Against 145 other V8 cars rated 2024–2026, the LC beats their 16.5 mpg average by 1.5 mpg, about $194 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2018, the 3.5L 6-cyl (2018), does 30 mpg and the thirstiest, the 5L 8-cyl (2018–2026), 18.7: $773 a year apart.
Every Lexus LC engine, compared
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
Against its rivals in the same model years, the BMW M4 gets 19 mpg, the BMW M2 19 mpg and the Bentley Continental 19 mpg, next to 18 mpg for the 2026 LC. The LC costs the most of them to run: $112 a year more than the BMW M4.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.178 |
| Fuel per year | $2,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,665 |
| Against other V8 cars, 2024–2026 | −$194 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,418 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Lexus LC gives up 8 mpg in town: 24 on the highway against 16 in the city, $800 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 16 mpg | $2,400 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24 mpg | $1,600 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (50%) | 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. The 2026 model loses 5.5 mpg against 23.5 for the 2025, with 1 version instead of 2.
| 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 2026 Lexus LC get?
18 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2018 the LC has averaged 23.7 mpg.
Is the 2026 LC more efficient than the 2025?
No: 18 against 23.5 mpg combined, about $499 a year more to run.
Which LC year has the best gas mileage?
The 2020, at 24.5 mpg combined (21.5 city, 30 highway).
Does the LC get better gas mileage than the BMW M4?
No: 18 mpg for the 2026 LC against 19 for the 2027 BMW M4, about $112 a year more to run.
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