The Chrysler Viper does 20.8 mpg combined (18.2 city, 25.3 highway), which works out to about $1,846 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 18.3 — a difference of $498 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Chrysler Viper 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 4-cyl | 20 / 26 | 1991–1991 | $1,745 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 18 / 26 | 1995–1997 | $1,829 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 18 / 26.7 | 1995–1997 | $1,829 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 17.7 / 25 | 1992–1994 | $1,892 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 24 | 1991–1991 | $1,920 | |
| 2.6L 4-cyl | 16.7 / 21.7 | 1985–1988 | $2,098 |
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 | $0.154 |
| Fuel per year | $1,846 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,230 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$334 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,125 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 | 18.2 mpg | $2,110 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25.3 mpg | $1,518 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.1 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Viper 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 | |
| 1994 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1993 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1992 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1991 | 19 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 1988 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1987 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 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 Viper get?
20.8 mpg combined on average — 18.2 in the city and 25.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1997.
How much does a Chrysler Viper cost in fuel per year?
About $1,846 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,230 over five years, or 0.154 dollars a mile.
Which Viper engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 24 mpg, against 18.3 for the 2.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $498 a year.
Is the Viper 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.