The Isuzu IMPULSE does 22.9 mpg combined (20.1 city, 27.2 highway), which works out to about $1,677 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 26 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 21.4 — a difference of $317 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Isuzu IMPULSE engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Isuzu IMPULSE ranges from 26 down to 21.4 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $317 a year across 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 23 / 30.5 | 1990–1991 | $1,477 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 21 / 29 | 1992–1993 | $1,600 | |
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 19 / 26 | 1986–1986 | $1,745 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 18.8 / 25.4 | 1984–1989 | $1,794 |
What that actually costs
The Isuzu IMPULSE burns a gallon every 22.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 524 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.140 |
| Fuel per year | $1,677 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,385 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$183 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,740 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Isuzu IMPULSE gives up 7.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.2 out there against 20.1 in town, a 35% drop worth $498 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 | 20.1 mpg | $1,910 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.2 mpg | $1,412 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.1 mpg (35%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the IMPULSE changed over the years
The IMPULSE peaked in 1991 at 26 mpg (23 city, 30 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1989 at 21 — 5 mpg apart, or $352 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1993 car does 24. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1992 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1991 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1990 | 23 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1989 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1988 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1987 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1986 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1985 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1984 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 10 EPA ratings of the Isuzu IMPULSE — 4 engines across 1984–1993. 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 $2,740. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Isuzu IMPULSE get?
22.9 mpg combined on average — 20.1 in the city and 27.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1993.
How much does a Isuzu IMPULSE cost in fuel per year?
About $1,677 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,385 over five years, or 0.140 dollars a mile.
Which IMPULSE engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 26 mpg, against 21.4 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $317 a year.
Is the IMPULSE 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 IMPULSE 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 IMPULSE is $2,740 against the $1,677 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 26 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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