Skip to ContentSkip to Footer
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Best cars
  • Accessories & tyres
  • Advice
  • Vans
  • Sell a car
  • Car deals
Subscribe

Find a car review

Make
  • Abarth
  • Alfa Romeo
  • Alpina
  • Alpine
  • Ascari
  • Aston Martin
  • Audi
  • Bentley
  • BMW
  • Bristol
  • Cadillac
  • Caterham
  • Chevrolet
  • Chrysler
  • Citroen
  • Corvette
  • Cupra
  • Dacia
  • Daihatsu
  • DFSK
  • Dodge
  • DS
  • Ferrari
  • Fiat
  • Fisker
  • Ford
  • Genesis
  • Great Wall
  • Honda
  • Hyundai
  • Infiniti
  • Invicta
  • Isuzu
  • Iveco
  • Jaguar
  • Jeep
  • Kia
  • Koenigsegg
  • Lamborghini
  • Land Rover
  • LDV
  • LEVC
  • Lexus
  • Lotus
  • MAN
  • Marcos
  • Maserati
  • Maybach
  • Mazda
  • McLaren
  • Mercedes
  • MG
  • MINI
  • Mitsubishi
  • Morgan
  • Nissan
  • Noble
  • Perodua
  • Peugeot
  • Pininfarina
  • Polestar
  • Porsche
  • Proton
  • Renault
  • Rivian
  • Rolls-Royce
  • Saab
  • SEAT
  • Skoda
  • Smart
  • SsangYong
  • Subaru
  • Suzuki
  • Tesla
  • Toyota
  • Vauxhall
  • Volkswagen
  • Volvo
  • Westfield
Model
News
  • Home
  • Lexus
  • RC
  • RC F Coupe

Lexus RC F vs BMW M4 - pictures

by: Auto Express team
1 Apr 2015
Go to: Lexus RC F vs BMW M4
  • Lexus RC F vs BMW M4

    The Lexus RC F packs more punch than the BMW M4, but can this newcomer take on and beat the M4 at its own game? 

  • Lexus RC F - front cornering

    "The RC F's engine boasts 46bhp more than the M4's, but its power delivery and extra 200kg-plus of weight mean it's slower than its rival. However, unless you're a track day addict, the Lexus should provide plenty of performance." - Se

  • Lexus RC F - rear tracking

    The naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 produces a great, deep exhaust note. While the throttle response is crisp, it can't live up to the BMW's turbocharged mid-range punch. 

  • Lexus RC F - cabin

    Inside, the RC F is more reserved than the exterior, with a centre console sloping down from the dash and cossets the driver. The deep-set sat nav screen is controlled via a touchpad behind the gearlever. Lexus has persevered with this

  • Lexus RC F - rear seats

    The rear seats in the Lexus are cramped, while rear three quarter vision is hampered by the chunky, sloping rear pillars. 

  • Lexus RC F - front seat

    There's plenty of kit on offer in the Lexus, plus the refined cabin makes for a relaxed cruiser. 

  • Lexus RC F - dials

    The cabin highlight is the adjustable TFT screen acting as the dial pack. In Sport S+ mode, there's a large, central rev counter with a lap timer function, too. 

  • Lexus RC F - interior detail

    Eight-speed auto gearbox is relaxed and refined around town, but it can feel hesitant and sluggish in manual mode. 

  • Lexus RC F - front cornering

    The Lexus' chunky kerbweight makes it feel less responsive than the M4 on track, but agility is improved with the optional torque vectoring diff set to Slalom mode. 

  • Lexus RC F - engine

    5.0-litre V8 puts out 471bhp and makes a great noise. 

  • Lexus RC F - light detail

    Lexus' latest design language has been applied to the RC F, with particular attention paid to the design of the lights. The £625 Solar Flare paintwork helps the Lexus stand out, too. 

