Compare the2025 Lexus RC FVS 2025 Lotus Emira

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 Emira 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 help 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 Emira doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The RC F’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Emira.

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 Emira’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. Lotus charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Emira.

Both the RC F and the Emira 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 and available rear parking sensors.

The Lexus RC F weighs 639 to 717 pounds more than the Lotus Emira. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The RC F comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Emira’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The RC F comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years unlimited miles. Lexus will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Emira.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RC F 3 years and 34000 miles longer than Lotus covers the Emira. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Emira ends after only 3 years or 36,000 miles.

There are over 6 times as many Lexus dealers as there are Lotus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RC F’s warranty.

The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 72 more horsepower (472 vs. 400) and 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 310) than the Emira’s standard 3.5 supercharged V6. The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 72 more horsepower (472 vs. 400) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 354) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The RC F has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Emira (17.4 vs. 13.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

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

	RC F	Emira
Front Rotors	15 inches	14.6 inches

For better traction, the RC F has larger front tires than the Emira (255/35R19 vs. 245/35R20).

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

The RC F has a standard continuously variable suspension system. Using sensors on steering angle, speed and other driver inputs, the shocks soften to improve ride, or stiffen when appropriate to aid handling on tricky roads. The Emira’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The RC F 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 Emira doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

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

The RC F’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the Emira’s (39.8% to 60.2%). 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 Emira doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

	RC F	Emira
At idle	43 dB	51 dB
70 MPH Cruising	72 dB	75 dB

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

The RC F has 30.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Emira (79.4 vs. 49).

The RC F has a much larger trunk than the Emira (10.1 vs. 5.3 cubic feet).

With its coupe body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the RC F offers cargo security. The Emira’s hatchback body style 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 F. The Emira doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the RC F is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Emira. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 Emira doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The RC F’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 Emira doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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. Lotus does not offer a locking feature on the Emira’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 Emira can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RC F’s standard Smart Access allow 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. Keyless Start standard on the Emira only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The RC F’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 Emira’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Emira 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 Emira doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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

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

The RC F’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Emira doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Lexus RC F has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lotus charges extra for Homelink® on the Emira.

Compared to traditional radio, the Lexus RC F’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Emira.

The Lexus RC outsold the Lotus Emira by 13% during 2024.