The Isuzu Amigo does 17.9 mpg combined (16.5 city, 19.9 highway), which works out to about $2,145 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.2L 4-cyl does 20 mpg while 2.6L 4-cyl does 16.5 — a difference of $407 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Isuzu Amigo engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 18 / 22 | 1998–1999 | $1,920 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 17 / 19.8 | 1989–1992 | $2,133 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 15.5 / 19 | 1998–1999 | $2,259 | |
| 2.6L 4-cyl | 15 / 19 | 1993–1994 | $2,327 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.179 |
| Fuel per year | $2,145 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,725 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$633 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,485 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 16.5 mpg | $2,327 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19.9 mpg | $1,930 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.4 mpg (21%) | Typical for its type |
How the Amigo changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 16.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1998 | 17 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1994 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 1993 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1992 | 17 / 19 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1991 | 17 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1990 | 17 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1989 | 17 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Isuzu Amigo get?
17.9 mpg combined on average — 16.5 in the city and 19.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–1999.
How much does a Isuzu Amigo cost in fuel per year?
About $2,145 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,725 over five years, or 0.179 dollars a mile.
Which Amigo engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 20 mpg, against 16.5 for the 2.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $407 a year.
Is the Amigo good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.