8 Series vs RC 300
Shopping across brands means comparing different philosophies. The 8 Series and the RC 300 show how BMW and Lexus each approach the sports car class. What you gain on one side you give up on the other: the 8 Series wins on engine & performance, the RC 300 on fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance 8 Series wins
- Fuel Economy & Range RC 300 wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance3.7
- Fuel Economy & Range4.1
- Engine & Performance1.6
- Fuel Economy & Range4.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The 8 Series has 94 hp more power
Not a close call. The 8 Series lists 335 hp and the RC 300 lists 241 hp. That’s a substantial gap. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The 8 Series has 110 lb-ft more torque
Among all the differences on this page, 368 lb-ft against 258 lb-ft is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the 8 Series. The 8 Series’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
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The RC 300 has better highway fuel economy
On fuel economy (highway), the RC 300 edges out the 8 Series, 31 mpg to 29 mpg. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | 8 Series | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 185 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 72.4 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 54.9 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 107.5 in |
Engine & Performance
8 Series leads
The 8 Series is the clear pick if engine & performance is what you care about most. The 8 Series answers with 94 hp more power. The 8 Series’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. That makes the 8 Series the natural choice for buyers focused on engine & performance.
Total system output
8 Series: 335 hp RC 300: 241 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
8 Series: 368 lb-ft RC 300: 258 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
RC 300 leads
If you’re keeping score, the fuel economy & range point goes narrowly to the RC 300. The RC 300 pulls ahead with better highway fuel economy. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point. Weighing only fuel economy & range, the RC 300 comes out ahead.
Fuel economy (highway)
8 Series: 29 mpg RC 300: 31 mpg The RC 300 uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t space & practicality. The takeaway: space & practicality is not where these two differ.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The differences on off-road & towing are small enough to ignore in daily use. Neither car gives you a reason to choose it on off-road & towing.
Safety & Tech
Nothing to tally in the safety & tech section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the 8 Series and the RC 300 each use.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | 8 Series | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 3.0L turbo I6 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 335 hp (winner) | 241 hp |
| Torque | 368 lb-ft (winner) | 258 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD (xDrive AWD available) | RWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | 8 Series | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 24 mpg | 25 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 29 mpg | 31 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 17.5 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | 8 Series | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 seats | 4 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 10.4 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | 8 Series | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | 8 Series | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 10.3 in |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | 8 Series | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 185 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 72.4 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 54.9 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 107.5 in |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the 8 Series if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (335 hp vs 241 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (368 lb-ft vs 258 lb-ft of torque)
- you already know your way around BMW’s products
Choose the RC 300 if…
- you cover long highway distances (31 mpg vs 29 mpg on the highway)
- you already use other Lexus products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the 8 Series or the RC 300?
It depends on your priorities: the 8 Series is stronger on engine & performance, while the RC 300 leads on fuel economy & range.
Executive Summary
Comparing the 8 Series and the RC 300 feels a bit like comparing two good restaurants with different menus. I think the 8 Series makes its strongest case with 94 hp more power. I don’t want to sell the RC 300 short, though: it has better highway fuel economy.
Fit matters more than scores here. The 8 Series suits buyers focused on engine & performance; the RC 300 suits those focused on fuel economy & range.
My pick: the 8 Series if engine & performance is a daily concern, otherwise the RC 300 for its fuel economy & range.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.