2016 head-to-head · Subcompact Car

2016 Cadillac ELR 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.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
2016 Cadillac ELRPlug-in hybrid
$1,311/ year to fuel
85 MPGe + 32 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$2,279/ year to fuel
26 MPG

The 2016 Cadillac ELR 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 $1,311 a year to fuel (85 MPGe + 32 MPG), versus $2,279 for the 2016 Lexus RC (26 MPG). That's roughly $968 a year, or about $4,840 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

  • Cadillac ELR
  • Lexus RC

Side by side

Cadillac ELRLexus RC
$1,311 Your annual fuel cost $2,279
85 MPGe + 32 MPG Combined efficiency 26 MPG
87 MPGe / 31 MPG City 22 MPG
83 MPGe / 33 MPG Highway 32 MPG
39 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) —
340 mi Driving range —
40 mi All-electric range —
83 cu ft Passenger volume 84 cu ft
11 cu ft Cargo volume 10 cu ft
91 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 348 g/mi
10/10 EPA fuel economy score 6/10
10/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 6/10
5 hrs Charge time at 240V —
Plug-in hybrid Powertrain Gas
Premium gas + electricity Fuel Premium gasoline
1.4L 4-cyl Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
CVT 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.

Cadillac ELR vs Lexus RC across model years

  • Cadillac ELR
  • 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 Cadillac ELR has more cargo space (11 vs. 10 cu ft).

Among 39 2016 subcompact cars, the Cadillac ELR ranks 7th and the Lexus RC 24th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Cadillac ELR is a plug-in hybrid, while the Lexus RC is a conventional gas model.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Cadillac ELR or the 2016 Lexus RC?

Measured by cost to drive, the Cadillac ELR. The Cadillac ELR is rated 85 MPGe + 32 MPG combined and the Lexus RC 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Cadillac ELR vs. the Lexus RC per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,311 for the Cadillac ELR and $2,279 for the Lexus RC.

Which has more cargo space?

The Cadillac ELR, with 11 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

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