The Scion iQ does 50.8 mpg combined (53.0 city, 48.3 highway), which works out to about $756 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 121 mpg while 1.3L 4-cyl does 36.8 — a difference of $726 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Scion iQ 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 | 138 / 105 | 2013–2013 | $317 | |
| 1.3L 4-cyl | 36 / 37 | 2011–2015 | $1,043 |
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 | $756 |
| Fuel over five years | $3,780 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$756 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,450 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 | 53.0 mpg | $725 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 48.3 mpg | $795 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-4.7 mpg (-9%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the iQ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 36 / 37 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2014 | 36 / 37 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2013 | 87 / 71 | 2 | $486 | |
| 2012 | 36 / 37 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2011 | 36 / 37 | 1 | $1,067 |
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 Scion iQ get?
50.8 mpg combined on average — 53.0 in the city and 48.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2011–2015.
How much does a Scion iQ cost in fuel per year?
About $756 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $3,780 over five years, or 0.063 dollars a mile.
Which iQ engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 121 mpg, against 36.8 for the 1.3L 4-cyl — a difference of about $726 a year.
Is the iQ 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.