Against 435 other V6 cars rated 2002–2004, the Intrepid beats their 18.8 mpg average by 3.2 mpg, about $298 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1993, the 2.7L 6-cyl (1998–2004), does 21.6 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3.3L 6-cyl (1993–1997), 20.6: $86 a year apart.
Every Dodge Intrepid engine, compared
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
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Buick LeSabre gets 21 mpg, the Buick Park Avenue 21 mpg and the Ford Five Hundred 21 mpg, next to 22 mpg for the 2004 Intrepid. The Intrepid is the cheapest of them to run: $84 a year less than the Buick LeSabre.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2004) | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,745 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,725 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2002–2004 | −$298 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,942 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2004 Dodge Intrepid gives up 8 mpg in town: 27 on the highway against 19 in the city, $599 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2004) | 19 mpg | $2,021 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27 mpg | $1,422 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (42%) | 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.
| 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.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
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 2004 Dodge Intrepid get?
22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1993 the Intrepid has averaged 21.2 mpg.
Is the 2004 Intrepid more efficient than the 2003?
About the same: 22 against 22 mpg combined.
Which Intrepid year has the best gas mileage?
The 2004, at 22 mpg combined (19 city, 27 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Intrepid get better gas mileage than the Buick LeSabre?
Yes: 22 mpg for the 2004 Intrepid against 21 for the 2005 Buick LeSabre, about $84 a year less to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.