How many km per liter is a Lexus IS500?
The Lexus IS 500 is the high-performance variant of the IS lineup, powered by a 5.0-liter V8. Its official fuel economy is published by the EPA, and those figures translate into kilometers per liter for metric readers. Here’s what to know about how far it goes on a liter of fuel, in both miles and kilometers.
What is the Lexus IS 500?
The IS 500 carries Lexus’s expressive V8 heart in a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan package. It produces around 472 horsepower and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The focus is on performance—strong acceleration and a sporty driving feel—but that emphasis typically comes with higher fuel consumption than the IS 300/IS 350 trims.
Fuel economy: EPA numbers and kilometers per liter
Official fuel economy figures from the EPA provide a baseline for comparing the IS 500 with other cars. For the 2021–2023 IS 500, the typical EPA ratings are:
EPA ratings
- City: 16 mpg
- Highway: 24 mpg
- Combined: 19 mpg
Converted to metric units, these figures translate to roughly:
City about 6.8 km/L, Highway about 10.2 km/L, Combined about 8.1 km/L. Actual results will vary with driving style, tire size, and conditions.
Real-world mpg and what affects it
In everyday driving, the IS 500’s fuel economy can deviate from EPA numbers due to several factors. The following conditions commonly influence your km/L:
- Driving style: aggressive acceleration and high-speed driving reduce efficiency.
- Tire size and pressure: wider or underinflated tires increase rolling resistance.
- Load and aerodynamics: carrying payload or using roof racks lowers mpg.
- Weather and temperature: cold starts, climate control use, and headwinds impact consumption.
- Maintenance and model year: engine tune, spark timing, and overall wear can shift mpg a bit.
In real-world conditions, combined fuel economy for the IS 500 typically lands in the high teens, with city mpg closer to the mid-teens and highway mpg often near the low-to-mid 20s MPG equivalent, depending on how you drive and under what conditions. In kilometers per liter, that generally translates to roughly 7.5–9.0 km/L on average, with highway efficiency sometimes edging above 10 km/L under favorable conditions.
Summary
The Lexus IS 500 delivers performance alongside EPA-estimated fuel economy of about 16/24/19 mpg (city/highway/combined), or roughly 6.8/10.2/8.1 km/L. Real-world numbers vary with driving style, weather, and equipment. For buyers prioritizing efficiency, this model trades some mpg for its high-performance V8 character; for enthusiasts, the IS 500 offers compelling acceleration and a distinct driving experience.
