Lexus RC vs BMW 4 Series
The BMW 4 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus RC, a 5 mpg advantage and costs about $450 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the BMW 4 Series leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lexus RC | BMW 4 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 26 mpg | 31 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 22 mpg | 28 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 32 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,900 | $2,450 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 345 g/mi | 285 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2025 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 50 | 160 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
RC vs 4 Series: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lexus RC or the BMW 4 Series?
The BMW 4 Series is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 31 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus RC, 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 4 Series runs about $2,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,900 for the Lexus RC — a difference of roughly $450 per year.
What engines do the RC and 4 Series offer?
Lexus RC: SIDI & PFI. BMW 4 Series: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI S.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Lexus RC as Subcompact Cars and the BMW 4 Series as Compact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More RC comparisons
Comparison id: lexus-rc-vs-bmw-4-series