The Scion iQ does 36.8 mpg combined (36 city, 37 highway), which works out to about $1,043 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Scion iQ engine, compared
The Scion iQ was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3L 4-cyl | 36 / 37 | 2011–2015 | $1,043 |
What that actually costs
The Scion iQ burns a gallon every 36.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 326 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.087 |
| Fuel per year | $1,043 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,215 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$451 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,710 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Scion iQ gives up 1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 37 out there against 36 in town, a 3% drop worth $29 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 | 36 mpg | $1,067 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 37 mpg | $1,038 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +1 mpg (3%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the iQ changed over the years
The iQ peaked in 2015 at 37 mpg (36 city, 37 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2011 at 36 — 1 mpg apart, or $29 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2015 car does 37. 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 | 36 / 37 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 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
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Scion iQ — 1 engine across 2011–2015. 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 $1,710. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Scion iQ get?
36.8 mpg combined on average — 36 in the city and 37 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2011–2015.
How much does a Scion iQ cost in fuel per year?
About $1,043 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,215 over five years, or 0.087 dollars a mile.
Which iQ engine is the most economical?
The 1.3L 4-cyl at 36.8 mpg.
Is the iQ good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world iQ figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Scion iQ is $1,710 against the $1,043 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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