The Lexus IS does 22.1 mpg combined (19.1 city, 27.3 highway), which works out to about $1,738 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 25.1 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 18.2 — a difference of $580 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Lexus IS engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Lexus IS ranges from 25.1 down to 18.2 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $580 a year across 5 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 21.3 / 31.1 | 2016–2025 | $1,530 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 21 / 29.2 | 2006–2015 | $1,600 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 19.7 / 27.9 | 2016–2026 | $1,692 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 16.4 / 23.7 | 2008–2025 | $2,053 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 16 / 22.2 | 2001–2005 | $2,110 |
What that actually costs
The Lexus IS burns a gallon every 22.1 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 543 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,738 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,690 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$192 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,549 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lexus IS gives up 8.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.3 out there against 19.1 in town, a 43% drop worth $603 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 19.1 mpg | $2,010 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.3 mpg | $1,407 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.2 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the IS changed over the years
The IS peaked in 2018 at 24.5 mpg (21 city, 30 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 18 — 6.5 mpg apart, or $566 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 22. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2025 | 19.3 / 28 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2024 | 19.3 / 28 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2023 | 19.3 / 28 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2022 | 19.3 / 28 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2021 | 20.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2020 | 20.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2019 | 20.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2018 | 21 / 30 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2017 | 20.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2016 | 20.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2015 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2014 | 18.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2013 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2012 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2011 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2010 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2009 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 18.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2007 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2006 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2005 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2004 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2003 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2001 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 47 EPA ratings of the Lexus IS — 5 engines across 2001–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,549. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lexus IS get?
22.1 mpg combined on average — 19.1 in the city and 27.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2001–2026.
How much does a Lexus IS cost in fuel per year?
About $1,738 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,690 over five years, or 0.145 dollars a mile.
Which IS engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 25.1 mpg, against 18.2 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $580 a year.
Is the IS good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world IS figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Lexus IS is $3,549 against the $1,738 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 26 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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