The Mitsubishi i-MiEV does 87.9 mpg combined (96.6 city, 79.9 highway), which works out to about $437 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 112 mpg while 1.5L 4-cyl does 26 — a difference of $1,134 a year. Against other Electric cars it sits below the average of 99.7 mpg.
Every Mitsubishi i-MiEV 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 125 / 99.6 | 2012–2017 | $343 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 26 / 33 | 2015–2015 | $1,324 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 25 / 28 | 2018–2018 | $1,477 |
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 | $0.036 |
| Fuel per year | $437 |
| Fuel over five years | $2,185 |
| Against other Electric cars | +$52 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,150 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 | 96.6 mpg | $398 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 79.9 mpg | $481 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-16.7 mpg (-17%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the i-MiEV 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 25 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2017 | 121 / 102 | 1 | $343 | |
| 2016 | 126 / 99 | 1 | $343 | |
| 2015 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2014 | 126 / 99 | 1 | $343 | |
| 2013 | 126 / 99 | 1 | $343 | |
| 2012 | 126 / 99 | 1 | $343 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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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 i-MiEV get?
87.9 mpg combined on average — 96.6 in the city and 79.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2012–2018.
How much does a Mitsubishi i-MiEV cost in fuel per year?
About $437 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $2,185 over five years, or 0.036 dollars a mile.
Which i-MiEV engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 112 mpg, against 26 for the 1.5L 4-cyl — a difference of about $1,134 a year.
Is the i-MiEV good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other Electric cars it sits below the average of 99.7 mpg, computed across 540 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.