Lexus SC MPG — Gas Mileage by Engine and Year

Quick answer

Against 362 other V8 cars rated 2008–2010, the SC beats their 15.9 mpg average by 3.1 mpg, about $394 a year.

Every Lexus SC engine, compared

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

FIG.01·Lexus SC gas mileage by engine
Engine	Combined	City / Highway	Years	Fuel per year
3L 6-cyl	18.6	16.6 / 21.6	1992–2000	$2,065
4.3L 8-cyl	18.6	16.1 / 22.4	2002–2010	$2,065
4L 8-cyl	18.3	16.1 / 21.8	1992–2000	$2,098

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

What that actually costs

Against its rivals in the same model years, the Honda Civic gets 35.3 mpg, the Audi A3 27.3 mpg and the BMW M6 13 mpg, next to 19 mpg for the 2010 SC.

FIG.02·Lexus SC fuel cost
Measure	Value
Cost per mile (2010)	$0.168
Fuel per year	$2,021
Fuel over five years	$10,105
Against other V8 cars, 2008–2010	−$394 a year
EPA's own estimate	$4,200 a year

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

City or highway — who is this car for

The 2010 Lexus SC gives up 7 mpg in town: 23 on the highway against 16 in the city, $730 a year if every mile were city driving.

FIG.03·Lexus SC city versus highway
Measure	Value	Reading
City (2010)	16 mpg	$2,400 a year if you only drive in town
Highway	23 mpg	$1,670 a year if you mostly commute
Gap	+7 mpg (44%)	Wide — this car dislikes traffic

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

How the SC changed over the years

The SC peaked in 2010 at 19 mpg (16 city, 23 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 18 — 1 mpg apart, or $112 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.

FIG.04·Lexus SC gas mileage by model year
Model year	Combined	City / Highway	Engines offered	Fuel per year
2010	19	16 / 23	1	$2,021
2009	19	16 / 23	1	$2,021
2008	19	16 / 23	1	$2,021
2007	19	16 / 23	1	$2,021
2006	19	17 / 23	1	$2,021
2005	18	16 / 22	1	$2,133
2004	18	16 / 22	1	$2,133
2003	18	16 / 22	1	$2,133
2002	18	16 / 21	1	$2,133
2000	19	16.5 / 22.5	2	$2,021
1999	19	16.5 / 22.5	2	$2,021
1998	19	17 / 22.5	2	$2,021
1997	18.5	16.5 / 21.5	2	$2,076
1996	18.5	16.5 / 22	2	$2,076
1995	18	16 / 21	2	$2,133
1994	18	16 / 21.5	2	$2,133
1993	18	16 / 21.5	2	$2,133
1992	18	16 / 20	2	$2,133

ROWS 18·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

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How we count

This page rests on 27 EPA ratings of the Lexus SC — 3 engines across 1992–2010. 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 $4,200. Full method.

Everything on the Lexus SC

Recalls34 campaigns Cargo space9 cu ft Used prices614 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car1992–2026

Frequently asked questions

What mpg does the 2010 Lexus SC get?

19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1992 the SC has averaged 18.5 mpg.

Is the 2010 SC more efficient than the 2009?

About the same: 19 against 19 mpg combined.

Which SC year has the best gas mileage?

The 2010, at 19 mpg combined (16 city, 23 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.

Does the SC get better gas mileage than the Honda Civic?

No: 19 mpg for the 2010 SC against 35.3 for the 2011 Honda Civic, about $933 a year more to run.

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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