1985 rankings

Most Fuel-Efficient 1985 Cars

1985 sedans, hatchbacks, coupes and wagons (not plug-in) with the best combined MPG.

Fuel costs assume 15,000 miles a year at $3.10/gal regular, $3.95/gal premium and 18¢/kWh. Each model is shown in its most efficient configuration.

Top 15

Combined MPG
  1. 1Honda Civic43 MPG 43 MPG
  2. 2Chevrolet Sprint42 MPG 42 MPG
  3. 3Pontiac Firefly42 MPG 42 MPG
  4. 4Suzuki SA 31042 MPG 42 MPG
  5. 5Ford Escort Diesel40 MPG 40 MPG
  6. 6Nissan Sentra Diesel40 MPG 40 MPG
  7. 7Mercury Lynx Diesel40 MPG 40 MPG
  8. 8Toyota Corolla Diesel36 MPG 36 MPG
  9. 9Chevrolet Chevette Diesel36 MPG 36 MPG
  10. 10Pontiac 1000 Diesel36 MPG 36 MPG
  11. 11Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel35 MPG 35 MPG
  12. 12Volkswagen Jetta Diesel35 MPG 35 MPG
  13. 13Isuzu 750C/I-Mark35 MPG 35 MPG
  14. 14Chevrolet Spectrum35 MPG 35 MPG
  15. 15Dodge Colt34 MPG 34 MPG

Full list

#Model ClassType Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Honda Civic Two-SeaterGas 43 MPG — $1,081
2Chevrolet Sprint Subcompact CarGas 42 MPG — $1,107
3Pontiac Firefly Subcompact CarGas 42 MPG — $1,107
4Suzuki SA 310 Subcompact CarGas 42 MPG — $1,107
5Ford Escort Diesel Compact CarDiesel 40 MPG — $1,388
6Nissan Sentra Diesel Subcompact CarDiesel 40 MPG — $1,388
7Mercury Lynx Diesel Compact CarDiesel 40 MPG — $1,388
8Toyota Corolla Diesel Compact CarDiesel 36 MPG — $1,542
9Chevrolet Chevette Diesel Subcompact CarDiesel 36 MPG — $1,542
10Pontiac 1000 Diesel Subcompact CarDiesel 36 MPG — $1,542
11Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Compact CarDiesel 35 MPG — $1,586
12Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Compact CarDiesel 35 MPG — $1,586
13Isuzu 750C/I-Mark Subcompact CarGas 35 MPG — $1,329
14Chevrolet Spectrum Subcompact CarGas 35 MPG — $1,329
15Dodge Colt Subcompact CarGas 34 MPG — $1,368
16Mitsubishi Mirage Subcompact CarGas 34 MPG — $1,368
17Ford Tempo Diesel Compact CarDiesel 34 MPG — $1,632
18Mercury Topaz Diesel Compact CarDiesel 34 MPG — $1,632
19Mazda 626 Diesel Compact CarDiesel 33 MPG — $1,682
20Ford Escort Compact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
21Plymouth Colt Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
22Mercury Lynx Compact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
23Toyota Tercel WagonGas 32 MPG — $1,453
24Renault Alliance/Encore Compact CarGas 32 MPG — $1,453
25Volkswagen Quantum Diesel Compact CarDiesel 31 MPG — $1,790
26Dodge Charger Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
27Nissan Sentra Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
28Subaru Sedan Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
29Nissan Pulsar/Pulsar-NX Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
30Ford Laser Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550

More 1985 rankings

1985 class rankings

This ranking in other years