The Mitsubishi Outlander does 24.2 mpg combined (22.1 city, 27.3 highway), which works out to about $1,587 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 Hybrid does 28 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 21.7 — a difference of $399 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mitsubishi Outlander engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mitsubishi Outlander ranges from 28 down to 21.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $399 a year across 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 26 / 31 | 2026–2026 | $1,371 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 24 / 31 | 2022–2025 | $1,422 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl Plug-in hybrid | 25.7 / 26.7 | 2021–2026 | $1,466 | |
| 2L 4-cyl Plug-in hybrid | 25 / 26 | 2018–2020 | $1,536 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 22.2 / 27.6 | 2003–2020 | $1,561 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 19.1 / 26.1 | 2007–2020 | $1,770 |
What that actually costs
The Mitsubishi Outlander burns a gallon every 24.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 496 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.132 |
| Fuel per year | $1,587 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,935 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$93 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,760 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mitsubishi Outlander gives up 5.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.3 out there against 22.1 in town, a 24% drop worth $331 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 | 22.1 mpg | $1,738 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.3 mpg | $1,407 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.2 mpg (24%) | Typical for its type |
How the Outlander changed over the years
The Outlander peaked in 2026 at 27.5 mpg (26.5 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2007 at 20 — 7.5 mpg apart, or $524 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 27.5. 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 | 26.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,396 | |
| 2025 | 24.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2024 | 24.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2023 | 24.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2022 | 25 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2021 | 26 / 26 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2020 | 23.3 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2019 | 23.3 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2018 | 23.3 / 27.7 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2017 | 22.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2016 | 22.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2015 | 22.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2014 | 22.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2013 | 20.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2012 | 20.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2011 | 21 / 27 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2010 | 20 / 26 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2009 | 18.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 18.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2007 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2006 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2005 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2004 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 45 EPA ratings of the Mitsubishi Outlander — 6 engines across 2003–2026. 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 $2,760. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mitsubishi Outlander get?
24.2 mpg combined on average — 22.1 in the city and 27.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2003–2026.
How much does a Mitsubishi Outlander cost in fuel per year?
About $1,587 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,935 over five years, or 0.132 dollars a mile.
Which Outlander engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl Hybrid at 28 mpg, against 21.7 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $399 a year.
Is the Outlander 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 Outlander 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 Outlander is $2,760 against the $1,587 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 28 and 20 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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