Best Car Reviews - 2020 Lexus RC 350 AWD

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Introduction

The 2020 Lexus RC 350 AWD is a four-seat luxury sport coupe for buyers who value expressive styling, all-weather confidence and Lexus refinement more than outright track performance. Its naturally aspirated V6, standard all-wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission give it a distinctive character in a class increasingly dominated by turbocharged rivals.

Design and Exterior Features

The RC 350 AWD has a low, wide coupe profile, a 107.5-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 185 inches. Its dramatic spindle grille, sharply creased bodywork, LED lighting and pronounced rear haunches make it one of the more visually extroverted luxury coupes of its era. The 2020 model continued the refreshed front and rear styling introduced for 2019, with revised lighting and a cleaner, more modern appearance.

Bold spindle grille and athletic two-door coupe proportions.
Bi-LED headlamps and LED taillamps.
Standard 18-inch alloy wheels, with 19-inch wheel packages available.
Available F SPORT styling with unique bumpers, grille and rear valance.
Available outer-sliding moonroof for a larger opening than a conventional sunroof.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is driver-focused, with a low seating position, substantial center console and materials that generally feel carefully assembled. Front occupants receive supportive power-adjustable seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, but rear legroom is tight, so the RC works best as a two-person grand tourer with occasional rear seating.

10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat.
Dual-zone climate control, push-button start and an analog clock.
Available heated and ventilated front seats and driver memory settings.
F SPORT models add more heavily bolstered front seats, aluminum pedals and sport-focused trim.
10.4 cubic feet of cargo space and 60/40 folding rear seatbacks.

Performance and Handling

The 2020 Lexus RC 350 AWD uses a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 with a combined direct-and-port fuel-injection system. It produces 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, sending power through a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system. Lexus listed a 0–60 mph time of 6.0 seconds for the AWD model. The ride is notably composed for a sport coupe, while the all-wheel-drive system helps traction in wet or wintry conditions. Official EPA estimates are 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined, equal to about 12.4, 9.0 and 11.2 L/100 km respectively.

3.5-liter V6 with 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
Six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
Manufacturer-listed 0–60 mph time of 6.0 seconds.
Comfort-oriented suspension tuning makes it a capable long-distance coupe.
EPA combined fuel consumption of approximately 11.2 L/100 km.

Technology and Connectivity

For 2020, Lexus updated the RC multimedia system and added standard Android Auto alongside Apple CarPlay. A 7-inch display is standard, while navigation and a 10.3-inch display were available through packages. The system offers useful smartphone integration, though the console-mounted touchpad controller can require attention away from the road and feels less intuitive than a touchscreen.

Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Standard 7-inch multimedia display.
Available 10.3-inch display with navigation.
Available Mark Levinson premium surround-sound system.
Available Lexus Enform remote, safety and connected-service features, subject to subscription availability.

Safety Features

The RC 350 AWD includes Lexus Safety System+, a substantial standard driver-assistance package for its model year. Features include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, high-speed dynamic radar cruise control and intelligent high beams. It also includes a backup camera, eight airbags, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available through packages. A model-specific crash-test score should be confirmed by VIN and market before purchase, as no verified rating is stated here.

Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection.
Lane-departure alert with steering assist.
High-speed dynamic radar cruise control and intelligent high beams.
Backup camera, eight airbags and tire-pressure monitoring.
Available blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

Pricing and Variants

The 2020 RC 350 AWD started at $46,390 in the United States before destination charges and options. The RC range included the RC 300 rear-wheel drive, RC 300 AWD, RC 350 rear-wheel drive and RC 350 AWD, with F SPORT packages adding more aggressive styling and chassis-oriented equipment. Against the BMW 4 Series, Audi A5 and Infiniti Q60, the Lexus emphasized standard safety equipment, naturally aspirated V6 smoothness and expected long-term dependability, while competitors often offered quicker turbocharged powertrains or more modern interfaces.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Striking exterior design that still looks distinctive.
Smooth, responsive naturally aspirated V6 engine.
Standard all-wheel drive for year-round usability.
Comfortable, refined ride for a luxury sport coupe.
Strong standard driver-assistance feature set for 2020.

Cons

Fuel economy trails many turbocharged luxury-coupe rivals.
Six-speed automatic has fewer ratios than several competitors.
Rear-seat space is very limited for adults.
Touchpad infotainment controller can be distracting and awkward.
Performance is respectable but not class-leading for the price.

Maintenance and Common Issues

RepairPal-based estimates published for the RC 350 place average annual repair and maintenance costs at about $523, although actual costs vary significantly by mileage, service history, location and tire choice. Complaint volumes for the 2020 model are limited, so these are inspection areas rather than proof of widespread faults: fuel-pump or fuel-delivery concerns; wheel and tire damage or vibration; infotainment display, audio or connectivity glitches; battery-related electrical warnings; and wear of brakes, tires and suspension components on F SPORT or 19-inch-wheel cars. Confirm completed recall work and inspect service records before buying.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.8/10. Design: 9/10. Comfort: 8/10. Performance: 7.5/10. Technology: 7/10. Safety: 8.5/10. The RC 350 AWD earns its score through style, refinement, traction and equipment, while its aging interface, limited rear accommodation and merely competitive acceleration hold it back.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly portrays the RC 350 AWD as a dependable, comfortable and visually special daily-driven coupe. Drivers tend to praise the V6’s smooth power delivery and confidence in poor weather, while criticism usually centers on practicality and older infotainment controls.

Owners often value the Lexus build quality and long-term dependability reputation.
The V6 is frequently appreciated for its linear response and pleasing sound.
All-wheel drive is a meaningful benefit for buyers in snowy or rainy climates.
Front-seat comfort and ride quality receive more praise than rear-seat space.
Many drivers find the touchpad interface less convenient than newer touchscreen systems.

Best Cars in This Category

2020 BMW 440i xDrive Coupe
2020 Audi A5 Coupe quattro
2020 Audi S5 Coupe quattro
2020 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD
2020 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Coupe

Summary

The 2020 Lexus RC 350 AWD is best for a buyer seeking a stylish, well-equipped luxury coupe with a smooth V6, all-weather traction and a comfort-first driving character. It is not the sharpest or most technologically current choice in its segment, but its dramatic design, standard safety equipment and Lexus ownership appeal make it a compelling used luxury-coupe option for drivers who prioritize character and refinement over maximum performance.