Lexus's latest offering in the compact coupe market that came out for 2015 is the RC, which stands for “Radical Coupe.” The standalone performance-oriented model is called the RC F, and it carries a premium over a base RC 300, coming to a total base price of $64,650. For 2018 there have been a few minor updates to the RC range, but the only one to affect the RC F is that there is a new 10.3-inch navigation screen.

The RC F is set apart from the standard car by several aggressive styling cues, including the neat quad exhaust tips that are arranged diagonally. Under the hood is a 5.0-liter V-8 that makes 467 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque driving through an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Performance is exhilarating but not record-breaking with a 0-60 mile per hour time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 170 mph. Fuel economy for the RC F is respectable but unremarkable at 16 mpg city, 25 highway, and 19 combined.

Standard performance goodies includes a Torsen limited-slip differential, double-wishbone suspension front and rear, adaptive dampers, stabilizer bars and Brembo brakes. A torque-vectoring differential is optional, and steering is by electric power assist.

The driver-oriented RC F has plenty of space up front with wide well-bolstered seats, but the rear seats are pretty tight and the trunk offers 10.1 cubic feet. As for fit and finish, they are predictably high quality. Standard features include leather upholstery, power tilt and telescopic steering column, automatic climate control, Bluetooth capability and a USB port. Lexus still doesn’t offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but what is offered are a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, ventilated seats – as part of the Premium package – and navigation.

Lexus is frequently at the top of the heap when it comes to safety, and this extends to the company’s sportier models. The RC F earned Top Safety Pick+ status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The RC F comes standard with a reversing camera, and blind-spot monitors come as a package deal with the aforementioned Mark Levinson stereo. Standard equipment for Lexus models now includes the company’s Safety System+, which comes with such active safety features as forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beam headlights.