The Infiniti QX4 does 15.1 mpg combined (13.6 city, 17.6 highway), which works out to about $2,543 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.5L 6-cyl does 15.3 mpg while 3.3L 6-cyl does 15 — a difference of $50 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Infiniti QX4 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Infiniti QX4 ranges from 15.3 down to 15 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $50 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 14 / 18.3 | 2001–2003 | $2,510 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 13.3 / 17 | 1997–2000 | $2,560 |
What that actually costs
The Infiniti QX4 burns a gallon every 15.1 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 795 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.212 |
| Fuel per year | $2,543 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,715 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$613 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,114 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Infiniti QX4 gives up 4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 17.6 out there against 13.6 in town, a 29% drop worth $642 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 | 13.6 mpg | $2,824 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 17.6 mpg | $2,182 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4 mpg (29%) | Typical for its type |
How the QX4 changed over the years
The QX4 peaked in 2003 at 16 mpg (14 city, 19 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2002 at 15 — 1 mpg apart, or $160 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2003 car does 16. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2002 | 14 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2001 | 14 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2000 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1999 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1998 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1997 | 14 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 7 EPA ratings of the Infiniti QX4 — 2 engines across 1997–2003. 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 $4,114. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Infiniti QX4 get?
15.1 mpg combined on average — 13.6 in the city and 17.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1997–2003.
How much does a Infiniti QX4 cost in fuel per year?
About $2,543 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $12,715 over five years, or 0.212 dollars a mile.
Which QX4 engine is the most economical?
The 3.5L 6-cyl at 15.3 mpg, against 15 for the 3.3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $50 a year.
Is the QX4 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 QX4 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Infiniti QX4 is $4,114 against the $2,543 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 16 and 15 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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