Against 381 other 4-cyl cars rated 2024–2026, the RX beats their 26.3 mpg average by 4.2 mpg, about $201 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1999, the 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid (2023–2026), does 36 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3L 6-cyl (1999–2003), 18.4: $1,020 a year apart.
Every Lexus RX engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 37 / 34 | 2023–2026 | $1,067 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl Hybrid | 31.2 / 28 | 2010–2022 | $1,280 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl Hybrid | 27.7 / 24.7 | 2006–2008 | $1,477 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 25 / 26.8 | 2007–2022 | $1,506 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 22 / 29 | 2023–2026 | $1,536 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 17 / 23.3 | 2004–2006 | $1,920 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17 / 21.4 | 1999–2003 | $2,087 |
Is the hybrid worth it? In our listings for 2018–2024 model years, a hybrid RX asks a median $1,495 more than a gas one of the same year. At 33 against 25.2 mpg it saves about $360 a year in fuel, so the extra pays back in about 4.2 years. Hybrids make up 15% of the gas and hybrid RX 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 Honda CR-V 35 mpg, next to 30.5 mpg for the 2026 RX.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.105 |
| Fuel per year | $1,259 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,295 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2024–2026 | −$201 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,900 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Lexus RX gives up 2 mpg in town: 31.5 on the highway against 29.5 in the city, $83 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 29.5 mpg | $1,302 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.5 mpg | $1,219 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +2 mpg (7%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the RX changed over the years
The RX peaked in 2026 at 30.5 mpg (29.5 city, 31.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2003 at 18 — 12.5 mpg apart, or $874 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2023: 26.5 to 30.5 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29.5 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,259 | |
| 2025 | 29.5 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,259 | |
| 2024 | 29.5 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,259 | |
| 2023 | 29.5 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,259 | |
| 2022 | 25.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2021 | 25.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2020 | 25.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2019 | 25.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2018 | 31 / 28 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2017 | 31 / 28 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2016 | 31 / 30 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2015 | 31 / 28 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2014 | 31 / 28 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2013 | 31 / 28 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2012 | 31 / 28 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2011 | 31 / 28 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2010 | 25 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,506 | |
| 2009 | 18 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2008 | 22.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2007 | 23 / 24 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2006 | 22.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2005 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2004 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2003 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2001 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2000 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1999 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 40 EPA ratings of the Lexus RX — 7 engines across 1999–2026. 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 $2,900. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Lexus RX get?
30.5 mpg combined, 29.5 city and 31.5 highway, per EPA; its 2 versions that year range from 25 to 36. Across every year since 1999 the RX has averaged 25.8 mpg.
Is the 2026 RX more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 30.5 against 30.5 mpg combined.
Which RX year has the best gas mileage?
The 2026, at 30.5 mpg combined (29.5 city, 31.5 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the RX get better gas mileage than the Toyota RAV4?
No: 30.5 mpg for the 2026 RX against 37.5 for the 2026 Toyota RAV4, about $235 a year more to run.
Is the RX hybrid worth the extra cost?
In our listings a hybrid asks a median $1,495 more than a gas RX of the same year and saves about $360 a year in fuel, so it pays back in about 4.2 years.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.