Lexus LC 500 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Lexus LC 500 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 9 model years, from 2018 to 2026. Across those years its best rated version returned 19 mpg (2018) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2024). The EPA record holds 9 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #67 of 82 (19th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2019 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #76 of 85 (11th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2020 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #78 of 87 (10th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2021 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #73 of 79 (8th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2022 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #68 of 74 (8th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2023 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #65 of 75 (14th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2024 | 1 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #63 of 69 (9th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2025 | 1 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #56 of 59 (5th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2026 | 1 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #44 of 46 (4th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Lexus LC 500 placed highest in 2026 at #44 of 46, and lowest in 2020 at #78 of 87. It spent 0 of its 9 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 9 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Premium | SIDI & PFI | 16 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 481 | 3/10 |
| 2025 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Premium | SIDI & PFI | 16 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 481 | 4/10 |
| 2024 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Premium | SIDI & PFI | 16 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 481 | 4/10 |
| 2023 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Premium | SIDI & PFI | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 473 | 4/10 |
| 2022 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Premium | SIDI & PFI | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 473 | 4/10 |
| 2021 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Premium | SIDI & PFI | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 473 | 3/10 |
| 2020 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Premium | SIDI & PFI | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 473 | 3/10 |
| 2019 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Premium | SIDI & PFI | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 473 | 3/10 |
| 2018 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) Premium | SIDI & PFI | 16 | 26 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 459 | 3/10 |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 → 2024 | 19 → 18 mpg | -1 mpg | 639 gal |
What LC 500 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2026 Lexus LC 500 burns 639 to 639 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.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,917 | $1,917 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,236 | $2,236 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,556 | $2,556 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2026 model year is $4,300 to $4,300 a year in fuel, or $10,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Subcompact Cars
Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 18 mpg the Lexus LC 500 is 6 mpg below the median, which is worth about $559 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Subcompact 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.