Lexus SC MPG by year — every rating on record
The Lexus SC has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1999 to 2000. Across those years its best rated version returned 19 mpg (1999) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (1999). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #33 of 40 (18th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2000 | 2 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #31 of 39 (21th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact 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 placed highest in 2000 at #31 of 39, and lowest in 1999 at #33 of 40. It spent 0 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2000 | 4.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 4.0L 8-cyl | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1999 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1999 | 4.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 4.0L 8-cyl | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
What SC fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2000 Lexus SC 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 price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $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 2000 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 Subcompact Cars
Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 19 mpg the Lexus SC is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $441 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Subcompact 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.