2021 head-to-head · Small SUV
2021 BMW X3 vs Lexus RX
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 2021 Lexus RX is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $2,022 a year to fuel (23 MPG), versus $2,194 for the 2021 BMW X3 (27 MPG). That's roughly $173 a year, or about $864 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 X3
- Lexus RX
Side by side
| BMW X3 | Lexus RX | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,194 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,022 |
| 27 MPG | Combined efficiency | 23 MPG |
| 25 MPG | City | 20 MPG |
| 29 MPG | Highway | 27 MPG |
| 332 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 391 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 3.5L 6-cyl |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| RWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ 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 X3 vs Lexus RX across model years
- BMW X3
- Lexus RX
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
Among 92 2021 small SUVs, the BMW X3 ranks 66th and the Lexus RX 57th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 BMW X3 or the 2021 Lexus RX?
Measured by cost to drive, the Lexus RX. The BMW X3 is rated 27 MPG combined and the Lexus RX 23 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 BMW X3 vs. the Lexus RX per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $2,194 for the BMW X3 and $2,022 for the Lexus RX.
BMW X3 vs Lexus RX in other years
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