2020 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2020 Lexus RC vs Mercedes-Benz C-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 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,116 a year to fuel (28 MPG), versus $2,469 for the 2020 Lexus RC (24 MPG). That's roughly $353 a year, or about $1,763 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 C-Class
Side by side
| Lexus RC | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,469 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,116 |
| 24 MPG | Combined efficiency | 28 MPG |
| 21 MPG | City | 24 MPG |
| 30 MPG | Highway | 35 MPG |
| 84 cu ft | Passenger volume | 90 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| 363 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 315 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| 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 C-Class across model years
- Lexus RC
- Mercedes-Benz C-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 C-Class has more passenger space (90 vs. 84 cu ft); the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has more cargo space (13 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 39 2020 subcompact cars, the Lexus RC ranks 24th and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 13th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2020 Lexus RC or the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The Lexus RC is rated 24 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 28 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2020 Lexus RC vs. the Mercedes-Benz C-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,469 for the Lexus RC and $2,116 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Lexus RC vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class in other years
More 2020 comparisons
Lexus RC vs…
Or compare the 2020 Lexus RC with anything else: