The Chrysler Imperial does 19 mpg combined (16.8 city, 23.5 highway), which works out to about $2,021 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Chrysler Imperial engine, compared
The Chrysler Imperial 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 16.8 / 23.5 | 1990–1993 | $2,021 |
What that actually costs
The Chrysler Imperial burns a gallon every 19 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 632 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.168 |
| Fuel per year | $2,021 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,105 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$91 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,250 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chrysler Imperial gives up 6.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 23.5 out there against 16.8 in town, a 40% drop worth $652 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 | 16.8 mpg | $2,286 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23.5 mpg | $1,634 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.7 mpg (40%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Imperial changed over the years
The Imperial peaked in 1993 at 20 mpg (18 city, 24 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1990 at 18 — 2 mpg apart, or $213 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1993 car does 20. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1992 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1991 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1990 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 |
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 Chrysler Imperial — 1 engine across 1990–1993. 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 $3,250. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chrysler Imperial get?
19 mpg combined on average — 16.8 in the city and 23.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1990–1993.
How much does a Chrysler Imperial cost in fuel per year?
About $2,021 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,105 over five years, or 0.168 dollars a mile.
Which Imperial engine is the most economical?
The 3.3L 6-cyl at 19 mpg.
Is the Imperial 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 Imperial figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chrysler Imperial is $3,250 against the $2,021 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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