If you’re looking for a sports car that’s fun to drive, but won’t punish you for doing so, then the 2021 Lexus RC 350 F Sport is a great choice. There are a few other options on the market, like the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series, but neither of them has the same softness and comfort that the Lexus has. I found this out after spending a week driving the RC 350 F Sport, which proved to be relaxing and thrilling for every commute.

The Lexus RC 350 is snug but comfortable

When you’re standing next to a Lexus RX 350 F Sport, it’s hard not to judge a book by its cover. I say that because the car’s two-door silhouette and low-slung stance make it look like a more serious race car. However, that’s not really the case.

Slide into the driver’s seat and you’ll be greeted by supple leather that’s fortified by bolstering on your kidneys and thighs. Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you’ll be coddled by the race-like seats and sigh in relief as they hold you with some grip. Even the three-spoke steering wheel is comfortable to hold and it’s even heated for those cold winter nights.

It’s also easy to think that driving the RC 350 could be a chore since its coupe body style lends itself to poor visibility. But that’s not the case as the visibility out the front, rear, and side windows are good, but there is a blind spot in the smaller rear-quarter windows. That’s no issue, though, as the car does have blind spot indicators.

I took a two-hour commute in the Lexus RC 350 and ended the trip feeling just how I started it: fresh and relaxed. Fortunately, I didn’t have any rear-seat passengers as that space is really only reserved for small children or adults without legs. If there were anyone back there, then I’m sure my trip would have ended with complaints.

Power is plentiful and loud

Although the 2021 RC 350 is very comfortable to drive, it’s still pretty sporty as well. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that pushes out 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. That’s a lot of power, but it is lugging around nearly 4,000 pounds of sheet metal and plastic, so the car does feel heavy upon acceleration and through the corners.

I was able to drive spiritedly through some canyon roads and it held the lane just fine and provided a good amount of thrills. However, some of those thrills were attributed to the sporty engine sounds being piped in through the Mark Levinson premium sound system.

The RC 350 is still a quick car, nonetheless. But it’s less of a race car and more of a sports coupe combined with a luxury cruiser.

There are different drive modes as well

In addition to a comfortable ride and a potent engine, the Lexus RC 350 F Sport also has a few different drive modes to select from. There’s an “Eco” mode for when you want to save fuel, a “Sport” and “Sport +” mode for when you’re feeling edgy, and a “normal” mode for when you’re feeling more normal.

I didn’t notice a massive difference between any of the modes, but there’s definitely an auditory difference when you twist the dial to “Sport +.” The throttle also becomes more responsive, the steering a little tighter, and the exhaust has more grunt. But even then, that mode only added a little more to the sporty driving experience. So it’s safe to say, that if you want a comfortable cruiser with a little more “oomph,” then the Lexus RC 350 could work for you.