The RC faces a tough competitive set, but it's far more capable of meeting the challenge than previous efforts from Lexus.
Unless you've been paying close attention, you may not know the benchmark-setting BMW 3-Series coupe is now called the 4-Series; it's a fantastic track machine in M4 guise, though it gets fiddly and digital at low speeds in tight turns.
The aging Audi A5 is now the old one in the bunch—although its interior still sets interior standards in this group.
The Cadillac ATS has an even edgier personality in base variants, and is a serious rival to the RC.
Finally the Mercedes C-Class Coupe is a good alternative to base RC models, but can get pricier; it's due to be replaced by a new-generation coupe in the 2017 model year.
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 2016 Lexus RCBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Audi A5Browse Used Listings |  2016 BMW 4-SeriesBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Cadillac ATSBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Mercedes-Benz C ClassBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2016 Lexus RC adds more low-end models, but it's still the racy RC F that comes closes to the Teutonic performance titans. |
The 2016 Audi S5 Coupe and S5 Cabriolet are among the best-looking (and best-performing) luxury coupes on the market. |
The 2016 BMW 4-Series Coupe and Convertible break away from the 3-Series sedans with a little more flamboyance. |
The 2016 Cadillac ATS meets all the benchmarks for performance, features, and driving dynamics, and it somehow emerges to market with a little more soul than most of its key rivals. |
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one very charming luxury car; in AMG trim, it's risen above and beyond Bavarian levels of handling. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $39,995 | $40,500 | $41,650 | $33,215 | $38,950 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 16 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Gas I4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Subcompact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | ||||
| 2-Door Coupe | 2-Door Coupe Manual Premium | 4-Door Sedan 428i RWD Gran Coupe SULEV | 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Standard RWD | 4-Door Sedan C 300 Luxury RWD |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| Coupe | quattro Coupe | Hatchback | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2016 Lexus RC vs. 2016 Audi A5 | 2016 Lexus RC vs. 2016 BMW 4-Series | 2016 Lexus RC vs. 2016 Cadillac ATS | 2016 Lexus RC vs. 2016 Mercedes-Benz C Class | |
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