The Mitsubishi Eclipse does 23.1 mpg combined (20.4 city, 27.5 highway), which works out to about $1,662 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 26.6 mpg while 3.8L 6-cyl does 19.7 — a difference of $505 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mitsubishi Eclipse 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 | 25.6 / 28.6 | 2018–2026 | $1,444 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 21 / 29 | 1990–1994 | $1,600 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 20.6 / 29.4 | 1995–1999 | $1,627 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 20.1 / 27.9 | 2000–2012 | $1,662 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 25.5 | 2000–2005 | $1,829 | |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 16.7 / 25 | 2006–2012 | $1,949 |
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 | $0.139 |
| Fuel per year | $1,662 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,310 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$150 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,976 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 | 20.4 mpg | $1,882 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.5 mpg | $1,396 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.1 mpg (35%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Eclipse 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2025 | 25 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2024 | 25 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2023 | 26 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2022 | 26 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2020 | 26 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2019 | 26 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2018 | 26 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2012 | 18.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2011 | 18.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2009 | 18 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 18.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2007 | 18.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2006 | 18.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2005 | 19 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2004 | 19 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2003 | 19.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2002 | 19 / 27 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2001 | 19 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2000 | 19 / 27 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1999 | 20 / 30 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1998 | 20 / 30 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1997 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1996 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1995 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1994 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1993 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1992 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1991 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 |
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 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?
23.1 mpg combined on average — 20.4 in the city and 27.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1990–2026.
How much does a Mitsubishi Eclipse cost in fuel per year?
About $1,662 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,310 over five years, or 0.139 dollars a mile.
Which Eclipse engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 26.6 mpg, against 19.7 for the 3.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $505 a year.
Is the Eclipse 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.