2016 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2016 BMW i8 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.
AWD · 1.5L 3-cyl turbo · 6-speed automatic · 76 MPGe + 28 MPG
The 2016 BMW i8 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,759 a year to fuel (76 MPGe + 28 MPG), versus $2,279 for the 2016 Lexus RC (26 MPG). That's roughly $520 a year, or about $2,598 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 i8
- Lexus RC
Side by side
| BMW i8 | Lexus RC | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,759 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,279 |
| 76 MPGe + 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 26 MPG |
| 80 MPGe / 28 MPG | City | 22 MPG |
| 72 MPGe / 29 MPG | Highway | 32 MPG |
| 43 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 330 mi | Driving range | — |
| 15 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 81 cu ft | Passenger volume | 84 cu ft |
| 5 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 198 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 348 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 9/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| 2 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-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 i8 vs Lexus RC across model years
- BMW i8
- 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 Lexus RC has more passenger space (84 vs. 81 cu ft); the Lexus RC has more cargo space (10 vs. 5 cu ft).
Among 39 2016 subcompact cars, the BMW i8 ranks 12th and the Lexus RC 24th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid, while the Lexus RC is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 BMW i8 or the 2016 Lexus RC?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i8. The BMW i8 is rated 76 MPGe + 28 MPG combined and the Lexus RC 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 BMW i8 vs. the Lexus RC per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,759 for the BMW i8 and $2,279 for the Lexus RC.
Which has more cargo space?
The Lexus RC, with 10 cu ft of luggage volume versus 5 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW i8 vs Lexus RC in other years
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