Lexus NX MPG — Gas Mileage by Engine and Year

Quick answer

Against 381 other 4-cyl cars rated 2024–2026, the NX beats their 26.3 mpg average by 5.7 mpg, about $260 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2015, the 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid (2019–2026), does 36.1 mpg and the thirstiest, the 2.4L 4-cyl (2026), 24: $536 a year apart.

Every Lexus NX engine, compared

Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.01·Lexus NX gas mileage by engine
Engine	Combined	City / Highway	Years	Fuel per year
2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid	36.1	38.1 / 34.5	2019–2026	$1,064
2.5L 4-cyl	32.8	34.3 / 31.5	2015–2025	$1,171
2L 4-cyl	25	22 / 28	2019–2021	$1,536
2.4L 4-cyl	24	21 / 28	2026–2026	$1,600

ROWS 4·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

Is the hybrid worth it? In our listings for 2020–2024 model years, a hybrid NX asks a median $3,495 more than a gas one of the same year. At 33.7 against 28.7 mpg it saves about $199 a year in fuel, so on fuel alone the extra does not pay back within 15 years. Hybrids make up 17% of the gas and hybrid NX listings we track from the last ten model years.

What that actually costs

Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota RAV4 gets 37.5 mpg, the Jeep Wrangler 18.8 mpg and the Mazda CX-5 27 mpg, next to 32 mpg for the 2026 NX.

FIG.02·Lexus NX fuel cost
Measure	Value
Cost per mile (2026)	$0.100
Fuel per year	$1,200
Fuel over five years	$6,000
Against other 4-cyl cars, 2024–2026	−$260 a year
EPA's own estimate	$2,250 a year

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

City or highway — who is this car for

The 2026 Lexus NX gives up 1.5 mpg in town: 33 on the highway against 31.5 in the city, $55 a year if every mile were city driving.

FIG.03·Lexus NX city versus highway
Measure	Value	Reading
City (2026)	31.5 mpg	$1,219 a year if you only drive in town
Highway	33 mpg	$1,164 a year if you mostly commute
Gap	+1.5 mpg (5%)	Narrow — equally happy either way

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

How the NX changed over the years

The NX peaked in 2024 at 37.5 mpg (39.5 city, 35 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2021 at 28 — 9.5 mpg apart, or $347 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 32. The biggest single-year change came in 2022: 28 to 37.5 mpg.

FIG.04·Lexus NX gas mileage by model year
Model year	Combined	City / Highway	Engines offered	Fuel per year
2026	32	31.5 / 33	2	$1,200
2025	33.5	33.5 / 35	2	$1,146
2024	37.5	39.5 / 35	2	$1,024
2023	37.5	39.5 / 35	2	$1,024
2022	37.5	39.5 / 35	2	$1,024
2021	28	27.5 / 29	2	$1,371
2020	28	27.5 / 29	2	$1,371
2019	28	27.5 / 29	2	$1,371
2018	31	33 / 30	1	$1,239
2017	31	33 / 30	1	$1,239
2016	32	34 / 30	1	$1,200
2015	32	34 / 30	1	$1,200

ROWS 12·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

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How we count

This page rests on 20 EPA ratings of the Lexus NX — 4 engines across 2015–2026. 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 $2,250. Full method.

Everything on the Lexus NX

Recalls33 campaigns Reliability4.0/5 Common problems16 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build Used prices896 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car2015–2026

Frequently asked questions

What mpg does the 2026 Lexus NX get?

32 mpg combined, 31.5 city and 33 highway, per EPA; its 2 versions that year range from 24 to 40. Across every year since 2015 the NX has averaged 32.5 mpg.

Is the 2026 NX more efficient than the 2025?

No: 32 against 33.5 mpg combined, about $54 a year more to run.

Which NX year has the best gas mileage?

The 2024, at 37.5 mpg combined (39.5 city, 35 highway).

Does the NX get better gas mileage than the Toyota RAV4?

No: 32 mpg for the 2026 NX against 37.5 for the 2026 Toyota RAV4, about $176 a year more to run.

Is the NX hybrid worth the extra cost?

In our listings a hybrid asks a median $3,495 more than a gas NX of the same year and saves about $199 a year in fuel, so on fuel alone it does not pay back within 15 years.

Gas mileage ratings from EPA fueleconomy.gov, unadjusted. Running cost computed by ForCar at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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