The Ford Courier does 18.8 mpg combined (17.3 city, 22.0 highway), which works out to about $2,043 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 21.3 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 13 — a difference of $1,151 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Ford Courier 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 19.7 / 24.3 | 1984–1987 | $1,803 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 18 / 23 | 1988–1988 | $1,920 | |
| 4.9L 6-cyl | 15 / 20 | 1985–1985 | $2,400 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 12 / 16 | 1985–1985 | $2,954 |
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 | $0.170 |
| Fuel per year | $2,043 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,215 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$531 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,425 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 | 17.3 mpg | $2,220 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.0 mpg | $1,745 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.7 mpg (27%) | Typical for its type |
How the Courier 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 18 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1987 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1986 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1985 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1984 | 21 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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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 Ford Courier get?
18.8 mpg combined on average — 17.3 in the city and 22.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1988.
How much does a Ford Courier cost in fuel per year?
About $2,043 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,215 over five years, or 0.170 dollars a mile.
Which Courier engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 21.3 mpg, against 13 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $1,151 a year.
Is the Courier good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below 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.