The Chevrolet SS does 17.3 mpg combined (15.4 city, 19.9 highway), which works out to about $2,220 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 3.6L 6-cyl does 15 — a difference of $1,024 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Chevrolet SS engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Chevrolet SS ranges from 25 down to 15 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $1,024 a year across 5 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 | 24 / 26 | 2018–2018 | $1,536 | |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 14 / 21.5 | 2014–2017 | $2,259 | |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 15.4 / 19.2 | 2020–2024 | $2,259 | |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 14 / 18 | 2020–2021 | $2,400 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 15 / 15 | 2019–2019 | $2,560 |
What that actually costs
The Chevrolet SS burns a gallon every 17.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 694 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.185 |
| Fuel per year | $2,220 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,100 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$165 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,750 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chevrolet SS gives up 4.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 19.9 out there against 15.4 in town, a 29% drop worth $564 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 | 15.4 mpg | $2,494 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19.9 mpg | $1,930 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.5 mpg (29%) | Typical for its type |
How the SS changed over the years
The SS peaked in 2018 at 25 mpg (24 city, 26 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2019 at 15 — 10 mpg apart, or $1,024 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2024 car does 16. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 / 18 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2023 | 15 / 18 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2022 | 15 / 18 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2021 | 15 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2020 | 15 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2019 | 15 / 15 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2018 | 24 / 26 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2017 | 14 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2016 | 14 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2015 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2014 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 13 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet SS — 5 engines across 2014–2024. 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 $3,750. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet SS get?
17.3 mpg combined on average — 15.4 in the city and 19.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2014–2024.
How much does a Chevrolet SS cost in fuel per year?
About $2,220 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,100 over five years, or 0.185 dollars a mile.
Which SS engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 25 mpg, against 15 for the 3.6L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,024 a year.
Is the SS 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 SS 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 SS is $3,750 against the $2,220 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 25 and 15 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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