Lexus RC300h | Video Review | CarsIreland.ie

Published on 4 September, 2017

The Lexus RC300h: a hybrid wildcard in a luxury coupé market dominated by the Germans

Overview

Overview

The luxury Coupe market is one well and truly dominated by the Germans. Among a formidable list of contenders, you’ve got the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes C Class Coupe. The Lexus RC promises to be different from those Bavarian rivals, in all the right ways.

There's the looks for a start, subjective of course, but there’s no denying the RC is one seriously head-turning machine. With its wonderfully quirky creases and angles that make it look like it’s permanently on the move, it's bound to be a talking point, and that's before you even get to the Hybrid technology that lies beneath...

It’s certainly pretty, but is it practical? Even for a coupe, it’s pretty tight in the back, particularly for headroom. Being a two door, access is also a little awkward, even with the luxury of electrically-folding seats. You will just about squeeze two adults in, just don’t expect them to stay back there for too long.

Bootspace is slightly hampered by the battery pack in the Hybrid model and at 366 litres is quite a bit smaller than its main rivals.

Back in the driver seat is where things start to improve because it is an exceptionally comfortable place to be. The seating position gives you a lovely low-down, cocooned feel and the quality of the materials used is top-notch. It really does feel very good to sit into and touch.

The cabin is slightly let down by the centre console, which feels dated and frankly out of place in a luxury vehicle. The screen is oddly placed, the controls are awkward, and the graphics have quite a way to go when you compare them to the likes of BMWs iDrive and Audis MMI systems.

Nevertheless, it's still kitted out with some pretty impressive stuff – there’s good smartphone integration, Bluetooth audio, a reversing camera and satellite navigation.

Other standard features on the Executive model include 18 inch alloy wheels, a drive selector, and cruise control.

Our test car was the 300h Hybrid model. Powered by the 2.5l petrol engine combined with an electric motor, it claims to offer similar fuel economy to a diesel at just 4.9 l per 100km. Like all Hybrids, this will depend very much on how you drive it, but it will dramatically reduce consumption during stop-start city-driving.
It’s certainly a tempting option at a time like this, where the market is looking for alternatives to diesel once again.
The RC 300h isn’t quite like anything Iike we've ever driven before. There’s a nice bit of power in it (the equivalent of about 220hp), but it is quite heavy so it’s not overly quick with a 0-60 time of 8.6 seconds. When it does get up to speed though it is a really nice cruiser, and that heaviness begins to feel less cumbersome and more reassuring and luxurious. The CVT automatic gearbox makes the whole thing practically effortless and combined with the quiet Hybrid start up makes for a very relaxing experience behind the wheel.

Other retro attributes include an analogue clock and a foot-operated parking brake. There is a danger that its old-school luxury will be lost on some, but there is also a unique charm to its classic approach to certain things. What it lacks in cutting edge technology in the cabin, it makes up for in other areas such as comfort and refinement. Not to mention that Lexus has earned itself one of the best reputations for reliability in the business. An interesting alternative to the German stronghold.

Facts & Figures

Sinead McCann

Sinéad is our resident car tester who has the unenviable (-ok, slightly enviable) task of reviewing all the latest new cars to hit the market. You can follow her on Twitter @smcani and on Instagram @whatshedrives