The Ford Contour does 23.3 mpg combined (19.6 city, 29.2 highway), which works out to about $1,648 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 24.8 mpg while 2.5L 6-cyl does 21.7 — a difference of $222 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Ford Contour engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Ford Contour ranges from 24.8 down to 21.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $222 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 21 / 31 | 1995–2000 | $1,548 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 18.2 / 27.3 | 1995–2000 | $1,770 |
What that actually costs
The Ford Contour burns a gallon every 23.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 515 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.137 |
| Fuel per year | $1,648 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,240 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$154 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,700 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Ford Contour gives up 9.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 29.2 out there against 19.6 in town, a 49% drop worth $644 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 | 19.6 mpg | $1,959 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.2 mpg | $1,315 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.6 mpg (49%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Contour changed over the years
The Contour peaked in 1998 at 23.5 mpg (19.5 city, 30 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2000 at 23 — 0.5 mpg apart, or $36 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2000 car does 23. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 19.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1999 | 19.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1998 | 19.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 1997 | 19.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1996 | 19.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 1995 | 20 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,634 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Ford Contour — 2 engines across 1995–2000. 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 $2,700. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford Contour get?
23.3 mpg combined on average — 19.6 in the city and 29.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2000.
How much does a Ford Contour cost in fuel per year?
About $1,648 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,240 over five years, or 0.137 dollars a mile.
Which Contour engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 24.8 mpg, against 21.7 for the 2.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $222 a year.
Is the Contour 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 Contour figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Ford Contour is $2,700 against the $1,648 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 25 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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