As more and more Americans flock to buying SUVs and sedans nowadays, it seems like the two-door coupe segment is waning. It’s not too surprising, considering coupes aren’t as practical. But if you’re in the market for a coupe — specifically a luxury model – is the Lexus RC your only option?

The Lexus RC provides a softer and sensible choice

If you have never driven a Lexus, then we highly suggest it. Every Lexus model in the lineup exudes an inherent softness and undeniable comfort that you can’t really find in German rivals in the segment. The softness works well if you’re looking for the utmost comfort out of your luxury car, however, it doesn’t work that well when it comes to a sporty coupe.

In the case of the 2021 Lexus RC, the softness still remains, but the automaker did its best to inject some athleticism into the car. For example, in our testing, the steering in the RC feels weighted and gives the driver some feedback, but it also feels a little vague. To top things off, the six-speed automatic transmission seems to kick down a gear slower than we would like, especially for a sports coupe.

While this softness might sound like a drawback, it’s not. If you’re looking for a sporty coupe with a huge dash of comfort so that you cruise comfortably around town or on your commute to work, then the Lexus RC could work well for you.

If you need more sportiness, then there are other cars to choose from

While overall comfort is what the 2021 Lexus RC excels at, there are other competitors in the segment that excel in other areas. For instance, Car and Driver suggest the Genesis G70 or the Audi A5 Sportback if you want luxury and performance. But if you would rather feel the road, as well as almost every bump on it, then you can always opt for a BMW 4 Series.

In Car and Driver’s testing, the BMW 4 Series was able to get from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds as compared to the RC 350’s 5.7-second run. Keep in mind that the RC 350 is fitted with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 311 hp, while the BMW has a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that puts out 255 hp. Of course, there’s also the RC 350 F Sport, however, that F Sport package is mainly an aesthetic upgrade.

So if you really want to bring out the big guns, then you’ll have to opt for the Lexus RC F. That model comes with a 472-hp, 5.0-liter V8, but it comes with a hefty $65,000 price tag.

How does the Lexus RC stack up price-wise?

While the Lexus RC beats out the competition when it comes to comfort and trails in performance, it does well when it comes to pricing. A base Lexus RC 300 starts at $42,220, while the RX 350 starts $45,000.

You can also add all-wheel drive for an extra $2,000, which is something that some competitors don’t have. By comparison, the BMW 4 Series starts at around $46,000, while the Audi A5 starts at $42,845. If you really want a bargain, then you can go with the Genesis G70 for around $38,000, but the Lexus offers a touch more opulence with its higher price tag.

Either way, there’s no denying that the Lexus RC can give you the comfort that you’re looking for in a luxury coupe with an added touch of sportiness. But if you need more agility and responsiveness, then its rivals could suit you better.