The Isuzu Rodeo does 17.1 mpg combined (15.9 city, 19.5 highway), which works out to about $2,246 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 18.8 mpg while 3.1L 6-cyl does 15 — a difference of $517 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Isuzu Rodeo 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 | 17.6 / 21.4 | 1999–2003 | $2,043 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 17 / 20 | 1989–1990 | $2,133 | |
| 2.6L 4-cyl | 16.1 / 19.7 | 1991–1997 | $2,220 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 15.1 / 18.8 | 1993–2004 | $2,327 | |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 14 / 17 | 1991–1992 | $2,560 |
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 | $0.187 |
| Fuel per year | $2,246 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,230 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$734 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,526 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 | 15.9 mpg | $2,415 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19.5 mpg | $1,969 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.6 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the Rodeo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2003 | 16.5 / 21.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 16 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2001 | 16 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2000 | 16.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 1999 | 17 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1997 | 16 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 1996 | 16 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 1995 | 15 / 19 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 1994 | 15 / 17.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 1993 | 15.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 1992 | 15 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 1991 | 15 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 1990 | 17 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1989 | 17 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
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 Rodeo get?
17.1 mpg combined on average — 15.9 in the city and 19.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–2004.
How much does a Isuzu Rodeo cost in fuel per year?
About $2,246 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,230 over five years, or 0.187 dollars a mile.
Which Rodeo engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 18.8 mpg, against 15 for the 3.1L 6-cyl — a difference of about $517 a year.
Is the Rodeo 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.