The Lexus RC does 22.2 mpg combined (18.9 city, 27.8 highway), which works out to about $1,730 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 5L 8-cyl does 19 — a difference of $491 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Lexus RC engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Lexus RC ranges from 25.1 down to 19 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $491 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 21.3 / 31.1 | 2016–2025 | $1,530 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 19.7 / 28 | 2015–2025 | $1,692 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 16 / 24.5 | 2015–2025 | $2,021 |
What that actually costs
The Lexus RC burns a gallon every 22.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 541 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.144 |
| Fuel per year | $1,730 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,650 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$655 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,519 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lexus RC gives up 8.9 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.8 out there against 18.9 in town, a 47% drop worth $651 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 | 18.9 mpg | $2,032 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.8 mpg | $1,381 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.9 mpg (47%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the RC changed over the years
The RC peaked in 2018 at 22.7 mpg (19.3 city, 28.3 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2015 at 20.5 — 2.2 mpg apart, or $181 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2025 car does 22.3. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,722 | |
| 2024 | 19 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,722 | |
| 2023 | 19 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,722 | |
| 2022 | 19 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,722 | |
| 2021 | 19 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,722 | |
| 2020 | 19 / 27.3 | 3 | $1,745 | |
| 2019 | 19 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,745 | |
| 2018 | 19.3 / 28.3 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2017 | 19 / 28.3 | 3 | $1,722 | |
| 2016 | 19 / 28.3 | 3 | $1,722 | |
| 2015 | 17.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,873 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 32 EPA ratings of the Lexus RC — 3 engines across 2015–2025. 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 $3,519. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lexus RC get?
22.2 mpg combined on average — 18.9 in the city and 27.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2015–2025.
How much does a Lexus RC cost in fuel per year?
About $1,730 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,650 over five years, or 0.144 dollars a mile.
Which RC engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 25.1 mpg, against 19 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $491 a year.
Is the RC 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 RC 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 RC is $3,519 against the $1,730 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 26 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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