Gallonly
2002 Lexus SC 430 (Z40)
Shown: 2002 Lexus SC 430 (Z40). Photo: Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Newest year: 2010
  • Gas
  • Small cars
  • Same as 2009

2002-2010 Lexus SC MPG & Fuel Cost

9 model years · 18–19 MPG combined

19 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
City
23 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost · 430 4.3L 8-cyl RWD
$4,230

15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)

Cheaper to fuel than 2 of 10 small car configurations, MY2010. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.

Previous generation: 2000

2002-2010 Lexus SC at a glance

The 2002-2010 Lexus SC covers 9 model years in the EPA database (9 configurations in all), rated 18–19 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2010, costs about $4,230 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the 430 4.3L 8-cyl RWD (19 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007; 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 19 MPG, was reached in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

2002-2010 Lexus SC by model year

2002-2010 Lexus SC: EPA combined rating and yearly fuel cost for each model year
Model yearPowertrainsCombined$/yrEPA ratings
2010 Gas 19 MPG $4,230 Same EPA ratings as 2009
2009 Gas 19 MPG $4,230 Same EPA ratings as 2008
2008 Gas 19 MPG $4,230 Same EPA ratings as 2007
2007 Gas 19 MPG $4,230 Ratings changed
2006 Gas 19 MPG $4,230 Ratings changed
2005 Gas 18 MPG $4,460 Same EPA ratings as 2004
2004 Gas 18 MPG $4,460 Ratings changed
2003 Gas 18 MPG $4,460 Ratings changed
2002 Gas 18 MPG $4,460 First year

What the 2010 430 4.3L 8-cyl RWD costs to drive

Per month

$353

$4,230 a year ÷ 12

Per 25 miles

$7.05

Per 100 miles

$28.20

Five years

$21,150

5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level

vs the small car median

$960more a year

Class median $3,270 a year, MY2010

Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2010 Lexus SC MPG

EPA lists the same ratings for the 2010 Lexus SC as for the 2009 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2009 section above.See 2009

Gas · 4.3L
Combined
19 MPG
Per year
$4,230

Gas configurations (1)

2010 Lexus SC gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
430 (Most efficient) 4.3L 8-cyl RWD 16 23 19 $4,230

1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2009 Lexus SC MPG

Same EPA ratings as 2008

EPA lists the same ratings for the 2009 Lexus SC as for the 2008 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2008 section above.See 2008

2008 Lexus SC MPG

Same EPA ratings as 2007

EPA lists the same ratings for the 2008 Lexus SC as for the 2007 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2007 section above.See 2007

2007 Lexus SC MPG

19 MPG · $4,230/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2006: The most efficient configuration stays at 19 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,230.

Gas · 4.3L
Combined
19 MPG
Per year
$4,230

Gas configurations (1)

2007 Lexus SC gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
430 (Most efficient) 4.3L 8-cyl RWD 16 23 19 $4,230

1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2006 Lexus SC MPG

19 MPG · $4,230/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2005: 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 · 4.3L
Combined
19 MPG
Per year
$4,230

Gas configurations (1)

2006 Lexus SC gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
430 (Most efficient) 4.3L 8-cyl RWD 17 23 19 $4,230

1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2005 Lexus SC MPG

Same EPA ratings as 2004

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 2005 Lexus SC as for the 2004 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2004 section above.See 2004

2004 Lexus SC 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 2003: The most efficient configuration stays at 18 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,460.

Gas · 4.3L
Combined
18 MPG
Per year
$4,460

Gas configurations (1)

2004 Lexus SC gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
430 (Most efficient) 4.3L 8-cyl RWD 16 22 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).

2003 Lexus SC 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 stays at 18 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,460.

Gas · 4.3L
Combined
18 MPG
Per year
$4,460

Gas configurations (1)

2003 Lexus SC gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
300/SC 430 (Most efficient) 4.3L 8-cyl RWD 16 22 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).

2002 Lexus SC 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 · 4.3L
Combined
18 MPG
Per year
$4,460

Gas configurations (1)

2002 Lexus SC gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
300/SC 430 (Most efficient) 4.3L 8-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 430 4.3L 8-cyl RWD: $5,040 in California and $3,670 in Texas, a $1,370 difference.

Gasoline prices: California: California state average; Washington: Washington state average; New York: New York state average; Florida: Florida state average; Texas: Texas state average (Sep 2026).
Fuel cost in every state

Similar cars

Closest combined MPG among MY2010 small car models.

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city / 45% highway · How we calculate

Generations

Frequently asked questions

What gas mileage does the 2002-2010 Lexus SC get?

EPA rates the 2002-2010 Lexus SC at 18–19 MPG combined across 9 configurations and 9 model years. The most efficient version, the 2010 430 4.3L 8-cyl RWD, is rated 19 MPG (16 city, 23 highway).

Which years had the best MPG in the 2002-2010 Lexus SC?

The 430 4.3L 8-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 19 MPG, in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The lowest top rating, 18 MPG, was in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Did EPA ratings change during the 2002-2010 Lexus SC?

Yes. Ratings changed in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007. In 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 the values repeat the year before.

How does the 2002-2010 Lexus SC compare with the previous generation?

The previous generation (2000 Lexus SC) is rated 19 MPG combined and costs $4,230 a year to fuel; the 2002-2010 model is rated 18–19 MPG and costs $4,230–$4,460 a year.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Lexus SC per year?

Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the 430 4.3L 8-cyl RWD costs about $4,230 a year. Across all 1 configuration the cost runs $4,230 a year.

How much does it cost to drive a 2010 Lexus SC 100 miles?

About $28.20 per 100 miles for the 430 4.3L 8-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 2010 Lexus SC more efficient in the city or on the highway?

The 430 4.3L 8-cyl RWD is rated 16 city and 23 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.

How does the 2010 Lexus SC compare with other small car configurations?

The 430 4.3L 8-cyl RWD costs about $4,230 a year to fuel, $960 more than the class median of $3,270, and less than 2 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 338 rated small car configurations for MY2010, not weighted by sales.

Is the 2010 Lexus SC different from the 2009 model?

No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2009 and 2010: 1 configuration rated 19 MPG combined. See the 2009 Lexus SC for that year.