The Chevrolet Nova does 28.8 mpg combined (25.8 city, 33.3 highway), which works out to about $1,333 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Nova engine, compared
The Chevrolet Nova 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 25.8 / 33.3 | 1985–1988 | $1,333 |
What that actually costs
The Chevrolet Nova burns a gallon every 28.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 417 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.111 |
| Fuel per year | $1,333 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,665 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$161 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,163 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chevrolet Nova gives up 7.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.3 out there against 25.8 in town, a 29% drop worth $335 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 | 25.8 mpg | $1,488 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.3 mpg | $1,153 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.5 mpg (29%) | Typical for its type |
How the Nova changed over the years
The Nova peaked in 1988 at 29 mpg (26 city, 33 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1987 at 28 — 1 mpg apart, or $47 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1988 car does 29. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1987 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1986 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1985 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 |
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 Chevrolet Nova — 1 engine across 1985–1988. 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 $2,163. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Nova get?
28.8 mpg combined on average — 25.8 in the city and 33.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1985–1988.
How much does a Chevrolet Nova cost in fuel per year?
About $1,333 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,665 over five years, or 0.111 dollars a mile.
Which Nova engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 28.8 mpg.
Is the Nova good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Nova 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 Nova is $2,163 against the $1,333 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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