Compare the2024 Lexus RCVS 2024 Jaguar F-Type

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

The Lexus RC has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The F-Type doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the RC and the F-Type 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and 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 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 206 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The F-Type has not been tested, yet.

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

There are over 27 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Jaguar dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RC’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RC’s reliability 20 points higher than the F-Type.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Jaguar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jaguar is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Jaguar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jaguar is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the RC gets better mileage than the F-Type:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus RC higher (5 out of 10) than the Jaguar F-Type (3). This means the RC produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the F-Type every 15,000 miles.

The RC 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 F-Type; 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’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the F-Type (107.5 inches vs. 103.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the RC’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the F-Type’s (34.2 feet vs. 34.9 feet). The RC AWD’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the F-Type AWD’s (34.8 feet vs. 37 feet).

The design of the Lexus RC amounts to more than styling. The RC offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .3 to .31 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is significantly lower than the F-Type (.35 to .36). A more efficient exterior helps the RC go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the RC get better fuel mileage.

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

The RC has 2.2 inches more front headroom and 2.6 inches more front legroom than the F-Type Coupe.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the RC easier. The RC’s trunk lift-over height is 27.6 inches, while the F-Type’s liftover is 33.3 inches.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Jaguar. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 39% lower rating, Jaguar is ranked 10th.

The RC’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 F-Type does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RC’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. Jaguar does not offer a locking feature on the F-Type’s standard power windows.

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

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

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the RC has a standard Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The F-Type doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

With standard voice command, the RC offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The F-Type doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Lexus RC outsold the Jaguar F-Type by over two to one during 2022.