2021 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2021 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 2021 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 $2,194 a year to fuel (27 MPG), versus $2,370 for the 2021 Lexus RC (25 MPG). That's roughly $176 a year, or about $878 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,370 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,194 |
| 25 MPG | Combined efficiency | 27 MPG |
| 21 MPG | City | 24 MPG |
| 31 MPG | Highway | 33 MPG |
| 84 cu ft | Passenger volume | 79 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 357 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 330 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 Lexus RC has more passenger space (84 vs. 79 cu ft).
Among 34 2021 subcompact cars, the Lexus RC ranks 21st and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 16th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Lexus RC or the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The Lexus RC is rated 25 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 27 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Lexus RC vs. the Mercedes-Benz C-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,370 for the Lexus RC and $2,194 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Lexus RC vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class in other years
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