  • Lexus RC F - badge
  • Lexus RC F - front action

    The RC F doesn't generate the same level of grip as the M4, plus it feels heavy and lethargic when you try to change direction too quickly. It's just not quite as involving as we'd like. 

  • Lexus RC F - head to head
  • Lexus RC F vs BMW M4
  • Lexus RC F - vs BMW M4
  • BMW M4 - front cornering

    The M4 is powered by a 425bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, moving away from previous models' V8 powerplants. 

  • BMW M4 - rear action

    The ride isn't quite as comfortable as the Lexus', crashing over lumps and bumps thanks to the low profile tyres and 19-inch alloys. 

  • BMW M4 - interior

    Inside, there's little to differentiate the M4 from the standard 4 Series coupe, but there's carbon-fibre detailing and a head-up display to mark it out. 

  • BMW M4 - rear seats

    The back seats of the M4 are bigger and more comfortable than in the Lexus, and there's a generous cubbyhole count. The rear seats don't fold down, though, so the 445-litre boot is the maximum capacity you'll get from the M4.

  • BMW M4 - front action

    "On our head-to-head track test, the BMW's extra torque meant it roared out of corners and away from the Lexus down the straights. The M4's acceleration is savage, but it feels like it's on edge all the time compared to the more relaxe

  • BMW M4 - front seat
  • BMW M4 - dials

    Despite its on-paper fuel economy advantage, the M4 only recorded 21.1mpg on test, far short of the claimed 34mpg. If you use all of the car's power, efficiency is seriously dented. It is cheaper to insure and tax than the Lexus, thoug

  • BMW M4 - interior detail

    Eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox is snappy and contributes to the M4's feeling of being a European muscle car blending a rampant streak of acceleration with agile, exact handling. 

  • BMW M4 - static

    "Both the M4 and RC F are available in some vibrant colours, but there are more reserved finishes available as well." - James Disdale, road test editor. 

  • BMW M4 - engine

    BMW has dropped its old V8 in favour of a six-cylinder turbo for efficiency advantages. It doesn't sound as good as the Lexus, with a slight artificiality, but there's plenty of low-down grunt that's not present in the RC F. 

  • BMW M4 - exterior detail

    Low-slung, muscular stance transforms the M4 intoa menacing coupe, with three big air dams spanning the width of the front end. 

  • BMW M4 - wing mirror

    Cut outs in the mirrors are a key feature of the M4 and M3 models past, reducing drag and channelling air down the side of the car to the rear. 

  • BMW M4 - badge
  • BMW M4 - front cornering

    Point the M4 down a country road, and the extra focus on edginess and alertness shows its worth. There's confidence-inspiring grip, but it's easy to spin the wheels if you get a bit eager on the throttle. 

  • BMW M4 - rear tracking

    There's no denying the M4 boasts incredible performance. 

Most Popular

New MG 4 electric hatch arrives with 280 miles of range
New MG 4 2023
News

New MG 4 electric hatch arrives with 280 miles of range

The all-electric MG 4 hatchback rivals the Volkswagen ID.3 and introduces MG’s new MSP electric platform
28 Jun 2022
New Honda Civic 2022 review
Honda Civic - front
Road tests

New Honda Civic 2022 review

The all-new hybrid Honda Civic has finally arrived, but what’s like from behind the wheel? We find out…
28 Jun 2022
New 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 6 enters as sleek all-electric saloon
Hyundai Ioniq 6 - front
News

New 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 6 enters as sleek all-electric saloon

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the follow-up to the game-changing Ioniq 5 and packages the same EV technology into a streamlined shape
28 Jun 2022
Skip to HeaderSkip to Content
autoVia
  • Valuations
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Evo
  • Carbuyer
  • Buyacar
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Preferences

Try Auto Express magazine today

Get EVEN MORE amazing content every week
Try 6 issues for just £1 + FREE welcome giftTry 6 issues for just £1 + FREE welcome gift

Copyright © Autovia Ltd 2021. All rights reserved.
Auto Express™ is a registered trade mark.