The Isuzu FSR does 18.6 mpg combined (17.1 city, 20.9 highway), which works out to about $2,065 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 23 mpg while 2.6L 4-cyl does 16.5 — a difference of $657 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Isuzu FSR 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 | 20 / 27 | 1996–1996 | $1,670 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 17.4 / 20.4 | 1989–1995 | $2,065 | |
| 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 | $0.172 |
| Fuel per year | $2,065 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,325 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$553 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,375 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 | 17.1 mpg | $2,246 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20.9 mpg | $1,837 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.8 mpg (22%) | Typical for its type |
How the FSR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1995 | 19 / 23 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 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 FSR get?
18.6 mpg combined on average — 17.1 in the city and 20.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–1996.
How much does a Isuzu FSR cost in fuel per year?
About $2,065 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,325 over five years, or 0.172 dollars a mile.
Which FSR engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 23 mpg, against 16.5 for the 2.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $657 a year.
Is the FSR 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.