Silver Lexus RC F Track Edition during the Geneva International Motor Show

The 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Costs Way Too Much to Perform Like a Chevy Camaro

You'd expect what's basically a Lexus RC F Track Edition to perform up to its price point, but unfortunately, the 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji performs way closer to a vehicle like the Chevy Camaro despite being significantly pricier.

by Savannah Keaton

Published on June 19, 2021 7:01 am

3 min read

The Lexus RC comes with a high price

The Lexus RC F Track Edition | Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji starts at $98,225, and is technically the Track Edition from 2020. If you decide to add in some much sought-after features like LED headlights, parking assist, a Mark Levinson audio system, and illuminated door sills, the price increases to $103,350.

The price quickly adds up thanks to simple features like a carpeted trunk mat that costs an extra $120. That’s a lot, even for a luxury vehicle, and it makes one question how the RC F Fuji compares to other vehicles in the same segment.

The base Porsche 911, which never fails to impress, starts at $100,550. To be fair, Porsche also requires an upgrade for many of its features, but it’s things like sunroofs, cooled driver seats, a heated steering wheel, and a backup camera. These are things that you can live without, but still want, and paying extra doesn’t hurt quotes as much as a carpeted trunk does.

This model doesn’t have the performance metrics to compete

White Lexus RC F Track Edition is on display during the New York International Auto Show

The Lexus RC F Track Edition | Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The Lexus RC F Fuji doesn’t lack in power. It comes equipped with a 472-hp V8 engine that’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Car and Driver was thrilled with the way it drove, and stated, “Its personality translates to aggression tempered with refinement. Pedal it softly around town, and the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 whispers like a luxury car’s engine should. Stand on the throttle, and it’s a lion roaring in your ear.”

The specs are pretty great as well. The RC F Fuji can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. It can hit 100 mph in 9.5 seconds, and 130 in 16.2 seconds.

The interior is quite the dream. It’s filled with red leather seats, a well-placed infotainment screen, and the dash is the perfect combo of reds and blacks that make it really stand out. It can perform well both on and off the track, and the gorgeous interior really brings it all together.

All this sounds great, until you realize that much cheaper vehicles, like the Chevrolet Camaro SS can deliver for the price of $38,695. If you want to push it a little further, the Chevy Camaro can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, reaches 100 mph in 8.8 seconds, and hits 130 mph in 15.4 seconds. The combined EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg combined, 16 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway. The Camaro also comes with an incredibly stylish body and interior.

Given the fact that the Camaro can outperform the RC F Fuji in many areas, it’s hard to justify the $64,655 price difference. For the price of the RC F Fuji, you can almost buy three Chevy Camaro SS models. If you decide to go for the base trim Camaro, you can.

The Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Edition fails to deliver

The 2021 Lexus RC Fuji Speedway Edition has a few points in its favor. It’s named after a famous Japanese Racing Circuit. The exterior body, with the vented hood, the carbon-fiber wing on the rear deck, and it’s flared fenders are all designed to turn heads, and it does it well.

All this isn’t enough to save the RC F Fuji from failing to deliver on its promises, however. Luxury implies more than just good looks. It promises to be superior to lesser brands, and the RC F Fuji Speedway Edition simply doesn’t manage to do that.