The Mitsubishi RVR does 50.4 mpg combined (52.5 city, 49.5 highway), which works out to about $762 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 3.8L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $1,577 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mitsubishi RVR 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 | 124.8 / 99.8 | 2013–2017 | $343 | |
| 1.2L 3-cyl | 36 / 43 | 2021–2021 | $985 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 26 / 33 | 2015–2015 | $1,324 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 25 / 28 | 2018–2022 | $1,477 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 20 / 28 | 2011–2012 | $1,670 | |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 / 25 | 2011–2012 | $1,920 |
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 | $0.063 |
| Fuel per year | $762 |
| Fuel over five years | $3,810 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$750 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,089 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 | 52.5 mpg | $731 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 49.5 mpg | $776 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-3 mpg (-6%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the RVR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 36 / 43 | 1 | $985 | |
| 2020 | 25 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2019 | 25 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 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 | 18.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2011 | 18.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,786 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
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 RVR get?
50.4 mpg combined on average — 52.5 in the city and 49.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2011–2022.
How much does a Mitsubishi RVR cost in fuel per year?
About $762 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $3,810 over five years, or 0.063 dollars a mile.
Which RVR engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 112 mpg, against 20 for the 3.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,577 a year.
Is the RVR 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.