2021 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2021 BMW M 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.
The 2021 BMW M is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,279 a year to fuel (26 MPG), versus $2,370 for the 2021 Lexus RC (25 MPG). That's roughly $91 a year, or about $456 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 M
- Lexus RC
Side by side
| BMW M | Lexus RC | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,279 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,370 |
| 26 MPG | Combined efficiency | 25 MPG |
| 23 MPG | City | 21 MPG |
| 32 MPG | Highway | 31 MPG |
| 91 cu ft | Passenger volume | 84 cu ft |
| 12 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 335 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 357 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| AWD | 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 M vs Lexus RC across model years
- BMW M
- 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 M has more passenger space (91 vs. 84 cu ft); the BMW M has more cargo space (12 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 34 2021 subcompact cars, the BMW M ranks 18th and the Lexus RC 21st for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 BMW M or the 2021 Lexus RC?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW M. The BMW M is rated 26 MPG combined and the Lexus RC 25 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 BMW M vs. the Lexus RC per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,279 for the BMW M and $2,370 for the Lexus RC.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW M, with 12 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW M vs Lexus RC in other years
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