- Newest year: 2005
- Gas
- Small cars
2001-2005 Lexus IS MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 18–19 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 1 of 10 small car configurations, MY2005. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2001-2005 Lexus IS at a glance
The 2001-2005 Lexus IS covers 5 model years in the EPA database (9 configurations in all), rated 18–19 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2005, costs about $4,460 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD (18 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2002, 2003 and 2005; 2004 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 19 MPG, was reached in 2002.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2001-2005 Lexus IS by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Gas | 18 MPG | $4,460 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 18 MPG | $4,460 | Same EPA ratings as 2003 |
| 2003 | Gas | 18 MPG | $4,460 | Ratings changed |
| 2002 | Gas | 18–19 MPG | $4,230–$4,460 | Ratings changed |
| 2001 | Gas | 18 MPG | $4,460 | First year |
What the 2005 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$372
$4,460 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$7.43
Per 100 miles
$29.73
Five years
$22,300
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$810more a year
Class median $3,650 a year, MY2005
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 Lexus IS MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 18 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,460.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,460 |
| 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD Automatic (S5) | 3.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2004 Lexus IS MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2003
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2004 Lexus IS as for the 2003 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2003 section above.See 2003
2003 Lexus IS MPG
18 MPG · $4,460/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration moves from 19 to 18 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,230 to $4,460, $230 more.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,460 |
| 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD Automatic (S5) | 3.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2002 Lexus IS MPG
18–19 MPG · $4,230–$4,460/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration moves from 18 to 19 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,460 to $4,230, $230 less.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,230 |
| 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD Automatic (S5) | 3.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2001 Lexus IS MPG
18 MPG · $4,460/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl | RWD | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,460 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD: $5,320 in California and $3,870 in Texas, a $1,450 difference.
- California $5,320
- Washington $5,010
- New York $4,410
- Florida $4,080
- Texas $3,870
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2005 small car models.
Generations
- 2001-2005 (XE10)
- 2006-2013 (XE20)
- 2014-2026 (XE30)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2001-2005 Lexus IS get?
EPA rates the 2001-2005 Lexus IS at 18–19 MPG combined across 9 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2002 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 19 MPG (16 city, 23 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2001-2005 Lexus IS?
The 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 19 MPG, in 2002. The lowest top rating, 18 MPG, was in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2001-2005 Lexus IS?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2002, 2003 and 2005. In 2004 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Lexus IS per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,460 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $4,460 a year.
How much does it cost to drive a 2005 Lexus IS 100 miles?
About $29.73 per 100 miles for the 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2005 Lexus IS more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD is rated 16 city and 23 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.
How does the 2005 Lexus IS compare with other small car configurations?
The 300 3.0L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,460 a year to fuel, $810 more than the class median of $3,650, and less than 1 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 370 rated small car configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2005 Lexus IS different from the 2004 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 18 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,460. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2005 against 2 configurations for 2004. See the 2004 Lexus IS for that year.