The Chevrolet P - Series does 18.9 mpg combined (16.6 city, 22.3 highway), which works out to about $2,032 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl does 21.2 mpg while 4.1L 6-cyl does 17 — a difference of $448 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg.
Every Chevrolet P - Series engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 18.8 / 25 | 1985–1990 | $1,811 | |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 18 / 22 | 1984–1984 | $1,920 | |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 15.2 / 21 | 1985–1994 | $2,182 | |
| 4.1L 6-cyl | 15 / 19 | 1984–1984 | $2,259 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.169 |
| Fuel per year | $2,032 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,160 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$93 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,417 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 16.6 mpg | $2,313 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.3 mpg | $1,722 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.7 mpg (34%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the P - Series changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1993 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1992 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1991 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1990 | 16.5 / 22 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1989 | 16.5 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1988 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1987 | 17 / 23 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1986 | 18 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1985 | 17.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1984 | 16.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,076 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet P - Series get?
18.9 mpg combined on average — 16.6 in the city and 22.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1994.
How much does a Chevrolet P - Series cost in fuel per year?
About $2,032 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,160 over five years, or 0.169 dollars a mile.
Which P - Series engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl at 21.2 mpg, against 17 for the 4.1L 6-cyl — a difference of about $448 a year.
Is the P - Series good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg, computed across 6170 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.