The Isuzu Rodeo does 17.2 mpg combined (15.9 city, 19.5 highway), which works out to about $2,233 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 19 mpg while 3.1L 6-cyl does 15 — a difference of $539 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Isuzu Rodeo engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Isuzu Rodeo ranges from 19 down to 15 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $539 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 17.7 / 21.5 | 1998–2003 | $2,021 | |
| 2.6L 4-cyl | 16.1 / 19.7 | 1991–1997 | $2,220 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 15.2 / 18.8 | 1993–2004 | $2,313 | |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 14 / 17 | 1991–1992 | $2,560 |
What that actually costs
The Isuzu Rodeo burns a gallon every 17.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 698 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.186 |
| Fuel per year | $2,233 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,165 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$303 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,641 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Isuzu Rodeo gives up 3.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 19.5 out there against 15.9 in town, a 23% drop worth $446 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 | 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
The Rodeo peaked in 1999 at 18.5 mpg (17 city, 20.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1994 at 16 — 2.5 mpg apart, or $324 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2004 car does 18. 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 | |
| 1998 | 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 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 27 EPA ratings of the Isuzu Rodeo — 4 engines across 1991–2004. 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 $3,641. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Isuzu Rodeo get?
17.2 mpg combined on average — 15.9 in the city and 19.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1991–2004.
How much does a Isuzu Rodeo cost in fuel per year?
About $2,233 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,165 over five years, or 0.186 dollars a mile.
Which Rodeo engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 19 mpg, against 15 for the 3.1L 6-cyl — a difference of about $539 a year.
Is the Rodeo good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Rodeo 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 Rodeo is $3,641 against the $2,233 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 20 and 15 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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