The Dodge Neon does 27.8 mpg combined (24.5 city, 33.2 highway), which works out to about $1,381 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Dodge Neon engine, compared
The Dodge Neon was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 24.5 / 33.2 | 1995–2005 | $1,381 |
What that actually costs
The Dodge Neon burns a gallon every 27.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 432 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.115 |
| Fuel per year | $1,381 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,905 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$113 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,227 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Dodge Neon gives up 8.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.2 out there against 24.5 in town, a 36% drop worth $410 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 | 24.5 mpg | $1,567 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.2 mpg | $1,157 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.7 mpg (36%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Neon changed over the years
The Neon peaked in 1998 at 29 mpg (25 city, 37 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2001 at 26 — 3 mpg apart, or $153 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2005 car does 28. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2004 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2003 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2002 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2001 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2000 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1999 | 24 / 36 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1998 | 25 / 37 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1997 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1996 | 24 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1995 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 |
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 Neon — 1 engine across 1995–2005. 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 $2,227. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Dodge Neon get?
27.8 mpg combined on average — 24.5 in the city and 33.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2005.
How much does a Dodge Neon cost in fuel per year?
About $1,381 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,905 over five years, or 0.115 dollars a mile.
Which Neon engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 27.8 mpg.
Is the Neon 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 Neon 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 Neon is $2,227 against the $1,381 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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