2026 head-to-head · Compact Car
2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid vs Lexus IS
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 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,911 a year to fuel (31 MPG), versus $2,693 for the 2026 Lexus IS (22 MPG). That's roughly $782 a year, or about $3,909 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 3 Series Hybrid
- Lexus IS
Side by side
| BMW 3 Series Hybrid | Lexus IS | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,911 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,693 |
| 31 MPG | Combined efficiency | 22 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 19 MPG |
| 35 MPG | Highway | 27 MPG |
| 94 cu ft | Passenger volume | 90 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 11 cu ft |
| 286 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 403 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 4/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 4/10 |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 3.5L 6-cyl |
| 8-speed automatic | 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 3 Series Hybrid vs Lexus IS across model years
- BMW 3 Series Hybrid
- Lexus IS
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 3 Series Hybrid has more passenger space (94 vs. 90 cu ft); the BMW 3 Series Hybrid has more cargo space (13 vs. 11 cu ft).
Among 21 2026 compact cars, the BMW 3 Series Hybrid ranks 13th and the Lexus IS 19th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the BMW 3 Series Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Lexus IS is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid or the 2026 Lexus IS?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 3 Series Hybrid. The BMW 3 Series Hybrid is rated 31 MPG combined and the Lexus IS 22 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid vs. the Lexus IS per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,911 for the BMW 3 Series Hybrid and $2,693 for the Lexus IS.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW 3 Series Hybrid, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 11 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW 3 Series Hybrid vs Lexus IS in other years
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