2024 Lexus ES 350 Fuel Economy: What to Expect

The 2024 Lexus ES 350 achieves 26 MPG combined. While it’s not the most fuel-efficient car on the road, the ES prioritizes a smooth, quiet, and comfortable driving experience, along with Lexus luxury. Buyers in this segment value refinement and reliability in addition to decent gas mileage, and the ES 350 delivers on those fronts.

City and highway performance

EPA estimates indicate 22 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. Stop-and-go traffic explains the lower city figure, as the 3.5-liter V6 engine works harder in those conditions. Lexus has tuned the engine and the 8-speed automatic transmission (S8) to optimize performance, even in city driving. On the highway, the ES 350’s long gearing and aerodynamic shape enable efficient cruising, and the 32 MPG highway rating is readily achievable. The V6 engine’s power means merging and passing are easy. The ES 350 consistently meets its highway MPG estimates.

Annual Fuel Cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2024 Lexus ES 350 at $1,700. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, using a national average fuel price. Individual costs will vary with local prices and driving habits, but this figure offers a baseline for understanding the ES 350’s running costs. The ES 350 typically uses regular unleaded fuel, which can save money compared to some competitors that require premium fuel.

Real-World Expectations

EPA estimates are a helpful benchmark, but actual fuel economy varies with driving styles and conditions. Aggressive acceleration, hard braking, and prolonged idling decrease MPG. The ES 350’s driving dynamics promote a smoother style, helping drivers get closer to the EPA estimates in real-world conditions, and owner feedback suggests that highway drives will often exceed the 32 MPG EPA estimate.

How It Compares

The Lexus ES 350’s fuel economy is competitive within its class. The Acura TLX, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, gets around 25 MPG combined. The BMW 530i, delivering a sportier drive, achieves about 27 MPG combined from its turbocharged four-cylinder. The Lincoln MKZ, another competitor, gets around 24 MPG combined with its 2.0-liter engine. The ES 350 often achieves better real-world highway MPG because its larger engine doesn’t need to work as hard to maintain speed. For those who strongly prioritize fuel economy, the ES 300h hybrid achieves much higher numbers than the ES 350, but offers less power. Anyone comparing all Lexus fuel economy data can see this distinction clearly. See ES MPG across all years as well.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency

Gentle acceleration and braking are important for maximizing fuel economy in any vehicle. The ES 350’s smooth throttle response and predictable brakes make smooth driving easier. Anticipate traffic flow to avoid unnecessary stops.

Maintain proper tire inflation, usually around 33-35 PSI, to reduce rolling resistance. Check tire pressure regularly, especially as the temperature changes. The ES 350 has a tire pressure monitoring system to help with this.

Reduce unnecessary weight in the vehicle. Excess cargo adds strain to the engine, decreasing fuel economy. Remove items you don’t need from the trunk and back seat.

Use cruise control on the highway. Maintaining a consistent speed minimizes variations in engine load and saves fuel. The ES 350’s adaptive cruise control system improves efficiency by automatically adjusting speed to maintain a set distance from other cars.