The Acura RSX does 26 mpg combined (23.8 city, 30.4 highway), which works out to about $1,477 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Acura RSX engine, compared
The Acura RSX was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 23.8 / 30.4 | 2002–2006 | $1,477 |
What that actually costs
The Acura RSX burns a gallon every 26 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 462 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.123 |
| Fuel per year | $1,477 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,385 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$17 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,400 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Acura RSX gives up 6.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 30.4 out there against 23.8 in town, a 28% drop worth $350 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 23.8 mpg | $1,613 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30.4 mpg | $1,263 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.6 mpg (28%) | Typical for its type |
How the RSX changed over the years
Combined figure across the 5 model years the RSX was rated in, all of them at 26 mpg. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2005 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2004 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2003 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2002 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Acura RSX — 1 engine across 2002–2006. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,400. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Acura RSX get?
26 mpg combined on average — 23.8 in the city and 30.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2002–2006.
How much does a Acura RSX cost in fuel per year?
About $1,477 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,385 over five years, or 0.123 dollars a mile.
Which RSX engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 26 mpg.
Is the RSX good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world RSX figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Acura RSX is $2,400 against the $1,477 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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