Compare the2024 Lexus RC FVS 2024 Ford Mustang

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 Mustang doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The RC F offers optional Intuitive Park Assist to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Mustang doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the RC F and the Mustang have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RC F the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 206 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Mustang has not been tested, yet.

The RC F comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Mustang’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RC F 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Mustang. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Mustang ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RC F’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Mustang’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 18th.

The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 157 more horsepower (472 vs. 315) and 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 350) than the Mustang EcoBoost’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus RC F is faster than the Mustang EcoBoost 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the RC F gets better mileage than the Mustang Fastback:

The RC F has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The RC F has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mustang V8’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 16 gallons).

The RC F has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Mustang. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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

The RC F Track Edition has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Mustang doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction and acceleration, the RC F has larger standard rear tires than the Mustang (275/35R19 vs. 235/55R17).

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 Mustang EcoBoost’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RC F has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Mustang EcoBoost.

The RC F handles at .98 G’s, while the Mustang EcoBoost Fastback pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the RC F’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Mustang’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.5 feet). The RC F’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the Mustang GT/Dark Horse’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.8 feet).

The RC F is 4 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the RC F easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the RC F is quieter than the Mustang GT Premium Fastback:

The RC F has .2 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear hip room than the Mustang Fastback.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 59% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional in the Mustang, 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.

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 Mustang can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RC F’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Mustang Premium/Convertible/Dark Horse.

When the RC F is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Mustang’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RC F’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Mustang offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RC F offers an optional center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Mustang doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The RC F has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Mustang.

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