Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Lexus RC

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

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 Mustang’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Mustang’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 Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The RC doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the RC:

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Fastback gets better mileage than the RC:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The RC requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang 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 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Mustang offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The RC doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RC.

The Mustang Manual’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RC doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RC:

The Mustang stops much shorter than the RC:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RC (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19).

The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RC’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The RC’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is .2 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the RC.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the RC 350 AWD pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Ford Mustang may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Lexus RC.

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RC doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The Mustang Fastback has 1 inch more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 2.5 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RC.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the RC (13.5 vs. 10.4 cubic feet).

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The RC has no towing capacity.

The Mustang’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’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Mustang’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The RC’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lexus RC isn’t available as a convertible.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mustang is less expensive to operate than the RC because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Mustang than the RC, including $394 less for a water pump, $643 less for a starter, $383 less for fuel injection, $292 less for a fuel pump, $131 less for front struts, $540 less for a timing belt/chain and $249 less for a power steering pump.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2019. The RC has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Lexus RC by almost 18 to one during 2022.