Compare the2023 Subaru BRZVS 2023 Lexus RC

The BRZ has standard Whiplash Protection Seats, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Protection Seats system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The RC doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The BRZ Auto has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the BRZ and the RC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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 crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the BRZ its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RC has not been fully tested, yet.

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the BRZ’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the BRZ’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the RC’s camshafts. If the RC’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the BRZ lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The RC doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the BRZ gets better mileage than the RC:

The BRZ offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The RC doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The BRZ stops much shorter than the RC:

The Subaru BRZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1000 pounds less than the Lexus RC.

The BRZ is 1 foot, 5.1 inches shorter than the RC, making the BRZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The BRZ has 2.6 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the RC.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the BRZ’s exterior PIN entry system. The RC doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Safety Connect® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The BRZ’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The RC’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the BRZ Limited has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The RC doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The BRZ has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The RC doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru BRZ will be $7588 to $12537 less than for the Lexus RC.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru BRZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BRZ was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 2 more times in the last 11 years. The RC has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Subaru BRZ outsold the Lexus RC by 26% during 2022.