The Buick Terraza does 18.8 mpg combined (16 city, 23 highway), which works out to about $2,043 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.9L 6-cyl does 19 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 18.5 — a difference of $55 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Buick Terraza engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Buick Terraza ranges from 19 down to 18.5 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 16 / 23 | 2007–2008 | $2,021 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 16 / 23 | 2005–2006 | $2,076 |
What that actually costs
The Buick Terraza burns a gallon every 18.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 638 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.170 |
| Fuel per year | $2,043 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,215 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$113 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,338 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Buick Terraza gives up 7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 23 out there against 16 in town, a 44% drop worth $730 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 | 16 mpg | $2,400 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23 mpg | $1,670 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Terraza changed over the years
The Terraza peaked in 2008 at 19 mpg (16 city, 23 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 18 — 1 mpg apart, or $112 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2008 car does 19. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2007 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2006 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2005 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 4 EPA ratings of the Buick Terraza — 2 engines across 2005–2008. 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 $3,338. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Buick Terraza get?
18.8 mpg combined on average — 16 in the city and 23 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2005–2008.
How much does a Buick Terraza cost in fuel per year?
About $2,043 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,215 over five years, or 0.170 dollars a mile.
Which Terraza engine is the most economical?
The 3.9L 6-cyl at 19 mpg, against 18.5 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $55 a year.
Is the Terraza 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 Terraza 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 Terraza is $3,338 against the $2,043 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 19 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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