Lexus RC 300 vs. Lexus IS 300

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus RC 300 and Lexus IS 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 RC 300 and the Lexus IS 300.

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

Pricing: For a new model, the Lexus RC 300's price is between $49,795 and $60,235, with the Lexus IS 300 priced between $43,723 and $60,434.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus RC 300 loses 34.5 percent of its value and the Lexus IS 300 loses 41.3 percent of its value. This means the Lexus RC 300 retains 6.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Lexus IS 300.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the Lexus RC 300 and the Lexus IS 300 makes 241 horsepower. Both the RC 300 and the IS 300 are rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 543 and 539 miles respectively. Both models use premium unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Lexus IS 300 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 300 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 RC 300
Lexus IS 300

2025 Lexus RC 300
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Lexus RC 300 for Sale

2025 Lexus IS 300
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Lexus IS 300 for Sale

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

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

43723 - 60434

Starting MSRP:

40535

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

49451

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

33000 - 79900

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:

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

43054

Price Range:

37646 - 47521

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 $:

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

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

16755

Depreciation %:

0.41335441

Resale Value $:

23780

Residual Value %:

0.58664559

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

0.51356376

Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

0.34749831 - 0.55942423

Lexus RC 300 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

8.8 / 10

Safety:

Not available

Lexus IS 300 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.0 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.4 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10



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:

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus IS 300

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



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

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

1.6454014867819462

Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

2.2

Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)

1.5 - 10.4

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

Lexus IS 300 Rankings

Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money

1 / 30

Best Family Luxury Small Cars

2 / 35

Best Luxury Small Cars

3 / 35

Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars

3 / 35

Safest Luxury Small Cars

3 / 35

Most Comfortable Luxury Small Cars

4 / 35

Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value

5 / 35

Most Affordable Luxury Small Cars

5 / 30

Best Gas Mileage Luxury Small Cars

17 / 35

Best Luxury Small Cars for Tall People

22 / 35

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

29 / 35

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Legroom

29 / 35

Available Body Styles

Coupe

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Lexus RC 300 Trim Levels

Base, F SPORT

Lexus IS 300 Trim Levels

Base, F SPORT, F SPORT Design

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):

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

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

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

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

241 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque:

258 foot-lbs @ 1650 rpm

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

0.065 hp per pound

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

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):

365 / 539 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

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 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

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 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:

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

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

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

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3715 lbs

Width:

72.4 inches

Height:

56.5 inches

Length:

185.4 inches

Wheelbase:

110.2 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.5 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 8.0 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

235/45R18

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 8.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

235/45R18

Exterior Colors

Black

Caviar / Obsidian

Gray

Cloudburst Gray

Red

Infrared

Silver

Atomic Silver

White

Eminent White Pearl

Exterior Colors

Black

Caviar

Gray

Cloudburst Gray

Red

Matador Red Mica

Silver

Iridium

White

Eminent White Pearl

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

Interior Colors

Black

Black w/ Black Metallic Trim / Black w/ Black Open-Pore Wood Trim

Brown

Glazed Caramel w/ Black Metallic Trim / Glazed Carmel w/ Black Open-Pore Wood Trim

Red

Rioja Red w/ Black Metallic Trim / Rioja Red w/ Black Open-Pore Wood Trim

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