1989 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1989 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 42 EPA-rated 1989 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. 3Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel34 MPG $1,632
  4. 4Volkswagen Jetta Diesel34 MPG $1,632
  5. 5Eagle Summit28 MPG $1,661
  6. 6Mercury Tracer27 MPG $1,722
  7. 7Mazda 32327 MPG $1,722
  8. 8Chevrolet Cavalier26 MPG $1,788
  9. 9Buick Skyhawk26 MPG $1,788
  10. 10Dodge Omni26 MPG $1,788
  11. 11Plymouth Horizon26 MPG $1,788
  12. 12Volkswagen Golf/GTI25 MPG $1,860
  13. 13Volkswagen Jetta25 MPG $1,860
  14. 14Toyota Camry25 MPG $1,860
  15. 15Chevrolet Beretta25 MPG $1,860

All 42 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Ford Escort Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
2Pontiac Lemans Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
3Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Diesel 34 MPG — $1,632
4Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Diesel 34 MPG — $1,632
5Eagle Summit Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
6Mercury Tracer Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
7Mazda 323 Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
8Chevrolet Cavalier Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
9Buick Skyhawk Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
10Dodge Omni Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
11Plymouth Horizon 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
15Chevrolet Beretta Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
16Pontiac Grand Am Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
17Subaru Sedan Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
18Ford Laser Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
19Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
20Honda Accord Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
21Ford Probe Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
22Buick Skylark Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
23Ford Tempo Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
24Mercury Topaz Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
25Mitsubishi Galant Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
26Saab 900 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
27Nissan Stanza Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
28Volvo 240 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
29Dodge CSX Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
30Acura Legend Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
31Merkur XR4Ti Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
32Peugeot 405 Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
33BMW 5 Series Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
34Peugeot 505 Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
35Volvo 780 Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
36Sterling 827 Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
37Mitsubishi Sigma Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
38Mercedes-Benz 300 Gas 15 MPG — $3,100
39Toyota Cressida Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
40Mercedes-Benz 260 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
41Jaguar XJ Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
42Mercedes-Benz 560 Gas 14 MPG — $4,232

More 1989 rankings

1989 class rankings

This ranking in other years