Against 295 other 4-cyl cars rated 1985–1987, the Daytona trails their 24.7 mpg average by 3.7 mpg, about $274 a year.
Every Chrysler Daytona engine, compared
The Chrysler Daytona 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 19.7 / 29 | 1984–1987 | $1,648 |
What that actually costs
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (1987) | $0.152 |
| Fuel per year | $1,829 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,145 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 1985–1987 | +$274 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,917 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 1987 Chrysler Daytona gives up 8 mpg in town: 26 on the highway against 18 in the city, $656 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (1987) | 18 mpg | $2,133 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26 mpg | $1,477 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Daytona changed over the years
The Daytona peaked in 1986 at 26 mpg (22 city, 32 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1987 at 21 — 5 mpg apart, or $352 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1987 car does 21. The 1987 model loses 5 mpg against 26 for the 1986.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1986 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1984 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 3 EPA ratings of the Chrysler Daytona — 1 engine across 1984–1987. 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 $2,917. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 1987 Chrysler Daytona get?
21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the Daytona has averaged 23.3 mpg.
Is the 1987 Daytona more efficient than the 1986?
No: 21 against 26 mpg combined, about $352 a year more to run.
Which Daytona year has the best gas mileage?
The 1986, at 26 mpg combined (22 city, 32 highway).
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.