The Suzuki Esteem does 28.7 mpg combined (25.7 city, 33.1 highway), which works out to about $1,338 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 29 mpg while 1.8L 4-cyl does 27 — a difference of $98 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Suzuki Esteem engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Suzuki Esteem ranges from 29 down to 27 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $98 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 26 / 33.3 | 1996–2001 | $1,324 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 24 / 32 | 2002–2002 | $1,422 |
What that actually costs
The Suzuki Esteem burns a gallon every 28.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 418 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.111 |
| Fuel per year | $1,338 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,690 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$156 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,171 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Suzuki Esteem gives up 7.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.1 out there against 25.7 in town, a 29% drop worth $334 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 | 25.7 mpg | $1,494 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.1 mpg | $1,160 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (29%) | Typical for its type |
How the Esteem changed over the years
The Esteem peaked in 2001 at 29 mpg (26 city, 33 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2002 at 27 — 2 mpg apart, or $98 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2002 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2001 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2000 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1999 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1998 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1997 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1996 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 7 EPA ratings of the Suzuki Esteem — 2 engines across 1996–2002. 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 $2,171. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Suzuki Esteem get?
28.7 mpg combined on average — 25.7 in the city and 33.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1996–2002.
How much does a Suzuki Esteem cost in fuel per year?
About $1,338 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,690 over five years, or 0.111 dollars a mile.
Which Esteem engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 29 mpg, against 27 for the 1.8L 4-cyl — a difference of about $98 a year.
Is the Esteem 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 Esteem figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Suzuki Esteem is $2,171 against the $1,338 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 29 and 27 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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