Lexus ES 300 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Lexus ES 300 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 12 model years, from 1992 to 2003. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (1995) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1992). The EPA record holds 14 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Lexus ES 300 placed highest in 2003 at #17 of 46, and lowest in 2001 at #49 of 62. It spent 2 of its 12 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 14 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 4 of 7 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What ES 300 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2003 Lexus ES 300 burns 548 to 548 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2003 model year is $2,950 to $2,950 a year in fuel, or $3,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 21 mpg the Lexus ES 300 is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $369 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Lexus nameplates

Every Lexus model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.