2017 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2017 Lexus RC vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
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 2017 Lexus RC is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,279 a year to fuel (26 MPG), versus $2,370 for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (25 MPG). That's roughly $91 a year, or about $456 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
- Lexus RC
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Side by side
| Lexus RC | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,279 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,370 |
| 26 MPG | Combined efficiency | 25 MPG |
| 22 MPG | City | 22 MPG |
| 32 MPG | Highway | 30 MPG |
| 84 cu ft | Passenger volume | 98 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| 345 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 351 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 9-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.
Lexus RC vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class across model years
- Lexus RC
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has more passenger space (98 vs. 84 cu ft); the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has more cargo space (13 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 43 2017 subcompact cars, the Lexus RC ranks 21st and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 23rd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Lexus RC or the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the Lexus RC. The Lexus RC is rated 26 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class 25 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Lexus RC vs. the Mercedes-Benz E-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,279 for the Lexus RC and $2,370 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
More 2017 comparisons
Lexus RC vs…
Or compare the 2017 Lexus RC with anything else: