The Cadillac Brougham does 18 mpg combined (15.3 city, 22.7 highway), which works out to about $2,133 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 5.7L 8-cyl does 18.3 mpg while 5L 8-cyl Hybrid does 17.5 — a difference of $96 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Cadillac Brougham engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Cadillac Brougham ranges from 18.3 down to 17.5 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $96 a year across 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 15.7 / 23 | 1984–1992 | $2,098 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 15.3 / 22.3 | 1987–1990 | $2,133 | |
| 5L 8-cyl Hybrid | 15 / 23 | 1991–1992 | $2,194 |
What that actually costs
The Cadillac Brougham burns a gallon every 18 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 667 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.178 |
| Fuel per year | $2,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,665 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$252 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,550 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Cadillac Brougham gives up 7.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 22.7 out there against 15.3 in town, a 48% drop worth $818 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 | 15.3 mpg | $2,510 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.7 mpg | $1,692 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (48%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Brougham changed over the years
The Brougham peaked in 1984 at 21 mpg (18 city, 26 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1991 at 16.5 — 4.5 mpg apart, or $498 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1992 car does 18. 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 | 15 / 23 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 1991 | 14.5 / 21.5 | 2 | $2,327 | |
| 1990 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1989 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1988 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1987 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1984 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Cadillac Brougham — 3 engines across 1984–1992. 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 $3,550. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Cadillac Brougham get?
18 mpg combined on average — 15.3 in the city and 22.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1992.
How much does a Cadillac Brougham cost in fuel per year?
About $2,133 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,665 over five years, or 0.178 dollars a mile.
Which Brougham engine is the most economical?
The 5.7L 8-cyl at 18.3 mpg, against 17.5 for the 5L 8-cyl Hybrid — a difference of about $96 a year.
Is the Brougham good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world Brougham figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Cadillac Brougham is $3,550 against the $2,133 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 21 and 16 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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