The Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack does 41.0 mpg combined (41.0 city, 42.5 highway), which works out to about $937 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 2.4L 4-cyl does 22.5 — a difference of $1,364 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack 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 | 123.5 / 100.5 | 2016–2017 | $343 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 24.4 / 32 | 2011–2015 | $1,401 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 20.5 / 26.5 | 2004–2010 | $1,707 |
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 | $0.078 |
| Fuel per year | $937 |
| Fuel over five years | $4,685 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$575 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,168 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 | 41.0 mpg | $937 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 42.5 mpg | $904 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +1.5 mpg (4%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Lancer SportBack 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 121 / 102 | 1 | $343 | |
| 2016 | 126 / 99 | 1 | $343 | |
| 2015 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2014 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2013 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2012 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2011 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2010 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2009 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2005 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2004 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 |
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 Lancer SportBack get?
41.0 mpg combined on average — 41.0 in the city and 42.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2017.
How much does a Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack cost in fuel per year?
About $937 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $4,685 over five years, or 0.078 dollars a mile.
Which Lancer SportBack engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 112 mpg, against 22.5 for the 2.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $1,364 a year.
Is the Lancer SportBack 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.