The Mitsubishi Cordia does 24.8 mpg combined (22.0 city, 29.2 highway), which works out to about $1,548 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mitsubishi Cordia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 22 / 29.2 | 1984–1988 | $1,548 |
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 | $0.129 |
| Fuel per year | $1,548 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,740 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$36 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,520 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 | 22.0 mpg | $1,745 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.2 mpg | $1,315 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.2 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Cordia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1987 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1986 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1985 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1984 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 |
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 Mitsubishi Cordia get?
24.8 mpg combined on average — 22.0 in the city and 29.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1988.
How much does a Mitsubishi Cordia cost in fuel per year?
About $1,548 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,740 over five years, or 0.129 dollars a mile.
Which Cordia engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 24.8 mpg.
Is the Cordia 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.