The Audi 80 does 20.6 mpg combined (18.6 city, 23.6 highway), which works out to about $1,864 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 22 mpg while 2.3L 5-cyl does 19.8 — a difference of $194 a year. Against other 5-cyl cars it sits below the average of 21.8 mpg.
Every Audi 80 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Audi 80 ranges from 22 down to 19.8 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $194 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 20.3 / 24 | 1988–1990 | $1,745 | |
| 2.3L 5-cyl | 17.6 / 23.4 | 1988–1992 | $1,939 |
What that actually costs
The Audi 80 burns a gallon every 20.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 583 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.155 |
| Fuel per year | $1,864 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,320 |
| Against other 5-cyl cars | +$103 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,031 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Audi 80 gives up 5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 23.6 out there against 18.6 in town, a 27% drop worth $438 a year. 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 | 18.6 mpg | $2,065 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23.6 mpg | $1,627 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5 mpg (27%) | Typical for its type |
How the 80 changed over the years
The 80 peaked in 1989 at 21 mpg (19 city, 24 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1992 at 20 — 1 mpg apart, or $91 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1992 car does 20. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1991 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1990 | 18 / 23 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1989 | 19 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1988 | 19.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 8 EPA ratings of the Audi 80 — 2 engines across 1988–1992. 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 $3,031. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Audi 80 get?
20.6 mpg combined on average — 18.6 in the city and 23.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1988–1992.
How much does a Audi 80 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,864 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,320 over five years, or 0.155 dollars a mile.
Which 80 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 22 mpg, against 19.8 for the 2.3L 5-cyl — a difference of about $194 a year.
Is the 80 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 5-cyl cars it sits below the average of 21.8 mpg, computed across 217 ratings.
Are these real-world 80 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Audi 80 is $3,031 against the $1,864 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 22 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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