Photo: Lexus LC by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. It shows the model, not always this exact version.
Lexus · model year 2026
2026 Lexus LC 500
Subcompact · Rear-Wheel Drive · Gas · EPA class: Subcompact Cars
Where it places
Against fuel-efficient cars
The CarCody take
The 2026 Lexus LC 500 is a gasoline-powered subcompact car with rear-wheel drive, a 5.0-liter eight-cylinder engine, and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Its EPA rating is 18 MPG combined, with 16 MPG in city driving and 24 MPG on the highway. EPA annual fuel cost is $4,550, and tailpipe CO2 is 481 grams per mile.
Good to know
- Rear-wheel-drive layout.
- 5.0-liter eight-cylinder gasoline engine.
- 24 MPG highway EPA rating.
- Automatic 10-speed transmission.
Watch for
- 16 MPG city EPA rating.
- 18 MPG combined EPA rating.
- EPA annual fuel cost is $4,550.
- Tailpipe CO2 is 481 grams per mile.
Who it suits. Drivers wanting a rear-wheel-drive Lexus car. Highway users who can work with 24 MPG. Buyers comfortable with a $4,550 annual fuel estimate.
The 2026 Lexus LC 500 makes a clear trade: a rear-wheel-drive gasoline car with a 5.0-liter V8 and automatic transmission, paired with an 18 MPG combined rating. City driving is rated at 16 MPG, while highway driving reaches 24 MPG. The EPA annual fuel estimate is $4,550, and emissions are 481 grams of CO2 per mile. It fits buyers who specifically want this drivetrain and can plan around its fuel demand. If fuel cost is the first filter, the numbers point elsewhere.
What it is
The LC 500 is Lexus’s 2026 subcompact car. It uses gasoline, rear-wheel drive, a 5.0-liter eight-cylinder engine, and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The numbers
Its combined EPA rating is 18 MPG. The split is 16 MPG in city driving and 24 MPG on the highway. Those figures give you a simple way to gauge the effect of stop-and-go streets versus steady-speed trips.
What it costs to run
EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,550. Tailpipe emissions are listed at 481 grams of CO2 per mile.
How it compares
Use 18 combined MPG as the LC 500’s main line when comparing it with other cars. Its 16 city and 24 highway ratings show how the car’s fuel use changes with the type of driving. You can browse other Lexus cars and fuel figures in the same terms.
Who it suits
This car suits a driver who wants a gasoline Lexus with rear-wheel drive and accepts the fuel budget that comes with 18 MPG combined. The 24 MPG highway figure is more useful for frequent longer trips than the 16 MPG city rating.
Trade-offs
The 5.0-liter eight-cylinder engine and rear-wheel-drive layout define the LC 500’s setup. The cost side is clear: 16 MPG in the city, 18 combined, a $4,550 annual fuel estimate, and 481 grams of CO2 per mile.
Verdict
Choose the LC 500 if its rear-drive layout and eight-cylinder gasoline powertrain matter more to you than fuel spending. Its EPA figures are easy to understand: 18 MPG overall, with a meaningful difference between city and highway use. Budget $4,550 a year for fuel under the EPA estimate. This is a focused choice for someone comfortable with those running numbers, rather than a car selected to minimize gasoline use.
Every figure on record
- Combined MPG
- 18 MPG
- City MPG
- 16 MPG
- Highway MPG
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $4,550
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 481 g per mile
- Model year
- 2026
- Body
- Car
- EPA size class
- Subcompact Cars
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Engine
- 5.0 L 8-cyl
- Transmission
- Automatic (S10)
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Questions
What is the 2026 Lexus LC 500’s combined MPG?
The EPA combined rating is 18 MPG.
What city and highway MPG does the LC 500 get?
It is rated at 16 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.
How much does the LC 500 cost to fuel each year?
The EPA annual fuel-cost estimate is $4,550.
What engine and transmission does it use?
It has a 5.0-liter eight-cylinder gasoline engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Is the 2026 LC 500 front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive?
The LC 500 uses rear-wheel drive.
What is its tailpipe CO2 figure?
The listed tailpipe output is 481 grams of CO2 per mile.
What kind of car is the LC 500?
It is a 2026 Lexus car in the EPA subcompact-car class. See more [[list:lexus-cars|Lexus cars]].
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