Audi 4000 MPG — Gas Mileage by Engine and Year

Quick answer

Against 295 other 4-cyl cars rated 1985–1987, the 4000 trails their 24.7 mpg average by 4.2 mpg, about $318 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 1.8L 4-cyl (1984–1987), does 24 mpg and the thirstiest, the 2.2L 5-cyl (1984–1987), 17.8: $557 a year apart.

Every Audi 4000 engine, compared

Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.01·Audi 4000 gas mileage by engine
Engine	Combined	City / Highway	Years	Fuel per year
1.8L 4-cyl	24	21.5 / 28	1984–1987	$1,600
2.2L 5-cyl	17.8	16 / 20	1984–1987	$2,157

ROWS 2·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

What that actually costs

FIG.02·Audi 4000 fuel cost
Measure	Value
Cost per mile (1987)	$0.156
Fuel per year	$1,873
Fuel over five years	$9,365
Against other 4-cyl cars, 1985–1987	+$318 a year
EPA's own estimate	$3,050 a year

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

City or highway — who is this car for

The 1987 Audi 4000 gives up 5 mpg in town: 24 on the highway against 19 in the city, $421 a year if every mile were city driving.

FIG.03·Audi 4000 city versus highway
Measure	Value	Reading
City (1987)	19 mpg	$2,021 a year if you only drive in town
Highway	24 mpg	$1,600 a year if you mostly commute
Gap	+5 mpg (26%)	Typical for its type

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

How the 4000 changed over the years

The 4000 peaked in 1986 at 21 mpg (19 city, 24 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1987 at 20.5 — 0.5 mpg apart, or $44 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1987 car does 20.5.

FIG.04·Audi 4000 gas mileage by model year
Model year	Combined	City / Highway	Engines offered	Fuel per year
1987	20.5	19 / 24	2	$1,873
1986	21	19 / 24	2	$1,829
1985	21	18.5 / 23.5	2	$1,829
1984	21	18.5 / 24.5	2	$1,829

ROWS 4·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

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How we count

This page rests on 8 EPA ratings of the Audi 4000 — 2 engines across 1984–1987. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,050. Full method.

Everything on the Audi 4000

Recalls11 campaigns Reliability3.5/5 Common problems16 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Cargo space13 cu ft Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car1981–1987

Frequently asked questions

What mpg does the 1987 Audi 4000 get?

20.5 mpg combined, 19 city and 24 highway, per EPA; its 2 versions that year range from 17 to 24. Across every year since 1984 the 4000 has averaged 20.9 mpg.

Is the 1987 4000 more efficient than the 1986?

About the same: 20.5 against 21 mpg combined.

Gas mileage ratings from EPA fueleconomy.gov, unadjusted. Running cost computed by ForCar at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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