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2005 Isuzu Ascender
Shown: 2005 Isuzu Ascender. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Newest year: 2008
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender MPG & Fuel Cost

6 model years · 14–16 MPG combined

16 MPG
Combined
14 MPG
City
20 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost · 5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD
$4,080

15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)

Cheaper to fuel than 4 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2008. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.

Next generation: 2009

2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender at a glance

The 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender covers 6 model years in the EPA database (27 configurations in all), rated 14–16 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2008, costs about $4,080 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the 5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD (16 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender by model year

2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender: EPA combined rating and yearly fuel cost for each model year
Model yearPowertrainsCombined$/yrEPA ratings
2008 Gas 16 MPG $4,080 Ratings changed
2007 Gas 16 MPG $4,080 Ratings changed
2006 Gas 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360 Ratings changed
2005 Gas 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360 Ratings changed
2004 Gas 14–16 MPG $4,080–$4,670 Ratings changed
2003 Gas 14–16 MPG $4,080–$4,670 First year

What the 2008 5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD costs to drive

Per month

$340

$4,080 a year ÷ 12

Per 25 miles

$6.80

Per 100 miles

$27.20

Five years

$20,400

5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level

vs the standard SUV median

$240more a year

Class median $3,840 a year, MY2008

Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2008 Isuzu Ascender MPG

Versus 2007: The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,080.

Gas · 4.2L
Combined
16 MPG
Per year
$4,080

Gas configurations (2)

2008 Isuzu Ascender gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 14 20 16 $4,080
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 14 20 16 $4,080

2007 Isuzu Ascender MPG

16 MPG · $4,080/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2006: The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,080.

Gas · 4.2L, 5.3L
Combined
16 MPG
Per year
$4,080

Gas configurations (3)

2007 Isuzu Ascender gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 14 20 16 $4,080
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 14 20 16 $4,080
7-passenger 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD 14 19 16 $4,080

2006 Isuzu Ascender MPG

15–16 MPG · $4,080–$4,360/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2005: The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,080.

Gas · 4.2L, 5.3L
Combined
15–16 MPG
Per year
$4,080–$4,360

Gas configurations (6)

2006 Isuzu Ascender gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 14 20 16 $4,080
7-passenger 5.3L 8-cyl RWD 5.3L 8-cyl RWD 14 19 16 $4,080
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 14 20 16 $4,080
7-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 14 19 16 $4,080
7-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 14 19 15 $4,360
7-passenger 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD 13 18 15 $4,360

2005 Isuzu Ascender MPG

15–16 MPG · $4,080–$4,360/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,080.

Gas · 4.2L, 5.3L
Combined
15–16 MPG
Per year
$4,080–$4,360

Gas configurations (6)

2005 Isuzu Ascender gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 14 20 16 $4,080
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 14 19 16 $4,080
7-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 14 19 16 $4,080
7-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 13 18 15 $4,360
7-passenger 5.3L 8-cyl RWD 5.3L 8-cyl RWD 13 19 15 $4,360
7-passenger 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD 13 18 15 $4,360

2004 Isuzu Ascender MPG

14–16 MPG · $4,080–$4,670/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,080.

Gas · 4.2L, 5.3L
Combined
14–16 MPG
Per year
$4,080–$4,670

Gas configurations (6)

2004 Isuzu Ascender gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Ascender 5.3L 8-cyl RWD (Most efficient) 5.3L 8-cyl RWD 14 18 16 $4,080
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 14 19 16 $4,080
Ascender 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 14 19 16 $4,080
5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 14 19 16 $4,080
Ascender 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 13 18 15 $4,360
Ascender 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD 13 17 14 $4,670

2003 Isuzu Ascender MPG

14–16 MPG · $4,080–$4,670/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Gas · 4.2L, 5.3L
Combined
14–16 MPG
Per year
$4,080–$4,670

Gas configurations (4)

2003 Isuzu Ascender gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Ascender 4.2L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 14 19 16 $4,080
Ascender 5.3L 8-cyl RWD 5.3L 8-cyl RWD 14 18 15 $4,360
Ascender 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 4.2L 6-cyl 4WD 13 19 15 $4,360
Ascender 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD 13 16 14 $4,670

Fuel cost by state

Yearly cost of the 5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD: $5,550 in California and $3,560 in Texas, a $1,990 difference.

Gasoline prices: California: California state average; Washington: Washington state average; New York: New York state average; Florida: Florida state average; Texas: Texas state average (Sep 2026).
Fuel cost in every state

Similar cars

Closest combined MPG among MY2008 standard SUV models.

2010 Ford Explorer XLT (U251)

2008 Ford Explorer

16 MPG · $4,080/yr
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 4x4 (GMT900)

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe

16 MPG · $4,080/yr
2007 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ Hagerty parking lot (GMT900)

2008 Chevrolet Suburban

16 MPG · $4,080/yr
2007 GMC Yukon Denali (GMT900)

2008 GMC Yukon

16 MPG · $4,080/yr
EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city / 45% highway · How we calculate

Generations

  • 2003-2008 (2003)
  • 2009
All Isuzu Ascender years All Isuzu models

Frequently asked questions

What gas mileage does the 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender get?

EPA rates the 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender at 14–16 MPG combined across 27 configurations and 6 model years. The most efficient version, the 2008 5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 16 MPG (14 city, 20 highway).

Which years had the best MPG in the 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender?

Every model year of the 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender tops out at 16 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.

Did EPA ratings change during the 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender?

Yes. Ratings changed in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Isuzu Ascender per year?

Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the 5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,080 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $4,080 a year.

How much does it cost to drive a 2008 Isuzu Ascender 100 miles?

About $27.20 per 100 miles for the 5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

Is the 2008 Isuzu Ascender more efficient in the city or on the highway?

The 5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD is rated 14 city and 20 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.

How does the 2008 Isuzu Ascender compare with other standard SUV configurations?

The 5-passenger 4.2L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,080 a year to fuel, $240 more than the class median of $3,840, and less than 4 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 334 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2008, not weighted by sales.

Is the 2008 Isuzu Ascender different from the 2007 model?

The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,080. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2008 against 3 configurations for 2007. See the 2007 Isuzu Ascender for that year.