Lexus SC 300/SC 430 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Lexus SC 300/SC 430 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 2002 to 2003. Across those years its best rated version returned 18 mpg (2002) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2002). The EPA record holds 2 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Minicompact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #11 of 16 (33th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars |
| 2003 | 1 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #14 of 26 (48th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Lexus SC 300/SC 430 placed highest in 2002 at #11 of 16, and lowest in 2003 at #14 of 26. It spent 0 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 2 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 | 4.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 4.3L 8-cyl | 16 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2002 | 4.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 4.3L 8-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
What SC 300/SC 430 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2003 Lexus SC 300/SC 430 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 $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 Minicompact Cars
Across the 153 nameplates EPA classifies as Minicompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 18 mpg the Lexus SC 300/SC 430 is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $319 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Minicompact 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.