Only 22-23 miles per gallon on the highway, 2017 Lexus NX 200 Turbo (non-hybrid). Lexus window sticker says 27 mpg highway. My figures are based on 2600 miles of highway driving between Ann Arbor and Houston. Conditions were good, cruise control much of the time, ECO mode all the way back. I know "actual mileage may vary", but by almost 20%?!

Anyone else experiencing disappointing MPG?

 

2016 NX 200t.

I have not done the accurate test where you fill the tank, drive X miles then fill the tank again to determine number of gallons used (miles/gallons).

However, I did make a 60 mile trip all highway and the display averaged about 31MPG.

It looks like overall I average about 22-25 MPG mixed driving according to digital read out. I am not sure how accurate it is.

There is a sticky that shows a lot of folks chiming in on their own fuel economy stats. Depending on location and driving habits, results seem to vary quite a bit.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/nx-...my-thread.html

 

Best I get is 22 highway. 100% city driving is around 17 for constant short trips. My highway driving is usually at 79 mph. I did the actual calculations for mpg for 9 months. Results are very close to data provided by car within hundredths.
Disappointed in mileage, but of course previous 03 RX was much worse.

 

I can get up to 30mpg if I don't cross 65mph. usually 27-30 in ECO mode - highway only, mixed 23-26 depending on my mood. Also I don't believe in cruise control, I think that maintaining constant speed on uphill is bad idea, I usually let it slow down on uphill and regain speed on downhill with some compensation if needed.

 

I try to always use 100% gasoline instead of 10% Ethanol version and it does make a difference on gas mileage for me. You may want to try to find 100% gas for a few fill ups and test the mpg if you are not using 100% already.

 

My experience with small turbos is the mpg's go down noticeably as speed increases and more boost is used, compared to say, a naturally aspirated V6. Also, driving style has a BIG effect too. These engines get pretty decent mileage under normal/easy driving conditions.

 

I'm in ECO mode probably 97% of the time, driving about 70-80MPH highway (50/50 hwy/city). I would do NORMAL if I wanted to show someone the Active Sound Control (ASC) nonsense. I will use the SPORT mode on hill climbs when necessary (only used once so far). My average is 22.2 MPG.

2016 NX200t F-Sport AWD

 

My wife averages 23 mpg, during her 40 mile roundtrip, commute to work. Speed limit 45, some traffic, and several lights. She is happy with it!

 

Welcome to the forum.

A few factors to consider.

1. MPGs are at its worst in colder temperatures, i.e. winter.
2. Wind direction plays a key role on highway MPGs. When I travel east, my highway MPGs is in the higher 20s. When I head back west (against the westerly winds), same trip/temps, I'm in the lower 20s.
3. Speed (obvious one here). The EPA figures are calculated in ideal sub-60 mph conditions using summer gas. Hitting 70-75 mph will drop the MPGs by 10-15% easily.
4. Tire pressure. The higher, the less drag/friction, but potentially more center wear, lower traction, etc. I keep mine at 35 psi as the best compromise between comfort, traction, and drag.
5. Winter gas with its higher RVP, has reduced fuel efficiency. http://newsroom.aaa.com/2013/06/what...soline/greater

In short, give it a chance in late spring/summer paying attention to the above, and you'll easily hit the EPA rating. Enjoy your NX!

 

I've had my 2015 NX for 15 months and after 51 fill-ups, here is my data:



I'm at 72% city driving vs 28% freeway driving. My best mileage was: 27.1 mpg.

 

2016 NX (not F Sport)- 21.9 mpg after about 11 mo's and 10,500mi, about 50/50 city/highway driving

 

Disappointing to say the least. Especially coming from an X5 diesel where I averaged 29 mpg & went 650 miles between fill ups. I wouldn't mind as much if the gas tank were larger. Having to put gas in after only 270 miles is getting old.

 

Club Lexus Community, your replies have inspired a few hypotheses about the mystery of my low MPG (23 mpg on 99% highway driving) from a recent 2400 mile trip between Ann Arbor and Houston. As already noted, conditions were good and the car was in Eco mode. Also, tires were properly inflated and I was using good gas. So, we can rule those factors out. Here's what remains...

"EPA Don't Drive Over 55" Hypothesis. Let's say, I was driving 80 mph most of the way - carefully worded to avoid self-incrimination . Some believe that driving faster than 55-60 mph would have a significant negative effect on highway mpg. Your thoughts? More important, evidence?

"Improves With Age" Hypothesis. My Lexus NX 200T was brand new. Lexus does not require a break-in period. However, does gas mileage improve as the car "settles in"? Thoughts and Evidence?

"It's How You Measure It" Hypothesis. My mpg info is coming from the digital readout on the instrument panel. Would I get the same information if I measured mpg the old-fashioned way? Miles traveled divided by gallons put in between fill ups? Thoughts and Evidence?

Other hypotheses?

Thanks in advance CL.

 

1. Yes speed is the largest single factor especially with less aerodynamic vehicles such as CUVs/SUVs. The NX is good for a CUV but not great as a vehicle at 0.33-0.34 Cd. Going over 55 mph = more fuel to burn to counter the increased wind drag plus the slightly increased rolling resistance introduced from the increased friction between the tires and road. (See vid below). P.S. I've driven once to Dallas from Toronto and I forget which highways (and across which states), but the speed limit is 75 MPH meaning one easily goes to 80 in these sections . So 23 MPGs under these conditions for the NX, with winter gas, in cold temps, is great and I wouldn't sweat it.

2. Age/Break-in = negligible impact. After two years of ownership, I can't notice the improvement if any.

3. In my experience with Lexus/Toyota vehicles, the car's computer is about 3% optimistic from actual fuel measuring and calculating against distance traveled.

 

I am not sure if I am correct about this or not, but I don't think cruise control will help get you max MPGs either, it isn't designed for economy, but rather to maintain a specific speed. It doesn't know to coast on a down hill to the point you can or when to let off on an incline, cruise control will always try to maintain a constant speed.

And I totally agree with Corrado, if you are driving 70-80mph you are going to lost 10-15% easy, add in the other factors like winter blend gas (which I think they use in Michigan) and tire pressure and cruise control and I think you are going to be right where you are.