The Audi 100 does 18.7 mpg combined (16.5 city, 21.8 highway), which works out to about $2,053 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.8L 6-cyl does 19 mpg while 2.3L 5-cyl does 18.3 — a difference of $77 a year. Against other 5-cyl cars it sits below the average of 21.9 mpg.
Every Audi 100 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 17 / 22 | 1992–1994 | $2,021 | |
| 2.3L 5-cyl | 16 / 21.7 | 1989–1991 | $2,098 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.171 |
| Fuel per year | $2,053 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,265 |
| Against other 5-cyl cars | +$300 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,725 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 16.5 mpg | $2,327 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 21.8 mpg | $1,761 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.3 mpg (32%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 100 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1993 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1992 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1991 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1990 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1989 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Audi 100 get?
18.7 mpg combined on average — 16.5 in the city and 21.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–1994.
How much does a Audi 100 cost in fuel per year?
About $2,053 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,265 over five years, or 0.171 dollars a mile.
Which 100 engine is the most economical?
The 2.8L 6-cyl at 19 mpg, against 18.3 for the 2.3L 5-cyl — a difference of about $77 a year.
Is the 100 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 5-cyl cars it sits below the average of 21.9 mpg, computed across 390 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.