1989 rankings

Most Fuel-Efficient 1989 Cars

1989 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. 1Geo Metro47 MPG 47 MPG
  2. 2Honda Civic44 MPG 44 MPG
  3. 3Chevrolet Sprint41 MPG 41 MPG
  4. 4Pontiac Firefly41 MPG 41 MPG
  5. 5Suzuki Swift41 MPG 41 MPG
  6. 6Ford Festiva35 MPG 35 MPG
  7. 7Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel34 MPG 34 MPG
  8. 8Volkswagen Jetta Diesel34 MPG 34 MPG
  9. 9Daihatsu Charade34 MPG 34 MPG
  10. 10Toyota Tercel33 MPG 33 MPG
  11. 11Isuzu I-Mark33 MPG 33 MPG
  12. 12Pontiac Sunburst33 MPG 33 MPG
  13. 13Geo Spectrum33 MPG 33 MPG
  14. 14Ford Escort32 MPG 32 MPG
  15. 15Subaru Justy31 MPG 31 MPG

Full list

#Model ClassType Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Geo Metro Subcompact CarGas 47 MPG — $989
2Honda Civic Two-SeaterGas 44 MPG — $1,057
3Chevrolet Sprint Subcompact CarGas 41 MPG — $1,134
4Pontiac Firefly Subcompact CarGas 41 MPG — $1,134
5Suzuki Swift Subcompact CarGas 41 MPG — $1,134
6Ford Festiva Subcompact CarGas 35 MPG — $1,329
7Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Compact CarDiesel 34 MPG — $1,632
8Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Compact CarDiesel 34 MPG — $1,632
9Daihatsu Charade Subcompact CarGas 34 MPG — $1,368
10Toyota Tercel Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
11Isuzu I-Mark Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
12Pontiac Sunburst Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
13Geo Spectrum Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
14Ford Escort Compact CarGas 32 MPG — $1,453
15Subaru Justy Subcompact CarGas 31 MPG — $1,500
16Plymouth Colt Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
17Dodge Colt Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
18Mitsubishi Mirage Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
19Pontiac Lemans Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
20Toyota Corolla Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
21Eagle Summit Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
22Nissan Sentra WagonGas 28 MPG — $1,661
23Hyundai Excel Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
24Mitsubishi Precis Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
25Mercury Tracer Compact CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
26Pontiac Sunbird Subcompact CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
27Mazda 323 Compact CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
28Mercedes-Benz 190 Diesel Subcompact CarDiesel 27 MPG — $2,056
29Chevrolet Cavalier Compact CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788
30Geo Prizm Subcompact CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788

More 1989 rankings

1989 class rankings

This ranking in other years