The Ford Escort does 30.9 mpg combined (27.3 city, 36.5 highway), which works out to about $1,243 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 40 mpg while 1.9L 4-cyl does 30.4 — a difference of $303 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Ford Escort 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 Hybrid | 36 / 46 | 1985–1985 | $960 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 26.9 / 36 | 1984–2003 | $1,263 | |
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 26.9 / 36.1 | 1988–1996 | $1,263 |
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 | $0.104 |
| Fuel per year | $1,243 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,215 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$269 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,157 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 | 27.3 mpg | $1,407 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 36.5 mpg | $1,052 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.2 mpg (34%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Escort 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 23 / 28 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2002 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2001 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2000 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1999 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1998 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1997 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1996 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1995 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1994 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1993 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1992 | 27 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1991 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1990 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 1989 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 1988 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 1987 | 31 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 1986 | 34 / 44 | 1 | $1,011 | |
| 1985 | 33.5 / 42.5 | 2 | $1,038 | |
| 1984 | 35 / 47 | 1 | $985 |
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 Ford Escort get?
30.9 mpg combined on average — 27.3 in the city and 36.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2003.
How much does a Ford Escort cost in fuel per year?
About $1,243 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,215 over five years, or 0.104 dollars a mile.
Which Escort engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 40 mpg, against 30.4 for the 1.9L 4-cyl — a difference of about $303 a year.
Is the Escort 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.