Tank Ledger

Lexus RX 330 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Lexus RX 330 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2004 to 2006. Across those years its best rated version returned 20 mpg (2004) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2005). The EPA record holds 12 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD / Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.

20best combined mpg (2004)
18worst combined mpg (2005)
20latest year best (2006)
12configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2004420 mpg19 mpg#12 of 60 (81th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2005420 mpg18 mpg#19 of 59 (69th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2006420 mpg18 mpg#21 of 62 (67th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Lexus RX 330 placed highest in 2004 at #12 of 60, and lowest in 2006 at #21 of 62. It spent 3 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 12 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20063.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.3L 6-cyl162218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20063.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.3L 6-cyl172319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20063.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.3L 6-cyl162219605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20063.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.3L 6-cyl172320575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20053.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular3.3L 6-cyl162218638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
20053.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular3.3L 6-cyl172319605.315.7$3,300467.7368421052632n/a
20053.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Regular3.3L 6-cyl162219605.315.7$3,300467.7368421052632n/a
20053.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Regular3.3L 6-cyl172320575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
20043.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Regular3.3L 6-cyl162219605.315.7$3,300467.7368421052632n/a
20043.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular3.3L 6-cyl162219605.315.7$3,300467.7368421052632n/a
20043.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Regular3.3L 6-cyl172420575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
20043.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular3.3L 6-cyl172420575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a

What RX 330 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 Lexus RX 330 burns 575 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,725$1,917$192
$3.50/gal$2,013$2,236$224
$4.00/gal$2,300$2,556$256

EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $3,900 to $4,300 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

Across the 140 nameplates EPA classifies as Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, the median best combined rating is 22 mpg. At 20 mpg the Lexus RX 330 is 2 mpg below the median, which is worth about $183 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Lexus nameplates

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