Compare the2023 Lexus RC FVS 2023 Toyota Supra

To maximize occupant safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RC F have pretensioners to eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Toyota Supra doesn’t offer pretensioners.

The RC F’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Supra doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The RC F has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Supra’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RC F has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Supra.

Both the RC F and the Supra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RC F the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 230 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Supra has not been tested, yet.

The RC F comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Supra’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RC F 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Supra. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Supra ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RC F’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Supra’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 217 more horsepower (472 vs. 255) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 295) than the Supra’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 90 more horsepower (472 vs. 382) and 27 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 368) than the Supra’s optional 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus RC F is faster than the Toyota Supra turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

The RC F has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Supra (17.4 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The RC F Track Edition has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Supra doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The RC F’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Supra 2.0’s standard 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RC F has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Supra 2.0.

The RC F has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Supra; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RC F’s wheelbase is 10.3 inches longer than on the Supra (107.5 inches vs. 97.2 inches).

The RC F uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Supra doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the RC F is quieter than the Supra 2.0 (43 vs. 46 dB).

The RC F has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Supra can only carry 2.

The RC F has 28.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Supra (79.4 vs. 50.9).

With its coupe body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the RC F offers cargo security. The Supra’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 49% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Supra 3.0, the RC F (except Track Edition) offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The RC F (except Track Edition)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Supra doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RC F’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower both of them with the lock engaged. Toyota does not offer a locking feature on the Supra’s standard power windows.

Smart Access standard on the RC F allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Toyota Supra’s Smart Key System doesn’t unlock the trunk.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RC F offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Supra doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RC F has standard extendable sun visors. The Supra doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The RC F’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The Supra’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the RC F (except Track Edition) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Supra doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the RC F’s optional (except Track Edition) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Supra doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Road and Track performed a comparison test in its December 2019 issue and they ranked the Lexus RC F Track Edition three places higher than the Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium.