Compare the2024 Lexus RCVS 2023 Subaru BRZ

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission and Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RC have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Subaru BRZ doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 BRZ 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 BRZ doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RC offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The BRZ doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The RC offers optional Intuitive Park Assist to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The BRZ doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The RC has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the BRZ Limited offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RC has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the BRZ Limited offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Both the RC and the BRZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Lexus RC weighs 856 to 1076 pounds more than the Subaru BRZ. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

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

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

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

Reliability

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru 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 Subaru 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, Subaru is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 7th.

Engine

The RC 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (241 vs. 228) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The RC 300 AWD’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 32 more horsepower (260 vs. 228) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The RC 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 83 more horsepower (311 vs. 228) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
RC
RWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/31 hwy
BRZ
RWD	Manual	2.4 DOHC flat-4	20 city/27 hwy
	Auto	2.4 DOHC flat-4	21 city/30 hwy

The RC has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the BRZ (17.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Transmission and Drivetrain

The Lexus RC comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the BRZ.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus RC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the BRZ.

All wheel drive, available in the RC, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Subaru BRZ is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	RC	RC 350 F Sport	BRZ
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	14 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.7 inches	12.7 inches	11.4 inches

The RC stops shorter than the BRZ:

	RC	BRZ
70 to 0 MPH	162 feet	163 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RC has larger standard tires than the BRZ (235/40R19 vs. 215/45R17). The RC F Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the BRZ (F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 215/45R17).

The RC F Sport’s 265/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the BRZ Limited’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RC has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the BRZ Premium. The RC F Sport’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the BRZ Limited.

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 BRZ; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The RC has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The RC offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The RC has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The BRZ doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RC’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the BRZ (107.5 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the RC is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the BRZ.

For better maneuverability, the RC’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the BRZ’s (34.2 feet vs. 35.4 feet). The RC AWD’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the BRZ’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the RC a Subcompact car, while the BRZ is rated a Minicompact.

The RC has 6.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the BRZ (83.8 vs. 77.2).

The RC has 2 inches more front headroom, 3.9 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and 1.3 inches more rear headroom than the BRZ.

Cargo Capacity

The RC has a much larger trunk than the BRZ (10.4 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

The RC’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The BRZ’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the RC offers cargo security. The BRZ’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the RC. The BRZ doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The RC uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The BRZ uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Subaru. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 45% lower rating, Subaru is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the RC, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The BRZ doesn’t offer a memory system.

The RC’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 BRZ doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 BRZ does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RC’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The BRZ has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the RC and the BRZ have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the RC is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The BRZ prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the front windows are left open on the RC the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the BRZ can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RC’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The BRZ’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The BRZ 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 has standard extendable sun visors. The BRZ doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The RC’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the BRZ Limited.

When the RC with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The BRZ’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RC’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The BRZ offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the RC keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The BRZ doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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

The RC’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The BRZ’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

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