1987 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1987 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 55 EPA-rated 1987 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Renault Alliance/Encore leads at about $1,453 a year (32 MPG), while the Rolls-Royce Camargue is the most expensive to run at $5,812 (8 MPG). The median compact car costs $1,938 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. 1Renault Alliance/Encore32 MPG $1,453
  2. 2Ford Escort31 MPG $1,500
  3. 3Mercury Lynx31 MPG $1,500
  4. 4Ford Escort Diesel35 MPG $1,586
  5. 5Mercury Lynx Diesel35 MPG $1,586
  6. 6Chevrolet Nova28 MPG $1,661
  7. 7Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel33 MPG $1,682
  8. 8Mazda 32327 MPG $1,722
  9. 9Volkswagen Golf/GTI26 MPG $1,788
  10. 10Volkswagen Jetta26 MPG $1,788
  11. 11Toyota Camry26 MPG $1,788
  12. 12Honda Accord26 MPG $1,788
  13. 13Pontiac Sunbird26 MPG $1,788
  14. 14Buick Skyhawk26 MPG $1,788
  15. 15Oldsmobile Firenza26 MPG $1,788

All 55 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Renault Alliance/Encore Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
2Ford Escort Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
3Mercury Lynx Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
4Ford Escort Diesel Diesel 35 MPG — $1,586
5Mercury Lynx Diesel Diesel 35 MPG — $1,586
6Chevrolet Nova Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
7Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Diesel 33 MPG — $1,682
8Mazda 323 Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
9Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
10Volkswagen Jetta Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
11Toyota Camry Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
12Honda Accord Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
13Pontiac Sunbird Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
14Buick Skyhawk Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
15Oldsmobile Firenza Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
16Mazda 626 Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
17Chevrolet Beretta Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
18Chevrolet Corsica Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
19Dodge Shadow Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
20Ford Tempo Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
21Mercury Topaz Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
22Subaru Sedan Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
23Cadillac Cimarron Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
24Dodge Omni Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
25Plymouth Horizon Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
26Renault GTA Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
27Plymouth Sundance Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
28Ford Laser Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
29Pontiac Grand Am Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
30Oldsmobile Calais Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
31Buick Somerset/Skylark Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
32Volvo 240 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
33Nissan Stanza Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
34Saab 900 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
35Mercedes-Benz 300 Diesel Diesel 24 MPG — $2,312
36BMW 5 Series Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
37Acura Legend Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
38Mitsubishi Galant Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
39Merkur XR4Ti Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
40Mcevoy Motors 240 DL/240 GL Sedan Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
41Peugeot 505 Diesel Diesel 23 MPG — $2,413
42Nissan Maxima Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
43Ford Thunderbird Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
44Mercury Cougar Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
45Peugeot 505 Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
46Volkswagen Quantum Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
47Sterling 825 Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
48Volvo 780 Gas 17 MPG — $2,735
49BMW 7 Series Gas 15 MPG — $3,100
50Bitter Gmbh and Co. Kg Bitter SC Gas 15 MPG — $3,100
51Toyota Cressida Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
52Mercedes-Benz 260 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
53Mercedes-Benz 300 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
54Mercedes-Benz 560 Gas 14 MPG — $4,232
55Rolls-Royce Camargue Gas 8 MPG — $5,812

More 1987 rankings

1987 class rankings

This ranking in other years