The Dodge Caravan does 20.2 mpg combined (17.9 city, 23.8 highway), which works out to about $1,901 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 35 mpg while 3.8L 6-cyl does 18 — a difference of $1,036 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Dodge Caravan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 37 / 33 | 1999–1999 | $1,097 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 19.8 / 26 | 1984–1987 | $1,722 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 18.3 / 25.1 | 1988–1995 | $1,837 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 17.6 / 23.8 | 1996–2007 | $1,920 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 17 / 24 | 2003–2008 | $1,949 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 16.9 / 21.9 | 1987–2000 | $2,032 | |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 15.5 / 22 | 2001–2002 | $2,133 |
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 | $0.158 |
| Fuel per year | $1,901 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,505 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$389 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,012 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 | 17.9 mpg | $2,145 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23.8 mpg | $1,613 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.9 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Caravan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2007 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2006 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2005 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2004 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2003 | 17.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2002 | 16 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2001 | 17 / 22 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 2000 | 17 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1999 | 24 / 27 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 1998 | 17.5 / 23 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1997 | 17.5 / 22.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1996 | 17.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1995 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1994 | 17.5 / 23 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1993 | 17.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1992 | 17.5 / 22 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1991 | 17.5 / 22 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1990 | 18 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1989 | 17 / 23 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1988 | 17 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1987 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1986 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1985 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1984 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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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 Dodge Caravan get?
20.2 mpg combined on average — 17.9 in the city and 23.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2008.
How much does a Dodge Caravan cost in fuel per year?
About $1,901 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,505 over five years, or 0.158 dollars a mile.
Which Caravan engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 35 mpg, against 18 for the 3.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,036 a year.
Is the Caravan 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.