Lexus RC MPG by Year
Here's the official EPA Lexus RC MPG for every model year from 2015 to 2025.
RC MPG by Year and Version
The EPA has rated 50 configurations of the RC. Pick a year to see each engine and drivetrain.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC 300Premium Gasoline | 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto (S8) | RWD | 21 | 31 | 25 | View |
| RC 350Premium Gasoline | 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto (S8) | RWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | View |
| RC 300 AWDPremium Gasoline | 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | AWD | 19 | 26 | 22 | View |
| RC 350 AWDPremium Gasoline | 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | AWD | 19 | 26 | 22 | View |
| RC FPremium Gasoline | 5.0L 8-cyl | Auto (S8) | RWD | 16 | 24 | 19 | View |
RC MPG Over the Years
Each bar shows the range of combined MPG across every RC configuration the EPA rated that year, from the thirstiest version to the most efficient. Hover or tap a year to see the numbers.
Years When RC Fuel Economy Changed
The RC's ratings stay flat for long stretches. These are the model years where something changed enough to matter when you're comparing used ones.
- 2016: The top combined rating rises to 26 MPG, up from 22 MPG the year before.
How the RC Compares
The EPA rated 19 subcompact cars for 2025. The best RC version, at 25 MPG combined, ranks 10th of 19. Combined ratings in the class run from 17 to 32 MPG, with a median of 25. Plug-in hybrids and electric models are ranked separately.
| Rank | Model | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MINI Cooper | 32 MPG |
| 2 | BMW 4 Series | 31 MPG |
| 3 | BMW 2 Series | 30 MPG |
| 3 | MINI John Cooper Works | 30 MPG |
| 5 | Lexus LC | 29 MPG |
| 10 | Lexus RC | 25 MPG |
What Does a RC Cost to Fuel?
Pick a RC, then enter your gas price and how much you drive. The math uses the EPA city and highway ratings, weighted by how much of your driving happens in each.
RC MPG Questions
Which RC year gets the best gas mileage?
The 2016 and 2017 RC 200t holds the top EPA rating at 26 MPG combined (22 city, 32 highway). Among 2025 models, the RC 300 is rated at 25 MPG combined.
Does all-wheel drive hurt RC fuel economy?
Yes, noticeably. On the 2025 RC, the best rear-wheel drive version is rated at 25 MPG combined and the best all-wheel drive version at 22 MPG.
Why doesn't my RC match the EPA numbers?
EPA ratings come from standardized lab tests so every car is measured the same way. Your results depend on speed, climate, idling, cargo, tire pressure and upkeep. The ratings are best for comparing one car against another. To track your own numbers, try the MPG calculator.
Keep Going
Where These Numbers Come From
Cedrick Reese built this page from the EPA fuel economy file published on fueleconomy.gov. It has 50 ratings for the RC from 2015 to 2025, and every one of them is shown in the table. Each row in the table links to the matching EPA vehicle record, so you can check any figure against the source. The page is rebuilt whenever the EPA publishes an updated file, which picks up new model years and any rating corrections. The cost calculator uses the gas price you enter rather than a national average, so the result fits where you live.
Ratings on this page come from the EPA file downloaded on October 1, 2026.
Sources
- Download Fuel Economy Data, fueleconomy.gov, U.S. DOE and EPA
- Factors that affect fuel economy, fueleconomy.gov