1985 · Compact Car · Gas

1985 Ford Thunderbird MPG & fuel economy

The 1985 Ford Thunderbird is a compact car offered in 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version returns 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway) on regular gasoline. Across the lineup, combined ratings range from 17 to 19 MPG. Efficiency is unchanged from the 1984 model. Among 52 compact cars rated for 1985, it ranks 40th for lowest fuel cost. At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $2,447 a year to fuel.

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Combined 19 MPG 17 MPG city · 24 MPG hwy

Driving range — not published for this model

Your fuel cost $2,447 15,000 mi/yr · $16.32 per 100 mi

Class rank, 1985 #40 of 52 Compact Cars by fuel cost

What will it cost you?

Your mileage and prices are saved and used across the site.

Miles per year Regular gas $/gal

Fuel average

The 1985 Ford Thunderbird's fuel average is 8.1 km/L (12.4 L/100 km), or 19 MPG combined: 7.2 km/L in the city and 10.2 km/L on the highway.

	MPG	km/L	L/100 km
City	17	7.2	13.8
Highway	24	10.2	9.8
Combined	19	8.1	12.4

How it ranks among 1985 Compact Cars

Full class ranking →

1Ford Escort Diesel40 MPG $1,388
2Mercury Lynx Diesel40 MPG $1,388
3Ford Escort33 MPG $1,409
4Mercury Lynx33 MPG $1,409
5Renault Alliance/Encore32 MPG $1,453
···
40Ford Thunderbird19 MPG $2,447
···
52Rolls-Royce Camargue8 MPG $5,812

1985 ThunderbirdOther compact carsClass median: $1,860/yr

Annual fuel cost at 15,000 miles and default prices; shorter bars cost less.

Thunderbird MPG across model years

Full history →

7 EPA-rated configurations

Configuration	Type	City	Hwy	Combined	Range	Your cost / yr
RWD · 2.3L 4-cyl turbo · 5-speed manual Thunderbird	Gas	17 MPG	24 MPG	19 MPG	—	$2,447
RWD · 3.8L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic Thunderbird	Gas	17 MPG	23 MPG	19 MPG	—	$2,447
RWD · 3.8L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic Thunderbird	Gas	16 MPG	23 MPG	19 MPG	—	$2,447
RWD · 3.8L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic Thunderbird	Gas	16 MPG	20 MPG	18 MPG	—	$2,583
RWD · 3.8L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic Thunderbird	Gas	17 MPG	20 MPG	18 MPG	—	$2,583
RWD · 2.3L 4-cyl turbo · 3-speed automatic Thunderbird	Gas	16 MPG	20 MPG	17 MPG	—	$2,735
RWD · 5.0L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic Thunderbird	Gas	15 MPG	22 MPG	17 MPG	—	$2,735

Specs (most efficient configuration)

Fuel: Regular gasoline
Engine / motor: 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Drivetrain: RWD
Passenger volume: 92 cu ft
Cargo volume: 15 cu ft
Tailpipe CO₂: 468 g/mi

1985 Ford Thunderbird vs. rivals

vs Mercury Cougar 19 MPG · $2,447/yr Same fuel cost vs Merkur XR4Ti 19 MPG · $2,447/yr Same fuel cost vs Peugeot 505 19 MPG · $2,447/yr Same fuel cost vs Nissan Maxima 19 MPG · $2,447/yr Same fuel cost vs Mitsubishi Galant 21 MPG · $2,214/yr Galant saves $233/yr vs Bill Dovell Motor Car Company Dovell 230CE 17 MPG · $2,735/yr Thunderbird saves $288/yr vs Bill Dovell Motor Car Company Dovell 230E 17 MPG · $2,735/yr Thunderbird saves $288/yr vs Toyota Cressida 19 MPG · $3,118/yr Thunderbird saves $671/yr

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Frequently asked questions

What is the gas mileage of the 1985 Ford Thunderbird?

Up to 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway); ratings range from 17 to 19 MPG depending on configuration.

What fuel does the 1985 Ford Thunderbird use?

Regular gasoline.

What is the fuel average in km/L for the 1985 Ford Thunderbird?