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Lexus adds RC 200t, RC 300 AWD for 2016

Do you really like the Lexus RC 350, but wish it had just a bit lower cost of entry? Good news for you then, as Lexus has just added a pair of new models to its two-door lineup. The RC now mimics the powertrain options for the 2016 IS. The new RC 200t slashes the cost of entry for the two-door Lexus, but it's unclear by how much. Lexus hasn't published pricing for the 241-horsepower, 258-pound-foot 200t, although we can come up with a ballpark based on the four-door model. The IS 200t starts at $38,265 compared to the IS 350's $41,810 price. Assuming the cars are similarly scaled, there's roughly a $3,500 price difference between the 350 and the 200t, so our best guess for the RC 200t is $40,200. As for the new RC 300 AWD, it uses the same 3.5-liter V6 as the IS 300, offering up 255 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque with standard all-wheel drive. As for the RC's other V6 option, the RC 350 will continue to be offered up with both rear- or all-wheel drive. Power output remains pegged at 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Scroll on for the full press blast on the new RC, which will also come with a smattering of smaller changes for 2016. Related Video: LEXUS RC COUPE ENHANCED FOR 2016 WITH TRIO OF ENGINE CHOICES - NEW TURBOCHARGED ENGINE AND V6 AWD Three Engine Options: 241 hp Turbocharged 4-Cylinder, 255 hp V6 and 306 hp V6 Ultra-Stiff Platform for Exceptional Handling F SPORT Model with Electronic Suspension Damping and Rear-Wheel Steering Available Lexus Enform Service Connect Offers Peace of Mind October 02, 2015 -- The RC luxury sport coupe was introduced to Lexus' stable for the 2015 model year and it returns for 2016 model year with new engine variants. The new RC 200t and RC 300 AWD join the RC 350 for a more extensive luxury coupe line-up that offers drivers more horsepower options to fit their needs. In addition, the Lexus RC features several other changes for 2016. The RC 200t F SPORT and 350 RWD F SPORT now offer optional orange brake callipers and Limited Slip differential. Performance dampers are standard for RC 200t and available for RC 350 RWD F SPORT. Eminent White Pearl exterior paint replaces Starfire Pearl. Drivers can now opt in for additional peace of mind with Lexus Enform Service Connect. Lexus Enform Service Connect (one-year complimentary subscription) allows customers to remotely view information about certain aspects of their Lexus vehicle via the MyLexusandBeyond mobile application for iOS smartphone users or LexusDrivers.com.

Consumer Reports no longer recommends Honda Civic

Consumer Reports annual Car Reliability Survey is out, and yes, there are some big surprises. First and foremost? The venerable publication no longer recommends the Honda Civic. In fact, aside from the walking-dead CR-Z and limited-release Clarity fuel-cell car, the Civic is the only Honda to miss out on CR's prestigious nod. At the opposite end there's a surprise as well – Toyota and Lexus remain the most reliable brands on the market, but Buick cracked the top three. That's up from seventh last year, and the first time for an American brand to stand on the Consumer Reports podium. Mazda's entire lineup earned Recommended checks as well. Consumer Reports dinged the Civic for its "infuriating" touch-screen radio, lack of driver lumbar adjustability, the limited selection of cars on dealer lots fitted with Honda's popular Sensing system, and the company's decision to offer LaneWatch instead of a full-tilt blind-spot monitoring system. Its score? A lowly 58. The Civic isn't the only surprise drop from CR's Recommended ranks. The Audi A3, Ford F-150, Subaru WRX/STI, and Volkswagen Jetta, GTI, and Passat all lost the Consumer Reports' checkmark. On the flipside, a number of popular vehicles graduated to the Recommended ranks, including the BMW X5, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, and Cruze, Hyundai Santa Fe, Porsche Macan, and Tesla Model S. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the hilariously recall-prone Ford Escape getting a Recommended check – considering the popularity of Ford's small crossover, this is likely a coup for the brand, as it puts the Escape on a level playing field with the Recommended Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. While Ford is probably happy to see CR promote the Escape, the list wasn't as kind for every brand. For example, of the entire Fiat Chrysler Automobiles catalog, the ancient Chrysler 300 was the only car to score a check – there wasn't a single Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, or Ram on the list. That hurts. FCA isn't alone at the low end, either. GMC, Jaguar Land Rover, Mini, and Mitsubishi don't have a vehicle on CR's list between them, while brands like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Nissan, Lincoln, Infiniti, and Cadillac only have a few models each. You can check out Consumer Reports entire reliability roundup, even without a subscription, here.

Ford tumbles to second worst in Consumer Reports reliability survey, list dominated by Japanese [w/video]

It's no secret that MyFord Touch has had its share of problems since being introduced, but the most recent reliability survey from Consumer Reports shows just how much this infotainment system has affected Ford. Just two years ago, the automaker was in the top 10 for the institute's reliability rankings, but since then, it has tumbled to the second-lowest rung just above dead-last Jaguar. In addition to MyFord Touch, CR also attributes a handful of new products that have had issues right out of the gate.
Compiled from 1.2 million subscriber surveys, this year's auto reliability survey heavily favors Japanese automakers, with eight of the 10 spots hailing from Japan. Toyota brands grabbed the top three spots (Scion, Toyota and Lexus - in that order) with Mazda, Subaru, Honda and Acura filling the next four spots. The only non-Asian automaker cracking the top 10 was Audi at number eight.
Audi climbed a total of 18 spots from last year, and Cadillac and GMC round out this year's top gainers breaking into the top 15. Helping Cadillac's upward movement, the CTS Coupe was named the most reliable domestic car. Lincoln, Volvo and Chrysler join Ford on this year's biggest loser list.