The Chevrolet Corsica does 22.5 mpg combined (19.7 city, 27.8 highway), which works out to about $1,707 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 25 mpg while 2.8L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $384 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Corsica engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Chevrolet Corsica ranges from 25 down to 20 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $384 a year across 4 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 | 21.7 / 31.3 | 1987–1989 | $1,536 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 21.5 / 29.7 | 1990–1996 | $1,567 | |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 18 / 26.1 | 1990–1996 | $1,855 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 18 / 24.3 | 1987–1989 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
The Chevrolet Corsica burns a gallon every 22.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 533 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.142 |
| Fuel per year | $1,707 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,535 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$223 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,792 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chevrolet Corsica gives up 8.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.8 out there against 19.7 in town, a 41% drop worth $568 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 | 19.7 mpg | $1,949 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.8 mpg | $1,381 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.1 mpg (41%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Corsica changed over the years
The Corsica peaked in 1993 at 23 mpg (20 city, 28.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1995 at 21 — 2 mpg apart, or $159 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1996 car does 22.5. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 19.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1995 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1994 | 20 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1993 | 20 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1992 | 20 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1991 | 19.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1990 | 19.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1989 | 19.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1988 | 20 / 28 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1987 | 20 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 19 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet Corsica — 4 engines across 1987–1996. 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 $2,792. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Corsica get?
22.5 mpg combined on average — 19.7 in the city and 27.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1987–1996.
How much does a Chevrolet Corsica cost in fuel per year?
About $1,707 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,535 over five years, or 0.142 dollars a mile.
Which Corsica engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 25 mpg, against 20 for the 2.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $384 a year.
Is the Corsica good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Corsica figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chevrolet Corsica is $2,792 against the $1,707 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 25 and 20 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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