The Daihatsu Charade does 33.3 mpg combined (31.3 city, 37 highway), which works out to about $1,153 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1L 3-cyl does 34 mpg while 1.3L 4-cyl does 32.5 — a difference of $53 a year. Against other 3-cyl cars it sits above the average of 32.3 mpg.
Every Daihatsu Charade engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Daihatsu Charade ranges from 34 down to 32.5 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $53 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1L 3-cyl | 32 / 38 | 1988–1992 | $1,129 | |
| 1.3L 4-cyl | 30.5 / 35.8 | 1989–1992 | $1,182 |
What that actually costs
The Daihatsu Charade burns a gallon every 33.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 360 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.096 |
| Fuel per year | $1,153 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,765 |
| Against other 3-cyl cars | −$36 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,883 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Daihatsu Charade gives up 5.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 37 out there against 31.3 in town, a 18% drop worth $189 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 | 31.3 mpg | $1,227 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 37 mpg | $1,038 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.7 mpg (18%) | Typical for its type |
How the Charade changed over the years
The Charade peaked in 1989 at 34 mpg (32 city, 38 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1992 at 33 — 1 mpg apart, or $35 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1992 car does 33. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 31 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 1991 | 31 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 1990 | 31 / 36.5 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 1989 | 32 / 38 | 2 | $1,129 | |
| 1988 | 32 / 38 | 1 | $1,129 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Daihatsu Charade — 2 engines across 1988–1992. 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 $1,883. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Daihatsu Charade get?
33.3 mpg combined on average — 31.3 in the city and 37 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1988–1992.
How much does a Daihatsu Charade cost in fuel per year?
About $1,153 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,765 over five years, or 0.096 dollars a mile.
Which Charade engine is the most economical?
The 1L 3-cyl at 34 mpg, against 32.5 for the 1.3L 4-cyl — a difference of about $53 a year.
Is the Charade good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 3-cyl cars it sits above the average of 32.3 mpg, computed across 151 ratings.
Are these real-world Charade figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Daihatsu Charade is $1,883 against the $1,153 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 34 and 32 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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