2021 head-to-head · Small SUV

2021 BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid vs Lexus RX

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$2,064/ year to fuel
60 MPGe + 24 MPG

AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 60 MPGe + 24 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$2,022/ year to fuel
23 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity, $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2021 BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid (60 MPGe + 24 MPG) costs about $2,064 a year to fuel and the 2021 Lexus RX (23 MPG) about $2,022.

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 X3 Plug-in Hybrid
  • Lexus RX

Side by side

BMW X3 Plug-in HybridLexus RX
$2,064 Your annual fuel cost $2,022
60 MPGe + 24 MPG Combined efficiency 23 MPG
59 MPGe / 21 MPG City 20 MPG
61 MPGe / 27 MPG Highway 27 MPG
56 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) —
340 mi Driving range —
18 mi All-electric range —
204 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 391 g/mi
7/10 EPA fuel economy score 5/10
9/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 5/10
3 hrs Charge time at 240V —
Plug-in hybrid Powertrain Gas
Premium gas + electricity Fuel Regular gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 3.5L 6-cyl
8-speed automatic Transmission 8-speed automatic
AWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ 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 X3 Plug-in Hybrid vs Lexus RX across model years

  • BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid
  • Lexus RX

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

Among 92 2021 small SUVs, the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid ranks 61st and the Lexus RX 57th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the Lexus RX is a conventional gas model.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid or the 2021 Lexus RX?

Measured by cost to drive, the Lexus RX. The BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid is rated 60 MPGe + 24 MPG combined and the Lexus RX 23 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Lexus RX per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity, $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $2,064 for the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid and $2,022 for the Lexus RX.

BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid vs Lexus RX in other years

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