Daihatsu averages 30.1 mpg combined across 2 petrol and diesel models (1988–1992). The best on record does 34 mpg, the thirstiest 20 — a yearly fuel gap of about $791.
What that actually costs
What a Daihatsu costs to feed, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average combined | 30.1 mpg |
| Fuel per year | $1,276 |
| Most frugal on record | 34 mpg — $1,129 a year |
| Thirstiest on record | 20 mpg — $1,920 a year |
Daihatsu models by gas mileage
From the most frugal down. The yearly figure is what the fuel actually costs at 12,000 miles.
| Model | Average mpg | Best / Worst engine | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daihatsu Charade | 34 / 32 | $1,153 | |
| Daihatsu Rocky | 21 / 20 | $1,892 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Daihatsu rests on 12 EPA ratings covering 2 models from 1988 to 1992. The laboratory numbers are EPA's and go in unchanged; the money is ours, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Daihatsu gas mileage?
30.1 mpg combined across 2 models and 12 EPA ratings, from 1988 to 1992 — 4 model years in one figure, which is why it sits below what a new Daihatsu does today.
Which Daihatsu model is the most economical?
The Daihatsu Charade at 33.3 mpg, about $1,153 a year in fuel, against the Rocky at 20.3 mpg and $1,892 — a gap of $739 a year between the two ends of the same badge.
How much does a Daihatsu cost to run?
About $1,276 a year in fuel, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon. Over five years that is $6,380, before a single service.
Why does the Daihatsu average look low?
Because it spans 4 model years, back to 1988. Cars built before the mid-2000s were markedly thirstier, and Daihatsu has 12 ratings from that whole stretch — the recent ones are pulled down by the old.
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