1997 rankings

Most Fuel-Efficient 1997 Cars

1997 sedans, hatchbacks, coupes and wagons (not plug-in) with the best combined MPG.

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

Combined MPG
  1. 1Geo Metro40 MPG 40 MPG
  2. 2Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel37 MPG 37 MPG
  3. 3Volkswagen Jetta Diesel37 MPG 37 MPG
  4. 4Volkswagen Passat Diesel36 MPG 36 MPG
  5. 5Suzuki Swift35 MPG 35 MPG
  6. 6Honda Civic34 MPG 34 MPG
  7. 7Ford Aspire33 MPG 33 MPG
  8. 8Honda Del Sol31 MPG 31 MPG
  9. 9Mitsubishi Mirage31 MPG 31 MPG
  10. 10Toyota Tercel31 MPG 31 MPG
  11. 11Toyota Corolla29 MPG 29 MPG
  12. 12Toyota Paseo29 MPG 29 MPG
  13. 13Mazda Protege29 MPG 29 MPG
  14. 14Nissan Sentra/200SX29 MPG 29 MPG
  15. 15Dodge Neon29 MPG 29 MPG

Full list

#Model ClassType Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Geo Metro Subcompact CarGas 40 MPG — $1,162
2Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Compact CarDiesel 37 MPG — $1,500
3Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Compact CarDiesel 37 MPG — $1,500
4Volkswagen Passat Diesel Midsize CarDiesel 36 MPG — $1,542
5Suzuki Swift Subcompact CarGas 35 MPG — $1,329
6Honda Civic Subcompact CarGas 34 MPG — $1,368
7Ford Aspire Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
8Honda Del Sol Two-SeaterGas 31 MPG — $1,500
9Mitsubishi Mirage Compact CarGas 31 MPG — $1,500
10Toyota Tercel Subcompact CarGas 31 MPG — $1,500
11Toyota Corolla Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
12Toyota Paseo Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
13Mazda Protege Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
14Nissan Sentra/200SX Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
15Dodge Neon Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
16Plymouth Neon Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
17Suzuki Esteem Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
18Ford Escort Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
19Mercury Tracer Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
20Saturn SW WagonGas 28 MPG — $1,661
21Saturn SC Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
22Toyota Celica Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
23Geo Prizm Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
24Saturn SL Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
25Hyundai Accent Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
26Kia Sephia Compact CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
27Dodge Stratus Midsize CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
28Plymouth Breeze Midsize CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
29Mazda 626 Midsize CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788
30Chevrolet Cavalier Compact CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788

More 1997 rankings

1997 class rankings

This ranking in other years