2016 head-to-head · Compact Car
2016 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Lexus CT
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 · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 72 MPGe + 31 MPG
The 2016 Lexus CT is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity, $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,107 a year to fuel (42 MPG), versus $1,614 for the 2016 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid (72 MPGe + 31 MPG). That's roughly $507 a year, or about $2,534 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 Plug-in Hybrid
- Lexus CT
Side by side
| BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid | Lexus CT | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,614 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,107 |
| 72 MPGe + 31 MPG | Combined efficiency | 42 MPG |
| 67 MPGe / 28 MPG | City | 43 MPG |
| 78 MPGe / 36 MPG | Highway | 40 MPG |
| 47 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 350 mi | Driving range | — |
| 14 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 96 cu ft | Passenger volume | 86 cu ft |
| 9 cu ft | Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| 184 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 212 g/mi |
| 9/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 9/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 9/10 |
| 2 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 1.8L 4-cyl |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| RWD | 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 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Lexus CT across model years
- BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
- Lexus CT
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 Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (96 vs. 86 cu ft); the Lexus CT has more cargo space (14 vs. 9 cu ft).
Among 51 2016 compact cars, the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid ranks 26th and the Lexus CT 5th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the Lexus CT is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid or the 2016 Lexus CT?
Measured by cost to drive, the Lexus CT. The BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid is rated 72 MPGe + 31 MPG combined and the Lexus CT 42 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Lexus CT per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity, $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,614 for the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid and $1,107 for the Lexus CT.
Which has more cargo space?
The Lexus CT, with 14 cu ft of luggage volume versus 9 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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