The Lexus LC does 23.7 mpg combined (20.8 city, 29.1 highway), which works out to about $1,620 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.5L 6-cyl does 30 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 18.7 — a difference of $773 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Lexus LC engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Lexus LC ranges from 30 down to 18.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $773 a year across 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 26 / 35 | 2018–2018 | $1,280 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl Hybrid | 26.3 / 33.9 | 2019–2025 | $1,311 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 16 / 24.8 | 2018–2026 | $2,053 |
What that actually costs
The Lexus LC burns a gallon every 23.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 506 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.135 |
| Fuel per year | $1,620 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,100 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$765 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,418 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lexus LC gives up 8.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 29.1 out there against 20.8 in town, a 40% drop worth $526 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 | 20.8 mpg | $1,846 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.1 mpg | $1,320 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.3 mpg (40%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the LC changed over the years
The LC peaked in 2020 at 24.5 mpg (21.5 city, 30 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 18 — 6.5 mpg apart, or $566 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 18. 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 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2025 | 21 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2024 | 21 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2023 | 21 / 29 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2022 | 21 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2021 | 21 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2020 | 21.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2019 | 21.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2018 | 21 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,567 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 17 EPA ratings of the Lexus LC — 3 engines across 2018–2026. 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 $3,418. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lexus LC get?
23.7 mpg combined on average — 20.8 in the city and 29.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2018–2026.
How much does a Lexus LC cost in fuel per year?
About $1,620 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,100 over five years, or 0.135 dollars a mile.
Which LC engine is the most economical?
The 3.5L 6-cyl at 30 mpg, against 18.7 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $773 a year.
Is the LC good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world LC 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 LC is $3,418 against the $1,620 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 30 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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