Tank Ledger

Lexus RX 400h MPG by year — every rating on record

The Lexus RX 400h has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2006 to 2008. Across those years its best rated version returned 27 mpg (2006) and its thirstiest returned 25 mpg (2008). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD / Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.

27best combined mpg (2006)
25worst combined mpg (2008)
25latest year best (2008)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2006227 mpg26 mpg#2 of 62 (98th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2007226 mpg26 mpg#2 of 71 (99th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2008225 mpg25 mpg#9 of 76 (89th 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 400h placed highest in 2006 at #2 of 62, and lowest in 2008 at #9 of 76. It spent 3 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20083.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (variable gear ratios) PremiumHEV, Hybrid, start-stop272425460.011.9$3,100355.48n/a
20083.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (variable gear ratios) PremiumHEV, Hybrid, start-stop262425460.011.9$3,100355.48n/a
20073.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (variable gear ratios) PremiumHEV, Hybrid, start-stop282526442.311.4$3,000341.8076923076923n/a
20073.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (variable gear ratios) PremiumHEV, Hybrid, start-stop272526442.311.4$3,000341.8076923076923n/a
20063.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (variable gear ratios) RegularHEV, Hybrid, start-stop272526442.311.4$2,400341.8076923076923n/a
20063.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (variable gear ratios) RegularHEV, Hybrid, start-stop282527425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2006 → 200727 → 26 mpg-1 mpg442 gal
2007 → 200826 → 25 mpg-1 mpg460 gal

What RX 400h fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2008 Lexus RX 400h burns 460 to 460 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$1,380$1,380$0
$3.50/gal$1,610$1,610$0
$4.00/gal$1,840$1,840$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2008 model year is $3,100 to $3,100 a year in fuel, or $4,250 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 25 mpg the Lexus RX 400h is 3 mpg better the median, which is worth about $220 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.