2018 head-to-head · Subcompact Car

2018 Audi RS 5 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
$2,821/ year to fuel
21 MPG

AWD · 2.9L 6-cyl turbo · 8-speed dual-clutch · 21 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$2,279/ year to fuel
26 MPG

The 2018 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 $2,821 for the 2018 Audi RS 5 (21 MPG). That's roughly $543 a year, or about $2,713 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 RS 5
  • Lexus RC

Side by side

Audi RS 5Lexus RC
$2,821 Your annual fuel cost $2,279
21 MPG Combined efficiency 26 MPG
18 MPG City 22 MPG
26 MPG Highway 32 MPG
84 cu ft Passenger volume 84 cu ft
13 cu ft Cargo volume 10 cu ft
419 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 345 g/mi
4/10 EPA fuel economy score 5/10
4/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 5/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Premium gasoline Fuel Premium gasoline
2.9L 6-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
8-speed dual-clutch 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.

Audi RS 5 vs Lexus RC across model years

  • Audi RS 5
  • 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 RS 5 has more cargo space (13 vs. 10 cu ft).

Among 44 2018 subcompact cars, the Audi RS 5 ranks 32nd and the Lexus RC 21st for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Audi RS 5 or the 2018 Lexus RC?

Measured by cost to drive, the Lexus RC. The Audi RS 5 is rated 21 MPG combined and the Lexus RC 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Audi RS 5 vs. the Lexus RC per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,821 for the Audi RS 5 and $2,279 for the Lexus RC.

Which has more cargo space?

The Audi RS 5, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Audi RS 5 vs Lexus RC in other years

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