Lexus RC vs Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 52 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus RC, a 26 mpg advantage and costs about $1,700 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Toyota Corolla leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Toyota Corolla
Compact Cars · 112 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lexus RC | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 26 mpg | 52 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 22 mpg | 53 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 32 mpg | 52 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,900 | $1,200 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 345 g/mi | 170 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI | SIDI & PFI, Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; 1-mode, SIDI & PFI; 3-mode |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (AV-S10), Automatic (variable gear ratios), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Regular, Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2025 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 50 | 112 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
RC vs Corolla: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lexus RC or the Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 52 mpg combined versus 26 mpg for the Lexus RC, a 26 mpg advantage and costs about $1,700 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Toyota Corolla runs about $1,200 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,900 for the Lexus RC — a difference of roughly $1,700 per year.
What engines do the RC and Corolla offer?
Lexus RC: SIDI & PFI. Toyota Corolla: SIDI & PFI, Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; 1-mode, SIDI & PFI; 3-mode.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Lexus RC as Subcompact Cars and the Toyota Corolla as Compact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More RC comparisons
Comparison id: lexus-rc-vs-toyota-corolla