2018 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2018 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid vs Lexus RC
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
RWD · 0.6L 2-cyl · Single-speed · 109 MPGe + 35 MPG
The 2018 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $933 a year to fuel (109 MPGe + 35 MPG), versus $2,279 for the 2018 Lexus RC (26 MPG). That's roughly $1,346 a year, or about $6,730 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid
- Lexus RC
Side by side
| BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid | Lexus RC | |
|---|---|---|
| $933 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,279 |
| 109 MPGe + 35 MPG | Combined efficiency | 26 MPG |
| 117 MPGe / 36 MPG | City | 22 MPG |
| 101 MPGe / 33 MPG | Highway | 32 MPG |
| 31 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 180 mi | Driving range | — |
| 97 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 84 cu ft | Passenger volume | 84 cu ft |
| 15 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 29 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 345 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| 5 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 0.6L 2-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| Single-speed | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| RWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid vs Lexus RC across model years
- BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid
- Lexus RC
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (15 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 44 2018 subcompact cars, the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid ranks 3rd and the Lexus RC 21st for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the Lexus RC is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid or the 2018 Lexus RC?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid. The BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid is rated 109 MPGe + 35 MPG combined and the Lexus RC 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Lexus RC per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $933 for the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid and $2,279 for the Lexus RC.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid vs Lexus RC in other years
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