Compare the2023 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2023 Lexus RC F

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.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The RC F isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

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:

In a Road and Track race course test, the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe was clocked 4.73 seconds faster than the Lexus RC F Track Edition (82.83 sec. vs. 87.56 sec.).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette (except Z06)’s fuel efficiency. 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.

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.

For better stopping power the Corvette Z06 CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RC F:

The Corvette stops much shorter than the RC F:

For better traction, the Corvette has larger standard tires than the RC F (F:245/35R19 & R:305/30R20 vs. F:235/35R19 & R:275/35R19). 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.

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 Z06 Z07 Coupe handles at 1.16 G’s, while the RC F pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corvette Z06 Z07 Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3 seconds quicker than the RC F (21.9 seconds @ .99 average G’s vs. 24.9 seconds @ .8 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 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.

The Corvette has .1 inches more front headroom and 3.7 inches more front shoulder room than the RC F.

The Corvette Coupe has a much larger trunk than the RC F (12.6 vs. 9.9 cubic feet).

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.

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 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.

The Chevrolet Corvette comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lexus RC F isn’t available as a convertible.

Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $7875 to $12475 less than the RC F over a five-year period.

The Corvette will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Corvette will retain 59.95% to 61.21% of its original price after five years, while the RC F only retains 53.66% to 53.85%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Corvette will be $16751 to $30771 less than for the Lexus RC F.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Corvette, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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 Track Edition sixth.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette second among compact premium 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.

Motor Trend selected the Corvette as their 2020 Car of the Year. The RC F has never been chosen.

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 over 13 to one during 2022.