1989 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1989 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 61 EPA-rated 1989 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Geo Metro 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 $2,022 a year to fuel. The class includes 0 electric and 2 hybrid or plug-in models.

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. 1Geo Metro47 MPG $989
  2. 2Chevrolet Sprint41 MPG $1,134
  3. 3Pontiac Firefly41 MPG $1,134
  4. 4Suzuki Swift41 MPG $1,134
  5. 5Ford Festiva35 MPG $1,329
  6. 6Daihatsu Charade34 MPG $1,368
  7. 7Toyota Tercel33 MPG $1,409
  8. 8Isuzu I-Mark33 MPG $1,409
  9. 9Pontiac Sunburst33 MPG $1,409
  10. 10Geo Spectrum33 MPG $1,409
  11. 11Subaru Justy31 MPG $1,500
  12. 12Plymouth Colt30 MPG $1,550
  13. 13Dodge Colt30 MPG $1,550
  14. 14Mitsubishi Mirage30 MPG $1,550
  15. 15Toyota Corolla28 MPG $1,661

All 61 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Geo Metro Gas 47 MPG — $989
2Chevrolet Sprint Gas 41 MPG — $1,134
3Pontiac Firefly Gas 41 MPG — $1,134
4Suzuki Swift Gas 41 MPG — $1,134
5Ford Festiva Gas 35 MPG — $1,329
6Daihatsu Charade Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
7Toyota Tercel Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
8Isuzu I-Mark Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
9Pontiac Sunburst Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
10Geo Spectrum Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
11Subaru Justy Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
12Plymouth Colt Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
13Dodge Colt Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
14Mitsubishi Mirage Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
15Toyota Corolla Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
16Hyundai Excel Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
17Mitsubishi Precis Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
18Pontiac Sunbird Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
19Geo Prizm Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
20Nissan Pulsar NX Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
21Yugo GV/GVX Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
22Acura Integra Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
23Chrysler LeBaron Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
24Toyota Celica Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
25Dodge Shadow Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
26Subaru Hatchback Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
27Plymouth Sundance Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
28Dodge Daytona Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
29Volkswagen Fox Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
30Subaru XT Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
31Volkswagen Cabriolet Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
32Mercedes-Benz 190 Diesel Diesel 27 MPG — $2,056
33Audi 80/90 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
34Ford Mustang Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
35Honda Prelude Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
36Isuzu Impulse Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
37Chevrolet Camaro Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
38Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
39Nissan 240SX Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
40BMW 3 Series Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
41Chevrolet Camaro Hybrid Hybrid 18 MPG — $2,583
42Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Hybrid Hybrid 18 MPG — $2,583
43Alfa Romeo Milano Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
44BMW 6 Series Gas 16 MPG — $2,906
45Saleen SSC Gas 16 MPG — $2,906
46Mercedes-Benz 190 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
47Porsche 944 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
48Porsche 911 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
49Toyota Supra Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
50BMW M Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
51Mitsubishi Starion Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
52Chrysler Conquest Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
53Ferrari 3.2 Mondial/Cabriolet Gas 14 MPG — $3,321
54Porsche 928 Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
55Maserati 225 Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
56Maserati 222E Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
57Maserati 430 Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
58Ferrari Mondial T/Cabriolet Gas 13 MPG — $4,558
59Rolls-Royce Corniche/Continental Gas 10 MPG — $4,650
60Aston Martin Lagonda Gas 9 MPG — $5,167
61Aston Martin Saloon/Vantage/Volante Gas 9 MPG — $5,167

More 1989 rankings

1989 class rankings

This ranking in other years