1985 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1985 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 63 EPA-rated 1985 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Chevrolet Sprint leads at about $1,107 a year (42 MPG), while the Aston Martin Saloon/Vantage/Volante is the most expensive to run at $5,812 (8 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. 1Chevrolet Sprint42 MPG $1,107
  2. 2Pontiac Firefly42 MPG $1,107
  3. 3Suzuki SA 31042 MPG $1,107
  4. 4Isuzu 750C/I-Mark35 MPG $1,329
  5. 5Chevrolet Spectrum35 MPG $1,329
  6. 6Dodge Colt34 MPG $1,368
  7. 7Mitsubishi Mirage34 MPG $1,368
  8. 8Nissan Sentra Diesel40 MPG $1,388
  9. 9Plymouth Colt33 MPG $1,409
  10. 10Chevrolet Chevette Diesel36 MPG $1,542
  11. 11Pontiac 1000 Diesel36 MPG $1,542
  12. 12Dodge Charger30 MPG $1,550
  13. 13Nissan Sentra30 MPG $1,550
  14. 14Nissan Pulsar/Pulsar-NX30 MPG $1,550
  15. 15Ford Laser30 MPG $1,550

All 63 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Chevrolet Sprint Gas 42 MPG — $1,107
2Pontiac Firefly Gas 42 MPG — $1,107
3Suzuki SA 310 Gas 42 MPG — $1,107
4Isuzu 750C/I-Mark Gas 35 MPG — $1,329
5Chevrolet Spectrum Gas 35 MPG — $1,329
6Dodge Colt Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
7Mitsubishi Mirage Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
8Nissan Sentra Diesel Diesel 40 MPG — $1,388
9Plymouth Colt Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
10Chevrolet Chevette Diesel Diesel 36 MPG — $1,542
11Pontiac 1000 Diesel Diesel 36 MPG — $1,542
12Dodge Charger Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
13Nissan Sentra Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
14Nissan Pulsar/Pulsar-NX Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
15Ford Laser Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
16Mazda GLC Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
17Plymouth Turismo Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
18Toyota Corolla Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
19Subaru Hatchback Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
20Pontiac Sunbird Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
21Chevrolet Chevette Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
22Pontiac 1000 Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
23Honda Accord Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
24Mercedes-Benz 190 Diesel Diesel 30 MPG — $1,850
25Subaru XT Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
26Mitsubishi Cordia Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
27Mitsubishi Tredia Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
28Honda Prelude Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
29Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
30Toyota Celica Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
31Dodge Daytona Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
32Audi 4000 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
33Chrysler Laser Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
34Subaru RX Turbo Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
35BMW 3 Series Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
36Mercury Capri Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
37Chevrolet Camaro Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
38Ford Mustang Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
39Isuzu I-Mark Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
40Volkswagen Cabriolet Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
41Renault Fuego Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
42Volkswagen Scirocco Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
43Nissan 200SX Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
44Isuzu Impulse Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
45Dodge 600 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
46Mercedes-Benz 190 Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
47Porsche 944 Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
48Audi Coupe GT Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
49Alfa Romeo GT Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
50Chevrolet Camaro Hybrid Hybrid 17 MPG — $2,735
51Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Hybrid Hybrid 17 MPG — $2,735
52BMW 6 Series Gas 17 MPG — $2,735
53Audi Quattro Gas 17 MPG — $2,735
54Jaguar XJ Gas 15 MPG — $3,100
55Dodge Conquest Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
56Mitsubishi Starion Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
57Plymouth Conquest Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
58Maserati Biturbo Gas 14 MPG — $3,321
59Jaguar XJS Gas 13 MPG — $3,577
60Ferrari Mondial Gas 11 MPG — $4,227
61Rolls-Royce Corniche/Continental Gas 8 MPG — $5,812
62Aston Martin Lagonda Gas 8 MPG — $5,812
63Aston Martin Saloon/Vantage/Volante Gas 8 MPG — $5,812

More 1985 rankings

1985 class rankings

This ranking in other years