Lexus IS vs BMW 2 Series
The BMW 2 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus IS, a 5 mpg advantage and costs about $450 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the BMW 2 Series leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lexus IS | BMW 2 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 26 mpg | 31 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 22 mpg | 27 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 32 mpg | 39 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,900 | $2,450 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 345 g/mi | 279 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI, SIDI | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI & PFI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S7), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium |
| EPA class | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 52 | 93 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
IS vs 2 Series: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lexus IS or the BMW 2 Series?
The BMW 2 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus IS, a 5 mpg advantage and costs about $450 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the BMW 2 Series runs about $2,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,900 for the Lexus IS — a difference of roughly $450 per year.
What engines do the IS and 2 Series offer?
Lexus IS: SIDI & PFI, SIDI. BMW 2 Series: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI & PFI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Lexus IS as Compact Cars and the BMW 2 Series as Subcompact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More IS comparisons
Comparison id: lexus-is-vs-bmw-2-series