The Chrysler Cirrus does 20.7 mpg combined (17.6 city, 26.1 highway), which works out to about $1,855 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.4L 4-cyl does 21 mpg while 2.5L 6-cyl does 20.5 — a difference of $44 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Chrysler Cirrus engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Chrysler Cirrus ranges from 21 down to 20.5 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $44 a year across 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 17.8 / 26.8 | 1995–2000 | $1,829 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 17.5 / 25.5 | 1995–2000 | $1,873 |
What that actually costs
The Chrysler Cirrus burns a gallon every 20.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 580 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.155 |
| Fuel per year | $1,855 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,275 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$75 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,995 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chrysler Cirrus gives up 8.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.1 out there against 17.6 in town, a 48% drop worth $711 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 | 17.6 mpg | $2,182 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.1 mpg | $1,471 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.5 mpg (48%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Cirrus changed over the years
The Cirrus peaked in 1998 at 21 mpg (17.5 city, 26.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2000 at 20 — 1 mpg apart, or $91 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2000 car does 20. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 17 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1999 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1998 | 17.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1997 | 18 / 27 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1996 | 18 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1995 | 18 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 11 EPA ratings of the Chrysler Cirrus — 2 engines across 1995–2000. 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 $2,995. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chrysler Cirrus get?
20.7 mpg combined on average — 17.6 in the city and 26.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2000.
How much does a Chrysler Cirrus cost in fuel per year?
About $1,855 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,275 over five years, or 0.155 dollars a mile.
Which Cirrus engine is the most economical?
The 2.4L 4-cyl at 21 mpg, against 20.5 for the 2.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $44 a year.
Is the Cirrus 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 Cirrus figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chrysler Cirrus is $2,995 against the $1,855 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 22 and 20 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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