2021 head-to-head · Subcompact Car

2021 BMW 4 Series Hybrid 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
$2,279/ year to fuel
26 MPG

RWD · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 26 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$2,370/ year to fuel
25 MPG

The 2021 BMW 4 Series Hybrid 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 2021 Lexus RC (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

  • BMW 4 Series Hybrid
  • Lexus RC

Side by side

BMW 4 Series HybridLexus RC
$2,279 Your annual fuel cost $2,370
26 MPG Combined efficiency 25 MPG
23 MPG City 21 MPG
31 MPG Highway 31 MPG
84 cu ft Passenger volume 84 cu ft
9 cu ft Cargo volume 10 cu ft
338 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 357 g/mi
5/10 EPA fuel economy score 5/10
5/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 5/10
Hybrid Powertrain Gas
Premium gasoline Fuel Premium gasoline
3.0L 6-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
8-speed automatic Transmission 8-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.

BMW 4 Series Hybrid vs Lexus RC across model years

  • BMW 4 Series Hybrid
  • 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 Lexus RC has more cargo space (10 vs. 9 cu ft).

Among 34 2021 subcompact cars, the BMW 4 Series Hybrid ranks 19th and the Lexus RC 21st for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the BMW 4 Series Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Lexus RC is a conventional gas model.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 BMW 4 Series Hybrid or the 2021 Lexus RC?

Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 4 Series Hybrid. The BMW 4 Series Hybrid is rated 26 MPG combined and the Lexus RC 25 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 BMW 4 Series Hybrid vs. the Lexus RC per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,279 for the BMW 4 Series Hybrid and $2,370 for the Lexus RC.

Which has more cargo space?

The Lexus RC, with 10 cu ft of luggage volume versus 9 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

BMW 4 Series Hybrid vs Lexus RC in other years

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