The Dodge Spirit does 21.9 mpg combined (19.2 city, 26.5 highway), which works out to about $1,753 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl does 23.7 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 20.1 — a difference of $290 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Dodge Spirit engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Dodge Spirit ranges from 23.7 down to 20.1 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $290 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 20.7 / 28.9 | 1989–1995 | $1,620 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17.7 / 24.1 | 1989–1995 | $1,910 |
What that actually costs
The Dodge Spirit burns a gallon every 21.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 548 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.146 |
| Fuel per year | $1,753 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,765 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$259 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,864 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Dodge Spirit gives up 7.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.5 out there against 19.2 in town, a 38% drop worth $551 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 | 19.2 mpg | $2,000 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.5 mpg | $1,449 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.3 mpg (38%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Spirit changed over the years
The Spirit peaked in 1993 at 23 mpg (20 city, 27.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1995 at 21.5 — 1.5 mpg apart, or $116 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1995 car does 21.5. 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 | 19 / 25 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1994 | 19.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1993 | 20 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1992 | 19 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1991 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1990 | 19 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1989 | 18.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,786 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 14 EPA ratings of the Dodge Spirit — 2 engines across 1989–1995. 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 $2,864. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Dodge Spirit get?
21.9 mpg combined on average — 19.2 in the city and 26.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–1995.
How much does a Dodge Spirit cost in fuel per year?
About $1,753 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,765 over five years, or 0.146 dollars a mile.
Which Spirit engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl at 23.7 mpg, against 20.1 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $290 a year.
Is the Spirit good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Spirit 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 Spirit is $2,864 against the $1,753 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 25 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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