Which Lexus SUV has the best gas mileage?
The Lexus UX 250h hybrid has the best gas mileage in the current Lexus SUV lineup, with EPA estimates around 40 mpg combined depending on configuration. This article compares the lineup to show how other Lexus SUVs stack up and what to consider when shopping for efficiency.
How fuel economy stacks up across the Lexus SUV lineup
Fuel efficiency in Lexus SUVs depends mainly on powertrain choices (hybrid versus gasoline), drivetrain (front- or all-wheel drive), and, for plug-in hybrids, the electric range used in daily driving. In general, compact hybrids offer the strongest mpg, while larger models with gasoline engines trail behind. Plug-in hybrids can deliver very high MPGe when charged and run on electric power, but their gasoline-only mileage varies with electric usage.
Below is a quick ranking of the current lineup based on EPA estimates for gasoline operation and overall efficiency, starting with the most efficient.
- UX 250h — a compact hybrid crossover that leads the pack in fuel economy among Lexus SUVs.
- NX 350h — a hybrid with strong efficiency, typically in the upper-30s combined.
- RX 450h — a midsize hybrid that sits in the low- to mid-30s combined.
- NX 450h+ — a plug-in hybrid with high MPGe when charged; gasoline mpg is typically lower than the UX 250h when it isn’t operating in electric mode.
Note: Plug-in hybrids like the NX 450h+ can achieve impressive MPGe with electric power, but if you’re evaluating purely gasoline-only mileage, the UX 250h remains the leader in the Lexus SUV family.
What this means for shoppers
If your main priority is maximizing miles per gallon with gasoline power, the UX 250h is your best bet within Lexus’s SUV range. For buyers who want the option of electric driving on shorter trips, the NX 450h+ offers substantial MPGe and an all-electric range, though its gasoline-only mpg won’t surpass the UX 250h in typical driving. The NX 350h and RX 450h provide solid efficiency for their size but don’t reach the UX 250h’s efficiency profile.
Summary
Across Lexus’s SUV lineup, the UX 250h hybrid stands out as the most fuel-efficient option when measured by gasoline mpg. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants offer varying degrees of efficiency, with plug-in hybrids delivering high MPGe when their electric range is utilized. Prospective buyers should weigh daily driving habits, the value of electric range, and EPA ratings for the exact model year to determine the best fit for fuel economy.
