Compare the2022 Ford Shelby GT500VS 2022 Lexus RC F

Both the Shelby GT500 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 12 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Shelby GT500’s warranty.

The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 288 more horsepower (760 vs. 472) and 230 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 395) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Shelby GT500 is faster than the Lexus RC F:

The Shelby GT500 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.

The Shelby GT500 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The RC F doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Shelby GT500’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RC F:

The Shelby GT500 stops much shorter than the RC F:

For better traction, the Shelby GT500 has larger tires than the RC F (F:305/30R20 & R:315/30R20 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).

The Shelby GT500’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 standard 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Shelby GT500 has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch wheels are available on the RC F.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Shelby GT500 is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RC F.

The Shelby GT500 handles at 1.13 G’s, while the RC F pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Shelby GT500 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the RC F (23.5 seconds @ .89 average G’s vs. 24.9 seconds @ .8 average G’s).

The Shelby GT500 has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RC F (82.8 vs. 79.4).

The Shelby GT500 has 1 inch more front hip room, 5.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 6.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the RC F.

The Shelby GT500 has a much larger trunk than the RC F (13.5 vs. 10.1 cubic feet).

The Shelby GT500’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.

The Shelby GT500’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 Shelby GT500’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The RC F’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Shelby GT500’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.

The Shelby GT500 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Shelby GT500 will retain 63.08% of its original price after five years, while the RC F only retains 54.91% to 56.4%.