2018 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2018 Audi A3 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.
The 2018 Audi A3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,603 a year to fuel (29 MPG), versus $2,279 for the 2018 Lexus RC (26 MPG). That's roughly $675 a year, or about $3,377 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
- Lexus RC
Side by side
| Audi A3 | Lexus RC | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,603 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,279 |
| 29 MPG | Combined efficiency | 26 MPG |
| 26 MPG | City | 22 MPG |
| 35 MPG | Highway | 32 MPG |
| 86 cu ft | Passenger volume | 84 cu ft |
| 12 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 303 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 345 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 7-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 vs Lexus RC across model years
- Audi A3
- 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 has more cargo space (12 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 44 2018 subcompact cars, the Audi A3 ranks 7th and the Lexus RC 21st for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Audi A3 or the 2018 Lexus RC?
Measured by cost to drive, the Audi A3. The Audi A3 is rated 29 MPG combined and the Lexus RC 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Audi A3 vs. the Lexus RC per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,603 for the Audi A3 and $2,279 for the Lexus RC.
Which has more cargo space?
The Audi A3, with 12 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Audi A3 vs Lexus RC in other years
More 2018 comparisons
Audi A3 vs…
Or compare the 2018 Audi A3 with anything else: