The Isuzu Hombre does 20.5 mpg combined (17.9 city, 23.9 highway), which works out to about $1,873 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 22.6 mpg while 4.3L 6-cyl does 17.6 — a difference of $483 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Isuzu Hombre engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Isuzu Hombre ranges from 22.6 down to 17.6 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $483 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 19.7 / 26 | 1996–2002 | $1,699 | |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 15.4 / 21 | 1997–2001 | $2,182 |
What that actually costs
The Isuzu Hombre burns a gallon every 20.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 585 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.156 |
| Fuel per year | $1,873 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,365 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$379 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,088 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Isuzu Hombre gives up 6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 23.9 out there against 17.9 in town, a 34% drop worth $538 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 | 17.9 mpg | $2,145 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23.9 mpg | $1,607 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (34%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Hombre changed over the years
The Hombre peaked in 1996 at 23 mpg (20 city, 27 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2001 at 19.5 — 3.5 mpg apart, or $299 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2002 car does 22. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2001 | 17 / 22.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2000 | 17.5 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1999 | 17.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1998 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1997 | 18 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1996 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 |
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 Hombre — 2 engines across 1996–2002. 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 $3,088. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Isuzu Hombre get?
20.5 mpg combined on average — 17.9 in the city and 23.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1996–2002.
How much does a Isuzu Hombre cost in fuel per year?
About $1,873 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,365 over five years, or 0.156 dollars a mile.
Which Hombre engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 22.6 mpg, against 17.6 for the 4.3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $483 a year.
Is the Hombre good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Hombre figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Isuzu Hombre is $3,088 against the $1,873 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 23 and 17 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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