1986 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1986 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 61 EPA-rated 1986 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Chevrolet Sprint leads at about $969 a year (48 MPG), while the Rolls-Royce Corniche/Continental is the most expensive to run at $5,812 (8 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $1,938 a year to fuel.

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

Annual fuel cost (lower is better)
  1. 1Chevrolet Sprint48 MPG $969
  2. 2Pontiac Firefly40 MPG $1,162
  3. 3Isuzu I-Mark34 MPG $1,368
  4. 4Chevrolet Spectrum34 MPG $1,368
  5. 5Pontiac Sunburst34 MPG $1,368
  6. 6Nissan Sentra Diesel40 MPG $1,388
  7. 7Plymouth Colt33 MPG $1,409
  8. 8Dodge Colt33 MPG $1,409
  9. 9Mitsubishi Mirage33 MPG $1,409
  10. 10Chevrolet Chevette Diesel36 MPG $1,542
  11. 11Dodge Charger30 MPG $1,550
  12. 12Nissan Sentra30 MPG $1,550
  13. 13Plymouth Turismo30 MPG $1,550
  14. 14Nissan Pulsar NX30 MPG $1,550
  15. 15Subaru Hatchback29 MPG $1,603

All 61 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Chevrolet Sprint Gas 48 MPG — $969
2Pontiac Firefly Gas 40 MPG — $1,162
3Isuzu I-Mark Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
4Chevrolet Spectrum Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
5Pontiac Sunburst Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
6Nissan Sentra Diesel Diesel 40 MPG — $1,388
7Plymouth Colt Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
8Dodge Colt Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
9Mitsubishi Mirage Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
10Chevrolet Chevette Diesel Diesel 36 MPG — $1,542
11Dodge Charger Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
12Nissan Sentra Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
13Plymouth Turismo Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
14Nissan Pulsar NX Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
15Subaru Hatchback Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
16Pontiac Sunbird Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
17Chevrolet Chevette Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
18Pontiac 1000 Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
19Hyundai Pony Excel Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
20Honda Accord Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
21Chrysler LeBaron Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
22Dodge Daytona Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
23Chrysler Laser/Daytona Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
24Chevrolet Cavalier Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
25Acura Integra Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
26Subaru XT Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
27Mitsubishi Cordia Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
28Yugo Gy/yugo GVX Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
29Chevrolet Camaro Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
30Honda Prelude Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
31Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
32Toyota Celica Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
33Audi 4000 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
34Ford Laser Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
35Mitsubishi Tredia Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
36Mercedes-Benz 190 Diesel Diesel 28 MPG — $1,982
37Mercury Capri Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
38Ford Mustang Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
39Volkswagen Cabriolet Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
40Renault Fuego Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
41Volkswagen Scirocco Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
42Dodge 600 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
43Nissan 200SX Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
44Isuzu Impulse Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
45BMW 3 Series Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
46Mercedes-Benz 190 Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
47Porsche 944 Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
48Alfa Romeo GTV Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
49Audi Coupe GT Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
50Porsche 911 Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
51BMW 6 Series Gas 17 MPG — $2,735
52Jaguar XJ Gas 15 MPG — $3,100
53Dodge Conquest Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
54Mitsubishi Starion Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
55Plymouth Conquest Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
56Toyota Supra Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
57Porsche 928 Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
58Jaguar XJS Gas 13 MPG — $3,577
59Maserati Biturbo Gas 13 MPG — $3,577
60Ferrari Mondial/Cabriolet Gas 13 MPG — $3,577
61Rolls-Royce Corniche/Continental Gas 8 MPG — $5,812

More 1986 rankings

1986 class rankings

This ranking in other years