Against 369 other V8 cars rated 2007–2009, the XLR beats their 15.8 mpg average by 2.2 mpg, about $297 a year.
Every Cadillac XLR engine, compared
The Cadillac XLR was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 15 / 23.5 | 2004–2009 | $2,133 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Mazda MX-5 gets 24 mpg, the Nissan 350Z 20 mpg and the Honda S2000 21 mpg, next to 18 mpg for the 2009 XLR. The XLR costs the most of them to run: $533 a year more than the Mazda MX-5.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2009) | $0.178 |
| Fuel per year | $2,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,665 |
| Against other V8 cars, 2007–2009 | −$297 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,300 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2009 Cadillac XLR gives up 9 mpg in town: 24 on the highway against 15 in the city, $960 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2009) | 15 mpg | $2,560 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24 mpg | $1,600 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9 mpg (60%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the XLR changed over the years
Combined figure across the 6 model years the XLR was rated in, all of them at 18 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 15 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2008 | 15 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2007 | 15 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2006 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2005 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2004 | 15 / 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 6 EPA ratings of the Cadillac XLR — 1 engine across 2004–2009. 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 $4,300. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2009 Cadillac XLR get?
18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2004 the XLR has averaged 18 mpg.
Is the 2009 XLR more efficient than the 2008?
About the same: 18 against 18 mpg combined.
Does the XLR get better gas mileage than the Mazda MX-5?
No: 18 mpg for the 2009 XLR against 24 for the 2010 Mazda MX-5, about $533 a year more to run.
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