Both the Corvette and the RC F have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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.
Compare the2023 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2022 Lexus RC F
Safety
Warranty
There are almost 12 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corvette’s warranty.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The RC F isn’t in the top three in its category.
Engine
The Corvette’s standard 6.2 V8 produces 18 more horsepower (490 vs. 472) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 395) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8. The Corvette Z51’s standard 6.2 V8 produces 23 more horsepower (495 vs. 472) and 75 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 395) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8. The Corvette Z06’s standard 5.5 DOHC V8 produces 198 more horsepower (670 vs. 472) and 65 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 395) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8.
As tested in Motor Trend the Corvette Z51 6.2 V8 is faster than the Lexus RC F:
|
Corvette |
RC F |
Zero to 60 MPH |
2.8 sec |
4.5 sec |
Quarter Mile |
11.1 sec |
12.9 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
123.2 MPH |
110.3 MPH |
In a Road and Track race course test, the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe was clocked 4.73 seconds faster than the Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Edition (82.83 sec. vs. 87.56 sec.).
Fuel Economy and Range
An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette’s fuel efficiency (not available on Z06). The RC F doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.
The Corvette has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the RC F (18.5 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.
The Corvette 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 Corvette 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.
Brakes and Stopping
For better stopping power the Corvette Z06 CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RC F:
|
Corvette Z06 CCB |
RC F Fuji Speedway Edition |
RC F |
Front Rotors |
15.7 inches |
14.9 inches |
15 inches |
Rear Rotors |
15.4 inches |
14.9 inches |
13.6 inches |
The Corvette stops much shorter than the RC F:
|
Corvette |
RC F |
|
70 to 0 MPH |
149 feet |
163 feet |
Car and Driver |
60 to 0 MPH |
97 feet |
108 feet |
Motor Trend |
Tires and Wheels
For better traction, the Corvette Z06’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RC F (F:275/30R20 & R:345/25R21 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).
The Corvette’s standard 305/30R20 rear 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. The Corvette Z06’s 275/30R20 front and 345/25R21 rear tires have a lower 30 series front and 25 series rear profile than the RC F’s 35 series tires.
For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corvette has standard 20-inch rear wheels. Only 19-inch wheels are available on the RC F. The Corvette Z06 has standard 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.
The Corvette 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 standard on the Corvette 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 better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Corvette is 4.4 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RC F.
The Corvette Coupe handles at 1.04 G’s, while the RC F pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.
The Corvette Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the RC F (23.3 seconds @ .9 average G’s vs. 24.9 seconds @ .8 average G’s).
Chassis
The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Lexus RC F.
The Corvette is 3.1 inches shorter than the RC F, making the Corvette easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
The Corvette’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The RC F doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.
Passenger Space
The Corvette has .1 inches more front headroom and 3.7 inches more front shoulder room than the RC F.
Cargo Capacity
The Corvette Coupe has a much larger trunk than the RC F (12.6 vs. 10.1 cubic feet).
Servicing Ease
The Corvette has a standard under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The RC F doesn’t offer an under hood light.
Ergonomics
The Corvette’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 Corvette offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, 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 Corvette’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 Corvette’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.
To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Corvette offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The RC F doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.
Model Availability
The Chevrolet Corvette comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lexus RC F isn’t available as a convertible.
Economic Advantages
Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $3890 to $12985 less than the RC F over a five-year period.
Recommendations
Road and Track performed a comparison test in its December 2019 issue and they ranked the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe first. They ranked the Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Edition sixth.
The Corvette was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 18 of the last 25 years. The RC F has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.
A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The RC F has never been chosen.
The Chevrolet Corvette outsold the Lexus RC by almost 9 to one during the 2021 model year.