Lexus IS 350 vs. Lexus RC 300

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus IS 350 and Lexus RC 300 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Lexus IS 350 and the Lexus RC 300.

When comparing the Lexus IS 350's and the Lexus RC 300's specifications and ratings, the Lexus IS 350 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, interior volume and base engine power. The Lexus RC 300 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Lexus IS 350's and the Lexus RC 300's specifications and ratings, the Lexus IS 350 is a better car than the Lexus RC 300.

Pricing: For a new model, the Lexus IS 350's price is between $46,323 and $56,587, with the Lexus RC 300 priced between $49,795 and $60,235.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus IS 350 loses 39.2 percent of its value and the Lexus RC 300 loses 34.5 percent of its value. This means the Lexus RC 300 retains 4.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Lexus IS 350.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus IS 350’s base engine makes 311 horsepower, and the Lexus RC 300 base engine makes 241 horsepower. The IS 350 is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 487 miles. The RC 300 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 543 miles. This gives the Lexus RC 300 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Lexus IS 350. Both models use premium unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Lexus IS 350 has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Lexus RC 300 has the advantage in the areas of front head room and front leg room.

Safety Ratings: The Lexus IS 350 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.

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Model & Pricing
Lexus IS 350
Lexus RC 300

2025 Lexus IS 350
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Lexus IS 350 for Sale

2025 Lexus RC 300
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Lexus RC 300 for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

46323 - 56587

Starting MSRP:

43860

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

49451

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

33000 - 79900

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

49795 - 60235

Starting MSRP:

45620

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

49451

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

33000 - 79900

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

48858

Price Range:

42935 - 56980

Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

51959

Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

34107 - 95081

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

Price Range:

-

Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

51959

Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

34107 - 95081

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

17273

Depreciation %:

0.3938158

Resale Value $:

26587

Residual Value %:

0.6061842

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

0.51356376

Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

0.34749831 - 0.55942423

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

15853

Depreciation %:

0.34749831

Resale Value $:

29767

Residual Value %:

0.65250169

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

0.51356376

Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

0.34749831 - 0.55942423

Lexus IS 350 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.3 / 10

Reliability:

8.5 / 10

Retained Value:

8.5 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10

Lexus RC 300 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

8.8 / 10

Safety:

Not available



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 350

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

20.1

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

11.0

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

9.5 - 20.1

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.517

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus RC 300

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

11.0

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

9.5 - 20.1

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

1.4871081513187803

Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

2.2

Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

1.5 - 10.4

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

1.565554065887023

Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

2.2

Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

1.5 - 10.4

Lexus IS 350 Rankings

Best Family Luxury Small Cars

1 / 35

Best Luxury Small Cars

2 / 35

Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars

2 / 35

Safest Luxury Small Cars

2 / 35

Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value

3 / 35

Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money

3 / 30

Most Comfortable Luxury Small Cars

5 / 35

Most Affordable Luxury Small Cars

11 / 30

Best Luxury Small Cars for Tall People

21 / 35

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

22 / 35

Best Gas Mileage Luxury Small Cars

26 / 35

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Legroom

28 / 35

Lexus RC 300 Rankings

Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value

1 / 35

Most Comfortable Luxury Small Cars

2 / 35

Best Luxury Small Cars for Tall People

12 / 35

Most Affordable Luxury Small Cars

12 / 30

Best Gas Mileage Luxury Small Cars

18 / 35

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

30 / 35

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Legroom

34 / 35

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Coupe

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Lexus IS 350 Trim Levels

F SPORT, F SPORT Design

Lexus RC 300 Trim Levels

Base, F SPORT

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

6 years / 70000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

4 years

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

6 years / 70000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

4 years

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

Not yet available

2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

Not yet available

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

311 hp @ 6600 rpm

Torque:

280 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.083 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

241 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque:

258 foot-lbs @ 1650 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.064 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

3.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

V

Number of Cylinders:

6

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

RWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


20 / 28 / 23

Range (city/hwy):

348 / 487 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

RWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


21 / 31 / 25

Range (city/hwy):

368 / 543 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

Standard

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Paddle Shifters:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Paddle Shifters:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.2 inches

Front Leg Room:

44.8 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

36.9 inches

Rear Leg Room:

32.2 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

53.4 inches

Cargo Space:

10.8 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

90.2 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39 inches

Front Leg Room:

45.4 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

54.7 inches

Rear Head Room:

34.8 inches

Rear Leg Room:

27.3 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

50.8 inches

Cargo Space:

10.4 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

83.8 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3748 lbs

Width:

72.4 inches

Height:

56.5 inches

Length:

185.4 inches

Wheelbase:

110.2 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.5 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3737 lbs

Width:

80.6 inches

Height:

54.9 inches

Length:

185 inches

Wheelbase:

107.5 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

19.0 x 8.5 inches

Wheel Type:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

235/40R19

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 8.0 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

235/45R18

Exterior Colors

Black

Caviar

Blue

Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0

Gray

Cloudburst Gray / Incognito

Red

Infrared

Silver

Iridium

White

Ultra White

Exterior Colors

Black

Caviar / Obsidian

Blue

Not available

Gray

Cloudburst Gray

Red

Infrared

Silver

Atomic Silver

White

Eminent White Pearl

Interior Colors

Black

Black w/ Black Metallic Trim

Brown

Glazed Caramel w/ Black Metallic Trim

Red

Rioja Red w/ Black Metallic Trim

Interior Colors

Black

Black w/ Linear Espresso Wood Trim

Brown

Glazed Caramel w/ Linear Dark Mocha Wood Trim

Red

Rioja Red w/ Linear Dark Mocha Wood Trim

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