Both the Camaro and the RC F have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.
Compare the2019 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2018 Lexus RC F


Safety
Warranty
There are almost 13 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Camaro’s warranty.
Reliability
The battery on the Camaro is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Camaro’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The RC F’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 8th.
Engine
The Camaro SS’ standard 6.2 V8 produces 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (455 vs. 389) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8. The Camaro ZL1’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 183 more horsepower (650 vs. 467) and 261 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 389) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8.
As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro SS 6.2 V8 is faster than the Lexus RC F (automatics tested):
|
|
Camaro |
RC F |
| Zero to 30 MPH |
1.6 sec |
1.8 sec |
| Zero to 60 MPH |
3.9 sec |
4.3 sec |
| Zero to 100 MPH |
8.9 sec |
9.9 sec |
| 5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start |
4 sec |
4.7 sec |
| Passing 30 to 50 MPH |
2.3 sec |
3.5 sec |
| Passing 50 to 70 MPH |
2.7 sec |
3.2 sec |
| Quarter Mile |
12.3 sec |
12.8 sec |
| Speed in 1/4 Mile |
116 MPH |
114 MPH |
As tested in Motor Trend the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Lexus RC F 5.0 (automatics tested):
|
|
Camaro |
RC F |
| Zero to 60 MPH |
3.5 sec |
4.5 sec |
| Quarter Mile |
11.5 sec |
12.9 sec |
| Speed in 1/4 Mile |
125 MPH |
110.3 MPH |
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the Camaro SS Auto V8 gets better fuel mileage than the RC F (17 city/27 hwy vs. 16 city/25 hwy).
An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The RC F doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.
To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Camaro uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. engine for maximum performance). The RC F requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.
The Camaro has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the RC F (19 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.
The Camaro has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RC F doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.
Transmission
The Camaro offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The RC F doesn’t offer a manual transmission.
A 10-speed automatic is available on the Chevrolet Camaro, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RC F.
The Camaro’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RC F doesn’t offer launch control.
Brakes and Stopping
For better stopping power the Camaro ZL1’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RC F:
|
|
Camaro ZL1 |
RC F |
| Front Rotors |
15.35 inches |
15 inches |
| Rear Rotors |
14.4 inches |
13.6 inches |
The Camaro stops much shorter than the RC F:
|
|
Camaro |
RC F |
|
| 70 to 0 MPH |
141 feet |
154 feet |
Car and Driver |
| 60 to 0 MPH |
91 feet |
108 feet |
Motor Trend |
Tires and Wheels
For better traction, the Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RC F (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).
The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RC F’s optional 35 series tires.
For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro offers optional 20-inch wheels. The RC F’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.
Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Camaro can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RC F doesn’t offer run-flat tires.
Suspension and Handling
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the RC F (110.7 inches vs. 107.5 inches).
For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camaro is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RC F.
The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe handles at 1.18 G’s, while the RC F pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.
The Camaro SS Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the RC F (22.9 seconds @ .91 average G’s vs. 24.9 seconds @ .8 average G’s).
Chassis
The Chevrolet Camaro may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 600 pounds less than the Lexus RC F.
Passenger Space
Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Camaro Coupe a Compact car, while the RC F is rated a Subcompact.
The Camaro Coupe has 13.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RC F (93 vs. 79.4).
The Camaro Coupe has .7 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front hip room, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear legroom and 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the RC F.
Cargo Capacity
The Camaro Coupe’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The RC F doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.
Servicing Ease
The Camaro has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The RC F doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.
Ergonomics
The Camaro’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The RC F does not have an oil pressure gauge.
The Camaro offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The RC F doesn’t offer a heads-up display.
Model Availability
The Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lexus RC F isn’t available as a convertible.
Economic Advantages
Insurance will cost less for the Camaro owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Camaro will cost $135 to $7885 less than the RC F over a five-year period.
Recommendations
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Camaro second among midsize sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The RC F isn’t in the top three.
The Camaro was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 3 years. The RC F has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.
Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The RC F has never been chosen.
The Camaro was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2013. The RC F has never been an “All Star.”
The Camaro was selected by Automobile Magazine as their 2010 Car of the Year. The RC F has never been chosen.
The Chevrolet Camaro outsold the Lexus RC by over 9 to one during 2017.
