The Acura SLX does 15 mpg combined (13.5 city, 17.5 highway), which works out to about $2,560 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.2L 6-cyl does 15 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 15 — a difference of $0 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Acura SLX engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Acura SLX ranges from 15 down to 15 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $0 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 14 / 17 | 1996–1997 | $2,560 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 13 / 18 | 1998–1999 | $2,560 |
What that actually costs
The Acura SLX burns a gallon every 15 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 800 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.213 |
| Fuel per year | $2,560 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,800 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$630 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,150 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Acura SLX gives up 4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 17.5 out there against 13.5 in town, a 30% drop worth $650 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 | 13.5 mpg | $2,844 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 17.5 mpg | $2,194 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the SLX changed over the years
Combined figure across the 4 model years the SLX was rated in, all of them at 15 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1998 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1997 | 14 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1996 | 14 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 4 EPA ratings of the Acura SLX — 2 engines across 1996–1999. 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 $4,150. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Acura SLX get?
15 mpg combined on average — 13.5 in the city and 17.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1996–1999.
How much does a Acura SLX cost in fuel per year?
About $2,560 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $12,800 over five years, or 0.213 dollars a mile.
Which SLX engine is the most economical?
The 3.2L 6-cyl at 15 mpg, against 15 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $0 a year.
Is the SLX good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world SLX 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 SLX is $4,150 against the $2,560 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 15 and 15 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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