The Suzuki Grand Vitara does 19.6 mpg combined (17.7 city, 22.1 highway), which works out to about $1,959 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.4L 4-cyl does 22 mpg while 2.5L 6-cyl does 18 — a difference of $388 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Suzuki Grand Vitara engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Suzuki Grand Vitara ranges from 22 down to 18 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $388 a year across 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 19 / 25.4 | 2009–2013 | $1,745 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 18 / 24 | 2009–2010 | $1,920 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 17 / 22 | 2006–2008 | $2,021 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 17 / 19.3 | 1999–2005 | $2,133 |
What that actually costs
The Suzuki Grand Vitara burns a gallon every 19.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 612 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.163 |
| Fuel per year | $1,959 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,795 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$29 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,206 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Suzuki Grand Vitara gives up 4.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 22.1 out there against 17.7 in town, a 25% drop worth $431 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 | 17.7 mpg | $2,169 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.1 mpg | $1,738 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.4 mpg (25%) | Typical for its type |
How the Grand Vitara changed over the years
The Grand Vitara peaked in 2013 at 22 mpg (19 city, 25 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 18 — 4 mpg apart, or $388 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2013 car does 22. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2012 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2011 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2010 | 18.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2009 | 18.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2007 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2006 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2005 | 17 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2004 | 17 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2003 | 17 / 19 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 17 / 19 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2001 | 17 / 19 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2000 | 17 / 19 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1999 | 17 / 19 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 17 EPA ratings of the Suzuki Grand Vitara — 4 engines across 1999–2013. 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 $3,206. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Suzuki Grand Vitara get?
19.6 mpg combined on average — 17.7 in the city and 22.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1999–2013.
How much does a Suzuki Grand Vitara cost in fuel per year?
About $1,959 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,795 over five years, or 0.163 dollars a mile.
Which Grand Vitara engine is the most economical?
The 2.4L 4-cyl at 22 mpg, against 18 for the 2.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $388 a year.
Is the Grand Vitara good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Grand Vitara 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 Grand Vitara is $3,206 against the $1,959 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 22 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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