Against 469 other V6 cars rated 2007–2009, the Ascender trails their 19.5 mpg average by 3.5 mpg, about $431 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2003, the 4.2L 6-cyl (2003–2009), does 16 mpg and the thirstiest, the 5.3L 8-cyl (2003–2007), 15.6: $62 a year apart.
Every Isuzu Ascender engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 14 / 19.7 | 2003–2009 | $2,400 | |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 13.8 / 18.6 | 2003–2007 | $2,462 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Jeep Liberty gets 18.3 mpg, the Nissan Xterra 17.7 mpg and the Cadillac SRX 17.6 mpg, next to 16 mpg for the 2009 Ascender. The Ascender costs the most of them to run: $302 a year more than the Jeep Liberty.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2009) | $0.200 |
| Fuel per year | $2,400 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,000 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2007–2009 | +$431 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,942 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2009 Isuzu Ascender gives up 6 mpg in town: 20 on the highway against 14 in the city, $823 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2009) | 14 mpg | $2,743 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20 mpg | $1,920 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Ascender changed over the years
The Ascender peaked in 2009 at 16 mpg (14 city, 20 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 15.5 — 0.5 mpg apart, or $77 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2008 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2007 | 14 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2006 | 14 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2005 | 13.5 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2004 | 14 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2003 | 14 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 |
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 Isuzu Ascender — 2 engines across 2003–2009. 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 $3,942. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2009 Isuzu Ascender get?
16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2003 the Ascender has averaged 15.8 mpg.
Is the 2009 Ascender more efficient than the 2008?
About the same: 16 against 16 mpg combined.
Does the Ascender get better gas mileage than the Jeep Liberty?
No: 16 mpg for the 2009 Ascender against 18.3 for the 2010 Jeep Liberty, about $302 a year more to run.
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