Compare the2025 Ford MustangVS 2025 Lexus RC

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Mustang are reminded to check the back seat. The RC doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mustang has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RC doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Mustang and RC have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mustang has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The RC’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Mustang and the RC 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.

There are almost 12 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Mustang’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the RC’s camshafts. If the RC’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The RC doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mustang’s reliability 19 points higher than the RC.

The Mustang has more powerful engines than the RC:

As tested in Car and Driver the Mustang EcoBoost 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the RC 350 3.5 DOHC V6 (automatics tested):

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang (except Dark Horse)’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The RC doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Mustang uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The RC requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RC doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Mustang offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The RC doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RC.

The Mustang Manual’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RC doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Mustang stops much shorter than the RC:

For better traction, the Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RC (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19).

The Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RC F Sport’s 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The RC’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the RC.

The Mustang Dark Horse handles at 1.07 G’s, while the RC 350 AWD pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The RC doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has 1 inch more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 2.5 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RC.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the RC (13.5 vs. 10.4 cubic feet).

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The RC has no towing capacity.

The Mustang’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RC’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Mustang’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 RC’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lexus RC isn’t available as a convertible.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Mustang, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Mustang outsold the Lexus RC by over 20 to one during 2024.