The Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack does 24.4 mpg combined (22 city, 28.8 highway), which works out to about $1,574 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 27 mpg while 2.4L 4-cyl does 22.4 — a difference of $292 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack ranges from 27 down to 22.4 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $292 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one 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 | 24 / 31.8 | 2011–2014 | $1,422 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 20.4 / 26.4 | 2004–2010 | $1,714 |
What that actually costs
The Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack burns a gallon every 24.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 492 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.131 |
| Fuel per year | $1,574 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,870 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$80 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,572 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack gives up 6.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 28.8 out there against 22 in town, a 31% drop worth $412 a year. 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 mpg | $1,745 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.8 mpg | $1,333 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.8 mpg (31%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Lancer SportBack changed over the years
The Lancer SportBack peaked in 2014 at 27 mpg (24 city, 32 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 22 — 5 mpg apart, or $323 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2014 car does 27. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 2006 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 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
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack — 2 engines across 2004–2014. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,572. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack get?
24.4 mpg combined on average — 22 in the city and 28.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2014.
How much does a Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack cost in fuel per year?
About $1,574 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,870 over five years, or 0.131 dollars a mile.
Which Lancer SportBack engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 27 mpg, against 22.4 for the 2.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $292 a year.
Is the Lancer SportBack good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Lancer SportBack figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Mitsubishi Lancer SportBack is $2,572 against the $1,574 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 27 and 22 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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