# Lexus IS specs and mpg by year - **Latest year:** 2026 - **MPG (combined):** 22 - **Drive:** AWD, RWD - **Years covered:** 2015-2026 ## Quick answer The 2026 Lexus IS is a compact car rated at 22 mpg combined. Engines: 3.5L V6. ## Every 2026 Lexus IS version | Version | Engine | Drive | Transmission | City/Hwy | Combined | Fuel cost / year | CO2 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | IS 350 | 3.5L V6 | RWD | Automatic | 19/27 | 22 mpg | $3,750 | 403 g/mi | | IS 350 AWD | 3.5L V6 | AWD | Automatic | 19/26 | 22 mpg | $3,750 | 408 g/mi | Each row is a version the EPA tested. Fuel cost assumes 15,000 miles a year (55% city) at national average prices; CO2 is tailpipe emissions. ## Lexus IS specs by year | Year | Engines | Transmission | Drive | MPG (combined) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026 | 3.5L V6 | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 22 | | 2025 | 3.5L V6; 5.0L V8; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 20-25 | | 2024 | 3.5L V6; 5.0L V8; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 20-25 | | 2023 | 3.5L V6; 5.0L V8; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 20-25 | | 2022 | 3.5L V6; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo; 5.0L V8 | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 20-25 | | 2021 | 3.5L V6; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 22-25 | | 2020 | 3.5L V6; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 21-24 | | 2019 | 3.5L V6; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 21-24 | | 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo; 3.5L V6 | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 22-26 | | 2017 | 3.5L V6; 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 21-26 | | 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo; 3.5L V6 | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 21-26 | | 2015 | 3.5L V6; 2.5L V6 | Automatic | AWD, RWD | 21-24 | EPA combined ratings. MPGe is the EPA efficiency measure for electric cars. Ranges cover every engine and drivetrain EPA tested for that year. ## How has the IS changed over the years? - **2026:** dropped 5.0L V8 and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo. - **2022:** added 5.0L V8. - **2021:** combined mpg went from 21-24 to 22-25. - **2019:** combined mpg went from 22-26 to 21-24. - **2018:** combined mpg went from 21-26 to 22-26. - **2016:** added 2.0L 4-cyl turbo; dropped 2.5L V6. ## What does it cost to run a IS? The EPA puts the 2026 Lexus IS's fuel cost at **$3,750 a year**, against about $2,069 for other current compact car: roughly 81% more. Over five years at 15,000 miles a year that is about $18,750 in fuel. ## IS vs rivals | Model | Powertrains | Fuel economy | Range | Fuel cost / year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Toyota Corolla](/vehicles/toyota-corolla) | Gas, Hybrid | 22-50 mpg | -- | $1,350-$3,750 | | [Volkswagen Jetta](/vehicles/volkswagen-jetta) | Gas | 33-34 mpg | -- | $1,950-$2,050 | | [Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class](/vehicles/mercedes-benz-cla-class) | Electric, Gas, Hybrid | 23-33 mpg | 374 mi | $600-$3,550 | | [BMW 3 Series](/vehicles/bmw-3-series) | Hybrid | 29-31 mpg | -- | $2,650-$2,850 | | [Mercedes-Benz C-Class](/vehicles/mercedes-benz-c-class) | Hybrid | 22-29 mpg | -- | $2,850-$3,750 | | [Volkswagen GLI](/vehicles/volkswagen-gli) | Gas | 29 mpg | -- | $2,300 | | [Cadillac CT4](/vehicles/cadillac-ct4) | Gas | 18-26 mpg | -- | $3,150-$4,550 | | [Genesis G70](/vehicles/genesis-g70) | Gas | 19-24 mpg | -- | $3,400-$4,350 | Other current compact car from other makes, most efficient first. ## Frequently asked questions ### What mpg does the 2026 Lexus IS get? The 2026 Lexus IS is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain. Real-world mileage varies with speed, climate and load. ### What engine does the 2026 Lexus IS have? The 2026 Lexus IS comes with: 3.5L V6. It uses automatic transmission and is offered with AWD and RWD. ### Is there a hybrid Lexus IS? No. In the EPA data from 2015-2026 the Lexus IS has no hybrid version. ### Which Lexus IS year gets the best gas mileage? In the EPA data, the 2018 Lexus IS has the highest combined rating, up to 26 mpg. Ratings for the same model can change between years when engines or test procedures change. ### How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Lexus IS for a year? About $3,750 a year, using the EPA's assumptions of 15,000 miles (55% city, 45% highway) at national average fuel prices. Your cost depends on your local prices, mileage and driving style. ### What is the city and highway mpg of the 2026 Lexus IS? The most efficient 2026 version, the IS 350, is rated 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (22 combined). Other engines and drivetrains are rated lower; the versions table above lists each one. ### How much CO2 does the 2026 Lexus IS emit? EPA rates its tailpipe CO2 at 403-408 grams per mile depending on version. Lower is better; the cleanest gas cars sit under 250 g/mi and electric cars have none at the tailpipe. ### Does the 2026 Lexus IS come with all-wheel drive? Yes. The 2026 Lexus IS is offered with AWD and RWD. All- or four-wheel drive usually costs 1-3 mpg compared with the two-wheel-drive version of the same engine, as the versions table shows. ### Is the Lexus IS cheap to run compared with other compact cars? No, dearer than average: its EPA annual fuel cost of $3,750 compares with about $2,069 for other current compact car models. Fuel is only part of running costs; insurance, tires and repairs also differ. ## Sources - [fueleconomy.gov (US DOE and EPA)](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/) ## All Lexus cars - [Lexus LC](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-lc) - [Lexus UX](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-ux) - [Lexus ES](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-es) - [Lexus LS](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-ls) ## More Lexus models - [Lexus GX](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-gx) - [Lexus LX](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-lx) - [Lexus NX](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-nx) - [Lexus RX](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-rx) - [Lexus RZ](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-rz) - [Lexus TX](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-tx) - [Lexus RC](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-rc): discontinued ## Other compact cars - [Mazda 2](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/mazda-2) - [Mazda CX-3](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/mazda-cx-3) - [Mercedes-Benz C-Class](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/mercedes-benz-c-class) - [Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/mercedes-benz-cla-class) - [Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/mercedes-benz-cls-class) - [Mitsubishi Mirage](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/mitsubishi-mirage) - [Nissan Versa](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/nissan-versa) ## Compared with - [Volkswagen GLI](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/volkswagen-gli) - [Volkswagen Jetta](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/volkswagen-jetta) ## Car care - [How long do tires last?](https://diagxcar.com/how-long/tires) - [How often to change oil](https://diagxcar.com/how-often/change-oil) - [Tire size calculator](https://diagxcar.com/tools/tire-size-calculator) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/lexus-is Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.