Lexus IS 350 vs. Lexus RC 350
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus IS 350 and Lexus RC 350 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 350.
In comparing the Lexus IS 350's and the Lexus RC 350's specifications and ratings, the Lexus IS 350 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, interior volume and overall quality score. The Lexus RC 350 has the advantage in the area of resale value. The Lexus IS 350 and Lexus RC 350 have the same fuel efficiency base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Lexus IS 350's and the Lexus RC 350's specifications and ratings, the Lexus IS 350 is a better car than the Lexus RC 350.
Pricing: For a new model, the Lexus IS 350's price is between $45,913 and $58,327, with the Lexus RC 350 priced between $56,953 and $62,588.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus IS 350 loses 37.3 percent of its value and the Lexus RC 350 loses 32.2 percent of its value. This means the Lexus RC 350 retains 5.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Lexus IS 350.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Lexus IS 350 is 9.1 out of 10 while the Lexus RC 350's quality rating is 7.3 out of 10. This results in the Lexus IS 350 being ranked 1 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Lexus RC 350 being ranked 19 out of 36.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Lexus IS 350 is 9.0 out of 10. For the Lexus RC 350 the reliability rating is 6.0 out of 10. This gives the Lexus IS 350 a substantial advantage in reliability compared to the Lexus RC 350.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the Lexus IS 350 and the Lexus RC 350 makes 311 horsepower. Both the IS 350 and the RC 350 are rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 487 and 490 miles respectively. 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 350 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.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$45,913 - $58,327
Starting MSRP:
$43,260
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$56,953 - $62,588
Starting MSRP:
$47,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,863
Price Range:
$41,646 - $54,683
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
645
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
421
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
126
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
79
# Good or Great Deals:
0
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$16,492
Depreciation %:
38.1%
Resale Value $:
$26,768
Residual Value %:
61.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$16,000
Depreciation %:
33.5%
Resale Value $:
$31,700
Residual Value %:
66.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
Lexus IS 350 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.1 / 10
Reliability:
9.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Lexus RC 350 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
6.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 350
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
14.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
60.2%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus RC 350
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
13
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.7%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Lexus IS 350 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 36Ranking
1 out of / 36Ranking
1 out of / 36Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Ranking
27 out of / 36Lexus RC 350 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
19 out of / 31Ranking
21 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 36Ranking
33 out of / 36Available 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 350 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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 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:
311 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.083 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:
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):
350 / 490 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
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
Heated Steering Wheel:
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
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
Heated Steering Wheel:
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:
3748 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:
235/35R19
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
