Lexus RX 300 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Lexus RX 300 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1999 to 2003. Across those years its best rated version returned 19 mpg (1999) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1999). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Station Wagons.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | #10 of 12 (18th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons |
| 2000 | 2 | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | #12 of 14 (15th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons |
| 2001 | 2 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #14 of 15 (7th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons |
| 2002 | 2 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #14 of 15 (7th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons |
| 2003 | 2 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #14 of 15 (7th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Lexus RX 300 placed highest in 1999 at #10 of 12, and lowest in 2001 at #14 of 15. It spent 0 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2000 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2000 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1999 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 20 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1999 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 → 2001 | 19 → 18 mpg | -1 mpg | 639 gal |
What RX 300 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2003 Lexus RX 300 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 2003 model year is $3,450 to $3,450 a year in fuel, or $6,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Midsize Station Wagons
Across the 65 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Station Wagons, the median best combined rating is 22 mpg. At 18 mpg the Lexus RX 300 is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $407 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize Station Wagons 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.