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2016 Lexus RC 350 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Why Buy a 2016 Lexus RC 350?

Should You Buy a 2016 Lexus RC 350? Here are the Pros and Cons

Sleek, bold, and fast. Those are just a few of the terms one could use to describe the 2016 Lexus RC 350. This small coupe is designed to offer a combination of sporty styles and luxury details that allow a driver to ride in comfort while enjoying speed, power and performance.

Anyone who is interested in purchasing a Lexus RC 350 will want to know all of the features they will get to enjoy. At the same time, though, it is important for a buyer to know things they may not like so much. By weighing the positives and then the possible negatives, it's easier to make an informed decision as to whether the 2016 Lexus RC 350 is right for each driver.

What's New for 2016

2015 was the first year for the Lexus RC coupes, so it should come as no surprise that the new 2016 model has a variety of features not seen last year. In addition to the standard 350 style, there is now available a Lexus RC 350 F SPORT model that offers more power for an even sleeker ride.

Other new features available in 2016 include:

- New exterior paint colors.
- The Lexus Enform Service Connection System.
- Now a 306 horsepower V6 engine is standard in even the base model.
- A rear wheel drive and all-weather drive model is available.
- All models come standard with adaptive variable suspension.

With a car that's only been on the road for one year model, Lexus has worked hard to add new features to enhance power, performance, and comfort.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2016 Lexus RC 350 – The Pros

There are plenty of good reasons to choose a 2016 Lexus RC 350. After all, this whole family of vehicles is known for exceptional handling and quality luxury cars that rarely let drivers down. But, to help potential buyers make their decision, here are 10 reasons to purchase a 2016 Lexus RC 350.

1. Crash Test Ratings

Safety is always important, and a buyer would expect even more out of luxury vehicles since these cars come with higher price tags. This is an area where the sporty Lexus coupe certainly doesn't let anyone down. The crash test ratings are very high on this car.

In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2016 Lexus RC 350 the highest ratings in all areas, including side, rear, front, and roof strength.

2. Safety

The safety features are prevalent throughout this car too. In addition to airbags (which anyone would expect on a new vehicle of any type), the coupe includes brake assistance and traction control. Both of these features can be helpful in hazardous road conditions.

Auto-leveling headlights ensure a good view on the darkest roads. Blind spot monitors and lane departure warnings are extremely helpful when driving on the highway.

3. Handling

One of the things that the Lexus 300 line of cars is best known for would be handling, and the new RC 350 doesn't disappoint. It features a wider stance and a lower construction. This along with stiffer tuning and shocks systems means the car handles well on any type of road.

4. Comfort

Obviously, despite the super sporty look and turbo charged engine, this is still a luxury car, and the interior is designed for just that. Driver reviews indicate time and again that the cabin is quiet, the seats are comfortable, and the conveniences simply make this the luxury ride it should be.

5. Rear Wheel Dynamics

Since his is a sporty vehicle and it does offer power and speed, the rear wheel dynamics, which have been tuned especially for the coupe, provide stability and control to the driver.

6. Luxury Details

The details can make all the difference in a car, and the 2016 Lexus RC 350 has plenty to offer, like:

- Bolstered sport style seats
- Leather trimmed interiors
- Leather-trimmed shift knob
- Heated and ventilated seats
- Heated steering wheel

These types of features turn just an average car into a luxury vehicle.

7. Response

Driver reviews indicate time and again that the 2016 Lexus RC 350 offers excellent response time, and that's an important feature on a sporty turbo charged car.

8. Sporty Details

The exterior is the picture of sleek, sporty style with aerodynamic lines and clean details. If a buyer upgrades to the F SPORT model, the details become even more prominent, including bolstered bucket seats and a specialty gear shift.

9. High-End Interior

Even the base model of this coupe offers a high-end interior, featuring either NuLuxe or leather trim. Even the smallest details like the shift knob have a high-end feel that one would expect from a luxury model car.

10. Extra Upgrades

Those who want nothing but top of the line options will enjoy all of the upgrades available for the 2016 Lexus 350 RC. These include:

- The F SPORT package
- A navigation package
- A Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package
- The Premium Package
- The Luxury Package
- The All Weather Package

There are also numerous individual upgrades to pick from as well.  

Reasons Not to Buy a 2016 Lexus RC 350 – The Cons

No matter how many positive features there may be on a vehicle, it is always important for a buyer to consider things they may not like too. That way, they will know exactly what they are getting before they buy a car. There are a few potentially negative things on the 2016 Lexus 350 RC.

1. Small Trunk and Cargo Space

Of course, this is a luxury sports car, and that means cargo space is sacrificed. However, when compared to other vehicles of similar type, this car has an extremely small trunk. This may deter some buyers.

2. Small Back Seat

As with the cargo space, the back seats feel somewhat small and cramped. Then again, this is to be expected in a sporty vehicle.

3. Upgrades Are Needed

The base model of the 2016 Lexus RC 350 is nice, but the car doesn't get the true luxury feel most drivers want without upgrades, and that means a higher price tag.

How It Stacks up to the Competition

The Lexus RC 350 stands up well to the competition. For example, it has a much bigger engine than the Volvo S60. The former offers a 3.5 Liter V6 while the latter only offers a 2.5-liter engine.

When compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLK, the Lexus offers better features. The 2016 Lexus RC 350 includes lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring and all-weather packages. The Mercedes-Benz has none of these available even as options.

As one can see, there are plenty of reasons to choose the 2016 Lexus RC 350 and a few that may make some buyers think twice. By weighing these positives and possible negatives, it's possible to determine if this is the right car for anyone thinking about buying,