VS

BMW 1 Series vs Lexus RC comparison

Compare performance (300 HP vs 464 HP), boot space and price (29,400 £ vs 82,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 1 Series or Lexus RC?

BMW 1 Series vs Lexus RC: Key differences

BMW 1 Series

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • considerably more efficient
  • moderately lighter
  • barely more trunk space
details

Lexus RC

  • visibly more power
  • a bit quicker 0–100 km/h
details

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

1 Series

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

BMW 1 Series is clearly cheaper – starting at 29,400 £ , while the Lexus RC costs 82,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 52,971 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 1 Series uses 4.3 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Lexus RC with 11.8 L/100km. The difference is about 7.5 L/100km.

RC

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Lexus RC offers visibly more power – delivering 464 HP compared to 300 HP. That’s roughly 164 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Lexus RC is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 4.3 s, while the BMW 1 Series takes 4.9 s. That’s about 0.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Lexus RC delivers noticeably more torque with 520 Nm compared to 400 Nm. That’s about 120 Nm more.

1 Series

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: BMW 1 Series offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

In terms of curb weight, BMW 1 Series is moderately lighter – 1,465 kg compared to 1,715 kg. The difference is around 250 kg.

Looking at boot space, the BMW 1 Series offers barely more boot space – 380 L compared to 366 L. That’s a difference of about 14 L.

When it comes to payload, the Lexus RC carries only slightly more – 535 kg compared to 510 kg. That’s a difference of about 25 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 1 Series is decisively ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £29,400
1 Series

BMW 1 Series

  • Engine Type Diesel, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Petrol
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 122 - 300 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 4.3 - 7.6 L/100km
BMW 1 Series
Lexus RC

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series is a compact premium hatchback that injects a proper sense of driving fun into everyday life, with sharp handling and a cabin that punches above its class. It’s a great pick for buyers who want sporty manners without losing practicality, and yes, you’ll still get that unmistakable BMW grin behind the wheel.

details

Lexus RC

The Lexus RC cuts a dramatic figure on the road with its bold grille and sculpted coupe silhouette, blending Japanese refinement with a dash of show-off flair. Inside it favors comfort and clever detailing over racetrack theatrics, so if you want a luxurious, dependable coupe that rewards everyday driving with poise and a grin, the RC is hard to ignore.

details
BMW 1 Series
Lexus RC

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,400 - 51,900 £
Price
82,300 - 101,500 £
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
11.8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
112 - 173 g/km
co2
268 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
66 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Coupe
Seats
5
Seats
4
Doors
-
Doors
3
Curb weight
1,465 - 1,625 kg
Curb weight
1,715 kg
Trunk capacity
300 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
366 L
Length
-
Length
4,710 mm
Width
1,800 mm
Width
1,845 mm
Height
-
Height
1,390 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
475 - 510 kg
Payload
535 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
122 - 300 HP
Power HP
464 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 4.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
270 km/h
Torque
230 - 400 Nm
Torque
520 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
8
Power kW
90 - 221 kW
Power kW
341 kW
Engine capacity
1,499 - 1,998 cm3
Engine capacity
4,969 cm3

General

Model Year
2024
Model Year
2,021 - 2,024
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
BMW
Brand
Lexus
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.