1988 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1988 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 55 EPA-rated 1988 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Chevrolet Sprint leads at about $989 a year (47 MPG), while the Aston Martin Saloon/Vantage/Volante is the most expensive to run at $5,167 (9 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 Sprint47 MPG $989
  2. 2Pontiac Firefly39 MPG $1,192
  3. 3Suzuki Forsa39 MPG $1,192
  4. 4Ford Festiva35 MPG $1,329
  5. 5Daihatsu Charade34 MPG $1,368
  6. 6Toyota Tercel33 MPG $1,409
  7. 7Isuzu I-Mark33 MPG $1,409
  8. 8Chevrolet Spectrum33 MPG $1,409
  9. 9Pontiac Sunburst33 MPG $1,409
  10. 10Plymouth Colt31 MPG $1,500
  11. 11Dodge Colt31 MPG $1,500
  12. 12Mitsubishi Mirage31 MPG $1,500
  13. 13Toyota Corolla29 MPG $1,603
  14. 14Nissan Sentra28 MPG $1,661
  15. 15Hyundai Excel28 MPG $1,661

All 55 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Chevrolet Sprint Gas 47 MPG — $989
2Pontiac Firefly Gas 39 MPG — $1,192
3Suzuki Forsa Gas 39 MPG — $1,192
4Ford Festiva Gas 35 MPG — $1,329
5Daihatsu Charade Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
6Toyota Tercel Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
7Isuzu I-Mark Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
8Chevrolet Spectrum Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
9Pontiac Sunburst Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
10Plymouth Colt Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
11Dodge Colt Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
12Mitsubishi Mirage Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
13Toyota Corolla Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
14Nissan Sentra Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
15Hyundai Excel Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
16Mitsubishi Precis Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
17Pontiac Sunbird Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
18Nissan Pulsar NX Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
19Yugo GV/GVX Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
20Acura Integra Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
21Chrysler LeBaron Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
22Toyota Celica Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
23Subaru Hatchback Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
24Subaru XT Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
25Ford Mustang Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
26Mitsubishi Cordia Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
27Mitsubishi Tredia Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
28Volkswagen Fox Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
29Mercedes-Benz 190 Diesel Diesel 28 MPG — $1,982
30Dodge Daytona Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
31Volkswagen Cabriolet Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
32Dacia Coupe Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
33Dacia Sedan Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
34Audi 80/90 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
35Honda Prelude Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
36Nissan 200SX Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
37Volkswagen Scirocco Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
38Isuzu Impulse Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
39Porsche 924 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
40BMW 3 Series Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
41Chevrolet Camaro Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
42Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
43Porsche 944 Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
44Alfa Romeo Milano Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
45Mercedes-Benz 190 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
46BMW 6 Series Gas 15 MPG — $3,100
47Porsche 911 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
48Toyota Supra Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
49Mitsubishi Starion Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
50Chrysler Conquest Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
51Ferrari 3.2 Mondial/Cabriolet Gas 13 MPG — $3,577
52Porsche 928 Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
53Rolls-Royce Corniche/Continental Gas 9 MPG — $5,167
54Aston Martin Lagonda Gas 9 MPG — $5,167
55Aston Martin Saloon/Vantage/Volante Gas 9 MPG — $5,167

More 1988 rankings

1988 class rankings

This ranking in other years