Compare the2024 Lexus RC FVS 2025 Porsche 911

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RC F have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Porsche 911 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The RC F’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 911 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Lexus RC F 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 911 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The RC F 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the 911’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RC F has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Porsche charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the 911.

Both the RC F and the 911 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RC F 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Porsche covers the 911. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 911 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 23 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RC F’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is ranked 6th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Porsche is ranked 8th.

The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 84 more horsepower (472 vs. 388) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 331) than the 911’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 390) than the 911 S’ standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 331) than the 911 GT3’s standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RC F gets better mileage than the 911 Coupe:

For better stopping power the RC F’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the 911:

The RC F’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 911 Dakar’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

The RC F 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 911; 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 F’s wheelbase is 11 inches longer than on the 911 (107.5 inches vs. 96.5 inches).

The RC F’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the 911’s (39.5% to 60.5%). This gives the RC F more stable handling and braking.

The RC F uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 911 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the RC F is quieter than the 911 GT3:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the RC F a Subcompact car, while the 911 Coupe is rated a Minicompact.

The RC F has 6.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 911 (79.4 vs. 73).

The RC F has 3.2 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear legroom than the 911.

The RC F has a much larger trunk than the 911 Coupe with its rear seat up (9.9 vs. 4.8 cubic feet).

With its coupe body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the RC F offers cargo security. The 911’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Porsche. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 3% lower rating, Porsche is ranked second.

The RC F has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 911 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional in the 911, the RC F (except Track Edition) offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The RC F’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. Porsche does not offer a locking feature on the 911’s standard power windows.

If the front windows are left open on the RC F 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 911 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RC F has standard Smart Access that allows you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. The 911 GT3 doesn’t offer Comfort Access.

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 F offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 911 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 F has standard extendable sun visors. The 911 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the RC F has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 911 doesn’t offer rear vents.

Insurance will cost less for the RC F owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RC F will cost $1490 to $10400 less than the 911 over a five-year period.