The Buick Rainier does 16.3 mpg combined (14 city, 19.5 highway), which works out to about $2,356 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 5.3L 8-cyl does 16.5 mpg while 4.2L 6-cyl does 16 — a difference of $73 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Buick Rainier engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Buick Rainier ranges from 16.5 down to 16 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $73 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 / 19.3 | 2004–2007 | $2,327 | |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 14 / 19.8 | 2004–2007 | $2,400 |
What that actually costs
The Buick Rainier burns a gallon every 16.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 736 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.196 |
| Fuel per year | $2,356 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,780 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$426 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,838 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Buick Rainier gives up 5.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 19.5 out there against 14 in town, a 39% drop worth $774 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 | 14 mpg | $2,743 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19.5 mpg | $1,969 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.5 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Rainier changed over the years
The Rainier peaked in 2007 at 16.5 mpg (14 city, 20 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 16 — 0.5 mpg apart, or $73 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2007 car does 16.5. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 14 / 20 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 2006 | 14 / 20 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 2005 | 14 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2004 | 14 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,400 |
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 Buick Rainier — 2 engines across 2004–2007. 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 $3,838. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Buick Rainier get?
16.3 mpg combined on average — 14 in the city and 19.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2007.
How much does a Buick Rainier cost in fuel per year?
About $2,356 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,780 over five years, or 0.196 dollars a mile.
Which Rainier engine is the most economical?
The 5.3L 8-cyl at 16.5 mpg, against 16 for the 4.2L 6-cyl — a difference of about $73 a year.
Is the Rainier good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Rainier figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Buick Rainier is $3,838 against the $2,356 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 17 and 16 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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