2015 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2015 Audi A3 Diesel 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.
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 6-speed dual-clutch · 35 MPG
The 2015 Audi A3 Diesel is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,586 a year to fuel (35 MPG), versus $2,693 for the 2015 Lexus RC (22 MPG). That's roughly $1,107 a year, or about $5,537 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
- Audi A3 Diesel
- Lexus RC
Side by side
| Audi A3 Diesel | Lexus RC | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,586 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,693 |
| 35 MPG | Combined efficiency | 22 MPG |
| 31 MPG | City | 19 MPG |
| 41 MPG | Highway | 28 MPG |
| 86 cu ft | Passenger volume | 84 cu ft |
| 12 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 292 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 401 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Diesel | Powertrain | Gas |
| Diesel | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 3.5L 6-cyl |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| FWD | 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.
Audi A3 Diesel vs Lexus RC across model years
- Audi A3 Diesel
- 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 Audi A3 Diesel has more cargo space (12 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 36 2015 subcompact cars, the Audi A3 Diesel ranks 9th and the Lexus RC 25th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Audi A3 Diesel is a diesel, while the Lexus RC is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2015 Audi A3 Diesel or the 2015 Lexus RC?
Measured by cost to drive, the Audi A3 Diesel. The Audi A3 Diesel is rated 35 MPG combined and the Lexus RC 22 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2015 Audi A3 Diesel vs. the Lexus RC per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,586 for the Audi A3 Diesel and $2,693 for the Lexus RC.
Which has more cargo space?
The Audi A3 Diesel, with 12 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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