- Newest year: 2006
- Gas
- Small cars
2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer MPG & Fuel Cost
3 model years · 18–27 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 small car configurations, MY2006. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer at a glance
The 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer covers 3 model years in the EPA database (20 configurations in all), rated 18–27 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2006, costs about $2,510 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD (26 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2005 and 2006. The best combined rating in the generation, 27 MPG, was reached in 2004.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer by model year
What the 2006 Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$209
$2,510 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.18
Per 100 miles
$16.73
Five years
$12,550
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$1,140less a year
Class median $3,650 a year, MY2006
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer MPG
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 26 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,510.
Gas configurations (7)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,510 |
| Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,610 |
| Lancer 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Lancer 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Sportback | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Evolution 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Evolution 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer MPG
19–26 MPG · $2,510–$4,230/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 moves from 27 to 26 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,420 to $2,510, $90 more.
Gas configurations (7)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 31 | 26 | $2,510 |
| Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Lancer 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Lancer 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Sportback | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Evolution 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,230 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evolution 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,230 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer MPG
19–27 MPG · $2,420–$4,230/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,420 |
| Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Lancer 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Lancer 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Sportback | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Evolution | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,230 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD: $3,420 in California and $2,190 in Texas, a $1,230 difference.
- California $3,420
- Washington $3,170
- New York $2,510
- Florida $2,370
- Texas $2,190
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2006 small car models.
Generations
- 2002-2003
- 2004-2006
- 2007
- 2008-2017 (9th gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
EPA rates the 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer at 18–27 MPG combined across 20 configurations and 3 model years. The most efficient version, the 2004 Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 27 MPG (24 city, 32 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 27 MPG, in 2004. The lowest top rating, 26 MPG, was in 2005 and 2006.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2005 and 2006.
How does the 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2002-2003 Mitsubishi Lancer) is rated 19–26 MPG combined and costs $2,510–$4,230 a year to fuel; the 2004-2006 model is rated 18–27 MPG and costs $2,420–$4,460 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,510 a year. Across all 7 configurations the cost runs $2,510–$4,460 a year. That is a $1,950 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer 100 miles?
About $16.73 per 100 miles for the Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $16.73 and $29.73 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD is rated 23 city and 31 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 8 MPG.
How does the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer compare with other small car configurations?
The Lancer 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,510 a year to fuel, $1,140 less than the class median of $3,650, and less than 9 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 286 rated small car configurations for MY2006, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer different from the 2005 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 26 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,510. EPA lists 7 configurations for 2006 against 7 configurations for 2005. See the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer for that year.