The Dodge Colt does 29.3 mpg combined (26.8 city, 33.7 highway), which works out to about $1,311 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.5L 4-cyl does 30.8 mpg while 2.5L 6-cyl does 21 — a difference of $582 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Dodge Colt 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 28.5 / 34.8 | 1985–1994 | $1,247 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 19 / 30 | 1995–1995 | $1,670 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 18 / 26 | 1995–1995 | $1,829 |
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 | $0.109 |
| Fuel per year | $1,311 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,555 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$201 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,163 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 | 26.8 mpg | $1,433 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.7 mpg | $1,139 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.9 mpg (26%) | Typical for its type |
How the Colt 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 18.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 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 |
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 Dodge Colt get?
29.3 mpg combined on average — 26.8 in the city and 33.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1985–1995.
How much does a Dodge Colt cost in fuel per year?
About $1,311 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,555 over five years, or 0.109 dollars a mile.
Which Colt engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 30.8 mpg, against 21 for the 2.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $582 a year.
Is the Colt good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above 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.