Tank Ledger

Suzuki Samurai MPG by year — every rating on record

The Suzuki Samurai has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1986 to 1995. Across those years its best rated version returned 25 mpg (1986) and its thirstiest returned 25 mpg (1986). The EPA record holds 5 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Special Purpose Vehicles.

25best combined mpg (1986)
25worst combined mpg (1986)
25latest year best (1995)
5configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1986125 mpg25 mpg#3 of 27 (92th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles
1991125 mpg25 mpg#1 of 50 (100th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles
1992125 mpg25 mpg#1 of 50 (100th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles
1993125 mpg25 mpg#1 of 54 (100th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles
1995125 mpg25 mpg#1 of 44 (100th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Suzuki Samurai placed highest in 1991 at #1 of 50, and lowest in 1986 at #3 of 27. It spent 5 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 5 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19951.3L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)242625460.011.9$2,500355.48n/a
19931.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)242625460.011.9$2,500355.48n/a
19921.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)242625460.011.9$2,500355.48n/a
19911.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)242625460.011.9$2,500355.48n/a
19861.3L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)232725460.011.9$2,500355.48n/a

What Samurai fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1995 Suzuki Samurai burns 460 to 460 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$1,380$1,380$0
$3.50/gal$1,610$1,610$0
$4.00/gal$1,840$1,840$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1995 model year is $2,500 to $2,500 a year in fuel, or $1,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Special Purpose Vehicles

Across the 113 nameplates EPA classifies as Special Purpose Vehicles, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 25 mpg the Suzuki Samurai is 4 mpg better the median, which is worth about $307 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Suzuki nameplates

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