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 the2022 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2021 Lexus RC F
Safety
Warranty
There are over 12 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’ 2020 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 third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 12th.
Engine
The Camaro LT1/SS’ standard 6.2 V8 produces 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (455 vs. 395) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8. The Camaro ZL1’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 178 more horsepower (650 vs. 472) and 255 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 395) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8.
As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro LT1/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 gets better mileage than the RC F:
|
|
|
MPG |
Camaro |
|||
|
Manual |
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. |
19 city/29 hwy |
|
|
3.6 DOHC V6 |
16 city/26 hwy |
|
Auto |
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. |
22 city/30 hwy |
|
|
3.6 DOHC V6 |
18 city/29 hwy |
|
|
6.2 OHV V8 |
16 city/26 hwy |
RC F |
|||
|
|
5.0 V8 |
16 city/24 hwy |
An engine control system that can shut down some 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-cylinder 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 sportiness. 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.
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 Fuji Speedway Edition |
RC F |
Front Rotors |
15.35 inches |
14.9 inches |
15 inches |
Rear Rotors |
14.4 inches |
14.9 inches |
13.6 inches |
The Camaro stops much shorter than the RC F:
|
Camaro |
RC F |
|
70 to 0 MPH |
137 feet |
163 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 35 series tires.
For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro SS has standard 20-inch wheels. The RC F’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.
The Camaro has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The RC F doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.
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 450 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 (except LS/LT1) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, turn signal and navigation instruction 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.
The Camaro’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The RC F’s parking brake has to released manually.
The Camaro’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RC F’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.
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 $1140 to $13900 less than the RC F over a five-year period.
IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Camaro will be $19808 to $38654 less than for the Lexus RC F.
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 6 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.”