1986 rankings

Most Fuel-Efficient 1986 Cars

1986 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. 1Chevrolet Sprint48 MPG 48 MPG
  2. 2Honda Civic46 MPG 46 MPG
  3. 3Nissan Sentra Diesel40 MPG 40 MPG
  4. 4Pontiac Firefly40 MPG 40 MPG
  5. 5Ford Escort Diesel38 MPG 38 MPG
  6. 6Chevrolet Chevette Diesel36 MPG 36 MPG
  7. 7Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel35 MPG 35 MPG
  8. 8Volkswagen Jetta Diesel35 MPG 35 MPG
  9. 9Ford Tempo Diesel34 MPG 34 MPG
  10. 10Mercury Topaz Diesel34 MPG 34 MPG
  11. 11Isuzu I-Mark34 MPG 34 MPG
  12. 12Mercury Lynx Diesel34 MPG 34 MPG
  13. 13Chevrolet Spectrum34 MPG 34 MPG
  14. 14Pontiac Sunburst34 MPG 34 MPG
  15. 15Plymouth Colt33 MPG 33 MPG

Full list

#Model ClassType Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Chevrolet Sprint Subcompact CarGas 48 MPG — $969
2Honda Civic Two-SeaterGas 46 MPG — $1,011
3Nissan Sentra Diesel Subcompact CarDiesel 40 MPG — $1,388
4Pontiac Firefly Subcompact CarGas 40 MPG — $1,162
5Ford Escort Diesel Compact CarDiesel 38 MPG — $1,461
6Chevrolet Chevette Diesel Subcompact CarDiesel 36 MPG — $1,542
7Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Compact CarDiesel 35 MPG — $1,586
8Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Compact CarDiesel 35 MPG — $1,586
9Ford Tempo Diesel Compact CarDiesel 34 MPG — $1,632
10Mercury Topaz Diesel Compact CarDiesel 34 MPG — $1,632
11Isuzu I-Mark Subcompact CarGas 34 MPG — $1,368
12Mercury Lynx Diesel Compact CarDiesel 34 MPG — $1,632
13Chevrolet Spectrum Subcompact CarGas 34 MPG — $1,368
14Pontiac Sunburst Subcompact CarGas 34 MPG — $1,368
15Plymouth Colt Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
16Dodge Colt Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
17Mitsubishi Mirage Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
18Renault Alliance/Encore Compact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
19Toyota Tercel WagonGas 32 MPG — $1,453
20Dodge Charger Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
21Nissan Sentra Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
22Plymouth Turismo Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
23Dodge Omni Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
24Plymouth Horizon Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
25Nissan Pulsar NX Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
26Toyota Corolla Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
27Toyota Camry Diesel Compact CarDiesel 29 MPG — $1,914
28Ford Escort Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
29Subaru Hatchback Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
30Mercury Lynx Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603

More 1986 rankings

1986 class rankings

This ranking in other years