The Isuzu NPR does 19.2 mpg combined (17.3 city, 22.1 highway), which works out to about $2,000 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.5L 4-cyl does 33 mpg while 4.2L 6-cyl does 16 — a difference of $1,236 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Isuzu NPR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 31 / 37 | 1987–1987 | $1,164 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 19 / 24.5 | 1996–1999 | $1,786 | |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 16 / 23 | 1997–1997 | $2,021 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 17.4 / 20.4 | 1989–1995 | $2,065 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 15 / 19 | 1999–1999 | $2,259 | |
| 2.6L 4-cyl | 15 / 19 | 1993–1994 | $2,327 | |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 14 / 20 | 2006–2009 | $2,400 |
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 | $0.167 |
| Fuel per year | $2,000 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,000 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$488 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,353 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 | 17.3 mpg | $2,220 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.1 mpg | $1,738 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.8 mpg (28%) | Typical for its type |
How the NPR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2008 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2007 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2006 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 1999 | 16.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1998 | 18 / 22 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1997 | 18 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 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 | |
| 1987 | 31 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 |
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 NPR get?
19.2 mpg combined on average — 17.3 in the city and 22.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1987–2009.
How much does a Isuzu NPR cost in fuel per year?
About $2,000 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,000 over five years, or 0.167 dollars a mile.
Which NPR engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 33 mpg, against 16 for the 4.2L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,236 a year.
Is the NPR 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.