The Dodge Intrepid does 21.2 mpg combined (18 city, 26.3 highway), which works out to about $1,811 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.7L 6-cyl does 21.6 mpg while 3.3L 6-cyl does 20.6 — a difference of $86 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Dodge Intrepid engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Dodge Intrepid ranges from 21.6 down to 20.6 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $86 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 18.3 / 26.9 | 1998–2004 | $1,778 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 17.6 / 25.4 | 1993–1997 | $1,864 |
What that actually costs
The Dodge Intrepid burns a gallon every 21.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 566 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.151 |
| Fuel per year | $1,811 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,055 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$119 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,942 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Dodge Intrepid gives up 8.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.3 out there against 18 in town, a 46% drop worth $673 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 | 18 mpg | $2,133 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.3 mpg | $1,460 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.3 mpg (46%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Intrepid changed over the years
The Intrepid peaked in 2004 at 22 mpg (19 city, 27 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1997 at 20 — 2 mpg apart, or $175 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2004 car does 22. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2003 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2000 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1999 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1998 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1997 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1996 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1995 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1994 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1993 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Dodge Intrepid — 2 engines across 1993–2004. 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 $2,942. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Dodge Intrepid get?
21.2 mpg combined on average — 18 in the city and 26.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1993–2004.
How much does a Dodge Intrepid cost in fuel per year?
About $1,811 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,055 over five years, or 0.151 dollars a mile.
Which Intrepid engine is the most economical?
The 2.7L 6-cyl at 21.6 mpg, against 20.6 for the 3.3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $86 a year.
Is the Intrepid good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Intrepid figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Dodge Intrepid is $2,942 against the $1,811 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 22 and 20 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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