The Dodge Colt does 31.1 mpg combined (28.7 city, 35 highway), which works out to about $1,235 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.4L 4-cyl does 34 mpg while 1.5L 4-cyl does 30.8 — a difference of $118 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Dodge Colt engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Dodge Colt ranges from 34 down to 30.8 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $118 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl | 31 / 37 | 1984–1984 | $1,129 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 28.5 / 34.8 | 1985–1994 | $1,247 |
What that actually costs
The Dodge Colt burns a gallon every 31.1 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 386 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.103 |
| Fuel per year | $1,235 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,175 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$259 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,014 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Dodge Colt gives up 6.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 35 out there against 28.7 in town, a 22% drop worth $241 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 | 28.7 mpg | $1,338 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35 mpg | $1,097 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.3 mpg (22%) | Typical for its type |
How the Colt changed over the years
The Colt peaked in 1985 at 34 mpg (31 city, 37 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1992 at 29 — 5 mpg apart, or $195 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1994 car does 31. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 1993 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 1992 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1991 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1990 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1989 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1988 | 29 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 1987 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 1986 | 31 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1985 | 31 / 37 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 1984 | 31 / 37 | 1 | $1,129 |
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 Dodge Colt — 2 engines across 1984–1994. 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 $2,014. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Dodge Colt get?
31.1 mpg combined on average — 28.7 in the city and 35 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1994.
How much does a Dodge Colt cost in fuel per year?
About $1,235 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,175 over five years, or 0.103 dollars a mile.
Which Colt engine is the most economical?
The 1.4L 4-cyl at 34 mpg, against 30.8 for the 1.5L 4-cyl — a difference of about $118 a year.
Is the Colt good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Colt figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Dodge Colt is $2,014 against the $1,235 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 34 and 29 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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