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PR EPA LISTS MILEAGE ESTIMATES FOR 1998 CARS
Release Date: 10/18/97
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EMBARGOED UNTIL 12:01 A.M. EDT, OCTOBER 18, 1997
EPA LISTS MILEAGE ESTIMATES FOR 1998 CARS
Fuel economy estimates for 1998 model-year vehicles published today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rank the subcompact Chevrolet Metro as the most fuel efficient car at 44 miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving and 49 mpg on the highway.
The Lamborghini DB132/144 Diablo four-wheel drive received the lowest fuel economy rating in any vehicle class of 10 mpg city and 13 mpg highway. Land Rover's Range Rover received the lowest fuel economy rating of all the truck classes with 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. (Listings of the cars and light-duty trucks with the highest and lowest mpg ratings are attached.)
High-mileage cars in the top ten also include the Volkswagen Jetta (diesel), Volkswagen Passat (diesel), and Volkswagen Passat Wagon (diesel), another model of the Chevrolet Metro, Suzuki Swift, three Honda Civics, and the Mitsubishi Mirage. Fuel economy estimates for the top ten vehicles range from 44 mpg city/49 mpg highway to 32 mpg city/37 mpg highway. The models in the top ten vary from several subcompacts to one mid-size wagon.
Several models of the Toyota RAV4 two-wheel drive hold the four highest mileages among the top ten light-duty trucks with 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway (light-duty trucks include minivans, sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks). Other top-ten trucks include the two-wheel and four-wheel Chevrolet Tracker Convertible, Chevrolet Tracker Hardtop two-wheel drive, Suzuki Sidekick Two Door two-wheel and four-wheel drive, and the Suzuki Sidekick Four Door two-wheel drive.
There is a large variation in fuel economy available within each class of comparable vehicles. By choosing the highest fuel economy vehicle in a category, drivers can save hundreds, and even thousands of dollars a year in fuel costs. Consumers can use the 1998 Fuel Economy Guide to comparison shop for the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets their needs. The Guide should be available free at all new car dealerships later this fall.
Passenger cars and light trucks account for about 40 percent of U.S. petroleum consumption. EPA said conservation-conscious driving techniques and proper vehicle maintenance will optimize vehicle performance, improve fuel economy and reduce tailpipe emissions for both old and new vehicles. (A list of driving tips to conserve fuel is attached.)
The mpg ratings for individual vehicles appear on window stickers of all new cars prior to sale. The fuel economy labels also provide consumers with information regarding the gas guzzler tax that must be paid for certain vehicles. Purchasers of the Lamborghini DB132/144 Diablo will pay $6,400 gas guzzler tax. By law, light-duty trucks are not subject to the gas guzzler tax.
Fuel economy estimates are generated in conjunction with EPA's vehicle emission testing program. Pre-production vehicles are tested under controlled laboratory conditions, for both emissions and fuel economy. EPA has reported fuel economy comparisons since 1974.
The Fuel Economy Guide for 1998 is available on the Internet at the EPA Website address: https://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/mpg.htm.
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1998 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates
TEN HIGHEST MILEAGE CARS
Model | Engine Description Size/No. of Cylinders | Transmission | City | Highway |
| Chevrolet: Metro* | 1.0 liter (61 CID)/3 | M5 | 44 | 49 |
Volkswagen: Jetta | 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 Turbo Diesel | M5 | 40 | 49 |
Volkswagen: Passat | 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 Turbo Diesel | M5 | 39 | 50 |
Volkswagen: Passat Wagon | 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 Turbo Diesel | M5 | 39 | 50 |
Chevrolet: Metro* | 1.3 liter (79 CID)/4 | M5 | 39 | 43 |
Suzuki: Swift* | 1.3 liter (79 CID)/4 | M5 | 39 | 43 |
Honda: Civic HX | 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 | M5 | 36 | 44 |
Honda: Civic HX | 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 | AV | 34 | 39 |
Mitsubishi: Mirage | 1.5 liter (90 CID)/4 | M5 | 33 | 40 |
Honda: Civic | 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 | M5 | 32 | 37 |
All Models Fuel Injected
*These models equipped with Shift Indicator Light
1998 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates
TEN HIGHEST MILEAGE TRUCKS
Model | Engine Description Size/No. of Cylinders | Transmission | City | Highway |
| Toyota: RAV4 2WD | 2 liter (122 CID)/4 | L4 | 24 | 29 |
Toyota: RAV4 2WD | 2 liter (122 CID)/4 | M5 | 24 | 29 |
Toyota: RAV4 S/T 2WD | 2 liter (122 CID)/4 | L4 | 24 | 29 |
Toyota: RAV4 S/T 2WD | 2 liter (122 CID)/4 | M5 | 24 | 29 |
Chevrolet: Tracker 2WD Conv | 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 | M5 | 24 | 26 |
Suzuki: Sidekick 2 Door | 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 | M5 | 24 | 26 |
Chevrolet: Tracker 4WD Conv | 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 | M5 | 24 | 26 |
Suzuki: Sidekick 4WD 2 Door | 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 | M5 | 24 | 26 |
Chevrolet: Tracker 2WD HardTop | 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 | M5 | 23 | 26 |
Suzuki: Sidekick 4 Door | 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 | M5 | 23 | 26 |
All Models Fuel Injected
*These models equipped with Shift Indicator Light
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