and that color really make it look sharp Best pics yet! I still don't care for the new tail lights though, but they do look better in these photographs.
I do feel Lexus missed to opportunity to update the things that really needed updated on/in this car though.
C
  • C
    CT2IS
  • November 12, 2018
The problems are that 1)it's too heavy, 2) the powertrain is too weak. This includes the transmission which needs serious retuning. and 3) the rear subframe allows for too much movement. The rear control arms needs balljoints to replace the bushings and the subframe needs to be directly mounted to the unibody--or at least make the bushings smaller and harder. I drive my 3IS hard and while overall i'm pleased, i can feel the rear end trying to escape from under the car. Gets squirrley. Blame it on the large soft subframe mounts and RLCA bushings.

C