The Isuzu Stylus does 28.7 mpg combined (26.7 city, 32.3 highway), which works out to about $1,338 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 2.3L 4-cyl does 18 — a difference of $969 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Isuzu Stylus 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 | 1987–1988 | $1,164 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 27 / 33.3 | 1990–1992 | $1,311 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 17 / 20 | 1989–1989 | $2,133 |
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 | $0.111 |
| Fuel per year | $1,338 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,690 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$174 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,275 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 | 26.7 mpg | $1,438 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32.3 mpg | $1,189 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.6 mpg (21%) | Typical for its type |
How the Stylus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1991 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1990 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1989 | 17 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1988 | 31 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1987 | 31 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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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 Stylus get?
28.7 mpg combined on average — 26.7 in the city and 32.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1987–1992.
How much does a Isuzu Stylus cost in fuel per year?
About $1,338 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,690 over five years, or 0.111 dollars a mile.
Which Stylus engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 33 mpg, against 18 for the 2.3L 4-cyl — a difference of about $969 a year.
Is the Stylus good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above 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.