Lexus GS F, RC F or IS350 F Sport: Choosing a Lexus Performance Car
The GS F, RC F and IS350 F Sport are among the last naturally aspirated, rear-wheel-drive performance cars from a major brand. Here is how they compare and how to choose the right one.
Most performance cars sold today are turbocharged, and many are going hybrid or electric. That makes Lexus’s naturally aspirated F cars feel special. A free-revving V8 or V6, rear-wheel drive and Lexus build quality is a combination that is getting harder to find, new or used. Here is how the three main choices compare, and how to pick the right one.
Why a Lexus performance car
Lexus F models were developed to be driven hard on track and still be comfortable every day. The cars share the brand’s reputation for durability, so a well-kept example can be a sensible way into a genuinely fast car. Japanese-market cars are often well specified and, as our guide to why Japanese cars have low kilometres explains, they have often covered less distance than you might expect.
GS F, RC F or IS350 F Sport?
Lexus GS F: the V8 sports sedan
The GS F puts the 5.0-litre V8 into the full-size GS sedan. You get four proper doors, a usable rear seat and a large boot, with Brembo brakes and a sports-tuned chassis. It is the car for someone who wants V8 performance without giving up family practicality.
See our 2016 GS F, with the Torque Vectoring Differential and Mark Levinson audio.
Lexus RC F: the V8 coupe
The RC F uses the same V8 in a two-door coupe body. It has the strongest presence of the three and suits a buyer who wants a weekend car that is still easy to drive every day. Rear seats are best for short trips or bags.
Ours is a 2015 RC F with a genuine TOM’S carbon aero package and TOM’S exhaust. TOM’S is a long-established Japanese tuner closely associated with Toyota and Lexus.
Lexus IS350 F Sport: the everyday choice
The IS350 F Sport is not a full F model, but it is a quick, well-balanced sports sedan. Its 3.5-litre V6 and 8-speed automatic drive the rear wheels, and F Sport models add sports suspension tuning, seats and styling. It is smaller and lighter on running costs than the V8 cars.
See our 2022 IS350 F Sport with adaptive suspension and forged BBS wheels.
Want Lexus sportiness with hybrid economy? The RC300h coupe offers RC styling with a 2.5-litre hybrid, for a calmer and more economical drive.
What to check on a used Lexus performance car
| Area | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Service history | Regular oil changes matter on a high-revving engine. Look for records from Japan and since arrival. |
| Brakes and tyres | Large performance brakes and wide tyres are expensive. Check pad and disc wear, tyre tread and tyre age. |
| Track or hard use | Look at the auction sheet and the car’s condition for signs of hard driving. Our auction sheet guide shows you how to read the grades. |
| Modifications | Quality brand-name parts, such as TOM’S, can add value. Ask what has been changed and whether it is road-legal in Australia. |
| Drive systems | Test every drive mode, and check that adaptive suspension and, where fitted, the Torque Vectoring Differential work without warnings. |
| Keys and paperwork | A full set of keys and service records are good signs of careful ownership. |
Which one is right for you?
- Choose the GS F if you need four doors and a real boot but want V8 performance.
- Choose the RC F if the car is mainly for you and you want the most character and presence.
- Choose the IS350 F Sport if it will be a daily driver and you want sharp handling with lower running costs.
Our view: naturally aspirated Lexus performance cars are unlikely to be built again in this form. Buy the best-kept example you can, with history and keys, and have it inspected. Every car in our Lexus collection is inspected and prepared in Adelaide, with the work listed on its page. Considering a flagship instead? Read our Lexus LS460 and LS600h guide.
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