Compare the2024 Lexus RC FVS 2024 Lotus Emira

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/03/09

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 helps 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 has standard Pre-Collision System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Emira doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The RC F’s 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. The Emira doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RC F’s standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Emira doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The RC F’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Emira doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The RC F has standard Safety Connect®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Emira doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the RC F and the Emira have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available rear parking sensors.

The Lexus RC F weighs 502 to 623 pounds more than the Lotus Emira. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

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.

Engine

The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 112 more horsepower (472 vs. 360) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 317) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. 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.

Fuel Economy and Range

The RC F has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Emira (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

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.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the RC F has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Emira doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

Brakes and Stopping

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

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 Emira doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RC F’s front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Emira (255/35R19 vs. 245/35R20).

Suspension and Handling

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 (37.9% to 62.1%). This gives the RC F more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

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

Passenger Space

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).

Cargo Capacity

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

Servicing Ease

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 there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

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 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.

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.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the RC F detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Emira doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the RC F (except Track Edition) 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 (except Track Edition) 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.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the RC F has a standard Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Emira doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

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.

See Available Inventory