Midsize cars · Gasoline · model year 2026
Lexus LS vs Mazda 3
For model year 2026, the Mazda 3 gets 30 MPG combined and the Lexus LS 21: a 9 MPG lead, or 43% on the lower figure.
Side by side
| Measure | Lexus LS | Mazda 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Combined fuel economy (best version) | 21 MPG | 30 MPG |
| City | 17 MPG | 27 MPG |
| Highway | 27 MPG | 36 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,900 | $2,250 |
| Tailpipe CO2 | 434 g/mile | 294 g/mile |
| Lowest rated version | 21 MPG | 26 MPG |
| Rated versions | 1 | 7 |
| Rank in class (best combined rating) | 28th of 31 | 15th of 31 |
| Class | Midsize cars | Midsize cars |
| Powertrain | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Better figure in bold; each model's most efficient version.
Fuel economy and cost
The two use different fuels (premium gasoline and regular gasoline), so the price per unit differs. Under the file's assumptions the Mazda 3 costs about $2,250 a year and the Lexus LS about $3,900, a difference of $1,650.
Where each one ranks
Within their class the Lexus LS is 28th of 31 midsize cars, in the bottom quarter. The Mazda 3 is tied for 15th of 31 midsize cars, in the upper half.
The Lexus LS has 1 rated version, from 21 to 21 MPG. The Mazda 3 has 7, from 26 to 30 MPG. For the most efficient versions, the Lexus LS is rated 10 higher on the highway (27 against 17), while the Mazda 3 is rated 9 higher on the highway (36 against 27).
The two versions closest in rating are LS 500 AWD: 3.4 L, 6 cyl, Automatic (S10), AWD at 21 MPG and 3 5-Door 4WD: 2.5 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S6), 4WD (version 2) at 26, 5 MPG apart.
Ratings by model year
Both models are in the data for 8 model years, 2019 to 2026. The Lexus LS has the higher best rating in 0 of them and the Mazda 3 in 8. The widest gap, 9 MPG, was in 2026, when the Mazda 3 led.
| Model year | Lexus LS | Mazda 3 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | 30 | -9 |
| 2025 | 22 | 31 | -9 |
| 2024 | 22 | 31 | -9 |
| 2023 | 22 | 31 | -9 |
| 2022 | 22 | 31 | -9 |
| 2021 | 22 | 31 | -9 |
| 2020 | 23 | 30 | -7 |
| 2019 | 23 | 30 | -7 |