Tank Ledger

Mitsubishi Eclipse Convertible MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Convertible has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1996 to 1999. Across those years its best rated version returned 24 mpg (1997) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (1996). The EPA record holds 16 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Minicompact Cars.

24best combined mpg (1997)
20worst combined mpg (1996)
23latest year best (1999)
16configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1996423 mpg20 mpg#3 of 11 (80th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremium, RegularMinicompact Cars
1997424 mpg20 mpg#3 of 13 (83th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremium, RegularMinicompact Cars
1998423 mpg20 mpg#3 of 12 (82th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremium, RegularMinicompact Cars
1999423 mpg20 mpg#3 of 10 (78th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremium, RegularMinicompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Convertible placed highest in 1996 at #3 of 11, and lowest in 1996 at #3 of 11. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 16 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19992.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd PremiumDOHC-TC, turbocharged182420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19992.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd RegularSOHC182621547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19992.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd RegularSOHC192722522.713.5$2,850403.95454545454544n/a
19992.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd PremiumDOHC-TC, turbocharged202923500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a
19982.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd PremiumDOHC-T/C, turbocharged182420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19982.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd RegularSOHC182621547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19982.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd RegularSOHC192722522.713.5$2,850403.95454545454544n/a
19982.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd PremiumDOHC-T/C, turbocharged202923500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a
19972.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd PremiumDOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged182420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19972.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd RegularS0HC-4 (FFS)182620575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19972.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd RegularS0HC-4 (FFS)192722522.713.5$2,850403.95454545454544n/a
19972.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd PremiumDOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged212924479.212.4$3,250370.2916666666667n/a
19962.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd PremiumDOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged182420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19962.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd RegularSOHC-4 (FFS)182620575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19962.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd RegularSOHC-4 (FFS)192722522.713.5$2,850403.95454545454544n/a
19962.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd PremiumDOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged202923500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1996 → 199723 → 24 mpg+1 mpg479 gal
1997 → 199824 → 23 mpg-1 mpg500 gal

What Eclipse Convertible fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Convertible burns 500 to 575 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,500$1,725$225
$3.50/gal$1,750$2,013$263
$4.00/gal$2,000$2,300$300

EPA’s own estimate for the 1999 model year is $2,850 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Minicompact Cars

Across the 153 nameplates EPA classifies as Minicompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 23 mpg the Mitsubishi Eclipse Convertible is 2 mpg better the median, which is worth about $167 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Mitsubishi nameplates

Every Mitsubishi model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.