The Chrysler Stratus does 21.4 mpg combined (18.7 city, 26.2 highway), which works out to about $1,794 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.2L 4-cyl does 24 mpg while 2.6L 4-cyl does 19 — a difference of $421 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Chrysler Stratus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 21 / 28.5 | 1984–1986 | $1,600 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 18 / 26 | 1995–1997 | $1,829 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 18 / 26.7 | 1995–1997 | $1,829 | |
| 2.6L 4-cyl | 18 / 21 | 1985–1985 | $2,021 |
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 | $0.150 |
| Fuel per year | $1,794 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,970 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$282 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,917 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 | 18.7 mpg | $2,053 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.2 mpg | $1,466 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.5 mpg (40%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Stratus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 18 / 27 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1996 | 18 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1995 | 18 / 26 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1986 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1985 | 18 / 21 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1984 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 |
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 Chrysler Stratus get?
21.4 mpg combined on average — 18.7 in the city and 26.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1997.
How much does a Chrysler Stratus cost in fuel per year?
About $1,794 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,970 over five years, or 0.150 dollars a mile.
Which Stratus engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 24 mpg, against 19 for the 2.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $421 a year.
Is the Stratus good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 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.