2026 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2026 Audi RS vs BMW M
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 · 2.5L 5-cyl turbo · 7-speed dual-clutch · 23 MPG
The 2026 Audi RS is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,576 a year to fuel (23 MPG), versus $3,118 for the 2026 BMW M (19 MPG). That's roughly $542 a year, or about $2,712 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
- Audi RS
- BMW M
Side by side
| Audi RS | BMW M | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,576 | Your annual fuel cost | $3,118 |
| 23 MPG | Combined efficiency | 19 MPG |
| 20 MPG | City | 16 MPG |
| 29 MPG | Highway | 23 MPG |
| 87 cu ft | Passenger volume | 88 cu ft |
| 8 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 387 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 473 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 4/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 4/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo |
| 7-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| 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.
Audi RS vs BMW M across model years
- Audi RS
- BMW M
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 BMW M has more cargo space (10 vs. 8 cu ft).
Among 26 2026 subcompact cars, the Audi RS ranks 15th and the BMW M 21st for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Audi RS or the 2026 BMW M?
Measured by cost to drive, the Audi RS. The Audi RS is rated 23 MPG combined and the BMW M 19 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Audi RS vs. the BMW M per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,576 for the Audi RS and $3,118 for the BMW M.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW M, with 10 cu ft of luggage volume versus 8 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Audi RS vs BMW M in other years
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