2019 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2019 BMW i8 vs Lexus LC Hybrid
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 · 69 MPGe + 27 MPG
RWD · 3.5L 6-cyl · CVT · 30 MPG
The 2019 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 $1,828 a year to fuel (69 MPGe + 27 MPG), versus $1,975 for the 2019 Lexus LC Hybrid (30 MPG). That's roughly $147 a year, or about $733 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 LC Hybrid
Side by side
| BMW i8 | Lexus LC Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,828 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,975 |
| 69 MPGe + 27 MPG | Combined efficiency | 30 MPG |
| 68 MPGe / 26 MPG | City | 27 MPG |
| 70 MPGe / 29 MPG | Highway | 35 MPG |
| 49 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 320 mi | Driving range | — |
| 18 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 81 cu ft | Passenger volume | 86 cu ft |
| 5 cu ft | Cargo volume | 5 cu ft |
| 191 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 298 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| 3 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 3.5L 6-cyl |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| 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 LC Hybrid across model years
- BMW i8
- Lexus LC Hybrid
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 LC Hybrid has more passenger space (86 vs. 81 cu ft).
Among 43 2019 subcompact cars, the BMW i8 ranks 8th and the Lexus LC Hybrid 11th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid, while the Lexus LC Hybrid is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2019 BMW i8 or the 2019 Lexus LC Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i8. The BMW i8 is rated 69 MPGe + 27 MPG combined and the Lexus LC Hybrid 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2019 BMW i8 vs. the Lexus LC Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,828 for the BMW i8 and $1,975 for the Lexus LC Hybrid.
BMW i8 vs Lexus LC Hybrid in other years
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