1990 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1990 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 56 EPA-rated 1990 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Geo Metro leads at about $989 a year (47 MPG), while the Rolls-Royce Corniche/Continental is the most expensive to run at $5,925 (10 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $1,938 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. 5Daihatsu Charade34 MPG $1,368
  6. 6Ford Festiva33 MPG $1,409
  7. 7Subaru Justy30 MPG $1,550
  8. 8Plymouth Colt29 MPG $1,603
  9. 9Dodge Colt29 MPG $1,603
  10. 10Mitsubishi Mirage29 MPG $1,603
  11. 11Toyota Tercel29 MPG $1,603
  12. 12Geo Storm29 MPG $1,603
  13. 13Nissan Sentra28 MPG $1,661
  14. 14Hyundai Excel28 MPG $1,661
  15. 15Mitsubishi Precis28 MPG $1,661

All 56 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
5Daihatsu Charade Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
6Ford Festiva Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
7Subaru Justy Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
8Plymouth Colt Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
9Dodge Colt Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
10Mitsubishi Mirage Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
11Toyota Tercel Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
12Geo Storm Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
13Nissan Sentra Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
14Hyundai Excel Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
15Mitsubishi Precis Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
16Geo Prizm Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
17Toyota Corolla Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
18Pontiac Sunbird Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
19Toyota Celica Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
20Isuzu Impulse Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
21Nissan Pulsar NX Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
22Subaru XT Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
23Dodge Omni Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
24Plymouth Horizon Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
25Volkswagen Cabriolet Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
26Yugo GV Plus/GV/Cabrio Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
27Mitsubishi Eclipse Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
28Plymouth Laser Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
29Dodge Daytona Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
30Volkswagen Fox Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
31Acura Integra Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
32Ford Mustang Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
33Audi 80/90 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
34Eagle Talon Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
35Honda Prelude Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
36Chrysler LeBaron Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
37Volkswagen Corrado Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
38Nissan 240SX Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
39Chevrolet Camaro Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
40Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
41BMW 3 Series Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
42Chevrolet Camaro Hybrid Hybrid 18 MPG — $2,583
43Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Hybrid Hybrid 18 MPG — $2,583
44Audi Coupe quattro Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
45Saleen SSC Gas 16 MPG — $2,906
46Mercedes-Benz 190 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
47Infiniti M30 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
48Toyota Supra Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
49BMW M Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
50Porsche 944 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
51Porsche 911 Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
52Porsche 928 Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
53Maserati 222E Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
54Maserati 430 Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
55Ferrari Mondial T/Cabriolet Gas 13 MPG — $4,558
56Rolls-Royce Corniche/Continental Gas 10 MPG — $5,925

More 1990 rankings

1990 class rankings

This ranking in other years