Tank Ledger

Lexus SC 430 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Lexus SC 430 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 7 model years, from 2004 to 2010. Across those years its best rated version returned 19 mpg (2006) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2004). The EPA record holds 7 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Minicompact Cars.

19best combined mpg (2006)
18worst combined mpg (2004)
19latest year best (2010)
7configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2004118 mpg18 mpg#14 of 26 (48th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2005118 mpg18 mpg#17 of 34 (52th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2006119 mpg19 mpg#11 of 24 (57th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2007119 mpg19 mpg#12 of 27 (58th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2008119 mpg19 mpg#16 of 25 (38th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2009119 mpg19 mpg#20 of 27 (27th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2010119 mpg19 mpg#21 of 29 (29th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact 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 430 placed highest in 2006 at #11 of 24, and lowest in 2010 at #21 of 29. It spent 3 of its 7 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 7 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20104.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) PremiumPR162319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20094.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.3L 8-cyl162319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20084.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.3L 8-cyl162319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20074.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.3L 8-cyl162319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20064.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.3L 8-cyl172319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20054.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.3L 8-cyl162218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20044.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.3L 8-cyl162218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2005 → 200618 → 19 mpg+1 mpg605 gal

What SC 430 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2010 Lexus SC 430 burns 605 to 605 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$1,816$1,816$0
$3.50/gal$2,118$2,118$0
$4.00/gal$2,421$2,421$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2010 model year is $4,100 to $4,100 a year in fuel, or $9,250 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 19 mpg the Lexus SC 430 is 2 mpg below the median, which is worth about $202 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.