1990 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1990 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 38 EPA-rated 1990 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 $2,022 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. 3Isuzu Stylus30 MPG $1,550
  4. 4Volkswagen Jetta Diesel34 MPG $1,632
  5. 5Mazda 323 Protege28 MPG $1,661
  6. 6Eagle Summit27 MPG $1,722
  7. 7Toyota Camry26 MPG $1,788
  8. 8Chevrolet Cavalier26 MPG $1,788
  9. 9Subaru Loyale25 MPG $1,860
  10. 10Volkswagen Golf/GTI25 MPG $1,860
  11. 11Volkswagen Jetta25 MPG $1,860
  12. 12Chevrolet Beretta25 MPG $1,860
  13. 13Ford Probe24 MPG $1,938
  14. 14Dodge Shadow24 MPG $1,938
  15. 15Ford Tempo24 MPG $1,938

All 38 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Ford Escort Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
2Pontiac Lemans Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
3Isuzu Stylus Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
4Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Diesel 34 MPG — $1,632
5Mazda 323 Protege Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
6Eagle Summit Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
7Toyota Camry Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
8Chevrolet Cavalier Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
9Subaru Loyale Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
10Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
11Volkswagen Jetta Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
12Chevrolet Beretta Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
13Ford Probe Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
14Dodge Shadow Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
15Ford Tempo Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
16Mercury Topaz Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
17Plymouth Sundance Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
18Honda Accord Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
19Buick Skylark Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
20Pontiac Grand Am Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
21Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
22Subaru Legacy/Outback Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
23Mitsubishi Galant Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
24Saab 900 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
25Nissan Stanza Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
26Mercedes-Benz 300 Diesel Diesel 26 MPG — $2,135
27Volvo 240 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
28Peugeot 405 Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
29Acura Legend Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
30Lexus ES Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
31Sterling 827 Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
32BMW 5 Series Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
33Volvo 780 Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
34Mitsubishi Sigma Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
35Toyota Cressida Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
36Mercedes-Benz 300 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
37Jaguar XJ Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
38Mercedes-Benz 560 Gas 14 MPG — $4,232

More 1990 rankings

1990 class rankings

This ranking in other years