1988 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1988 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 47 EPA-rated 1988 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Ford Escort leads at about $1,453 a year (32 MPG), while the Mercedes-Benz 560 is the most expensive to run at $4,232 (14 MPG). The median compact 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. 1Ford Escort32 MPG $1,453
  2. 2Pontiac Lemans30 MPG $1,550
  3. 3Chevrolet Nova29 MPG $1,603
  4. 4Mercury Tracer27 MPG $1,722
  5. 5Mazda 32327 MPG $1,722
  6. 6Buick Skyhawk27 MPG $1,722
  7. 7Oldsmobile Firenza27 MPG $1,722
  8. 8Chevrolet Cavalier26 MPG $1,788
  9. 9Honda Accord26 MPG $1,788
  10. 10Pontiac Grand Am26 MPG $1,788
  11. 11Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais26 MPG $1,788
  12. 12Volkswagen Golf/GTI25 MPG $1,860
  13. 13Volkswagen Jetta25 MPG $1,860
  14. 14Toyota Camry25 MPG $1,860
  15. 15Buick Skylark25 MPG $1,860

All 47 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Ford Escort Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
2Pontiac Lemans Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
3Chevrolet Nova Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
4Mercury Tracer Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
5Mazda 323 Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
6Buick Skyhawk Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
7Oldsmobile Firenza Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
8Chevrolet Cavalier Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
9Honda Accord Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
10Pontiac Grand Am Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
11Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
12Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
13Volkswagen Jetta Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
14Toyota Camry Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
15Buick Skylark Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
16Chevrolet Beretta Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
17Chevrolet Corsica Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
18Dodge Shadow Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
19Subaru Sedan Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
20Ford Laser Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
21Dodge Omni Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
22Plymouth Horizon Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
23Plymouth Sundance Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
24Ford Tempo Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
25Mercury Topaz Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
26Volvo 240 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
27Nissan Stanza Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
28Ford Thunderbird Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
29Mercury Cougar Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
30Saab 900 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
31Cadillac Cimarron Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
32Merkur XR4Ti Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
33Nissan Maxima Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
34BMW 5 Series Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
35Acura Legend Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
36Peugeot 505 Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
37Volkswagen Quantum Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
38Sterling 825 Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
39Mcevoy Motors 240 DL/240 GL Sedan Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
40Sterling 827 Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
41Jaguar XJ Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
42Mitsubishi Galant Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
43Volvo 780 Gas 16 MPG — $2,906
44Mercedes-Benz 260 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
45Mercedes-Benz 300 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
46Toyota Cressida Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
47Mercedes-Benz 560 Gas 14 MPG — $4,232

More 1988 rankings

1988 class rankings

This ranking in other years