Against 281 other 4-cyl cars rated 1991–1993, the Festiva beats their 23.9 mpg average by 9.1 mpg, about $443 a year.
Every Ford Festiva engine, compared
The Ford Festiva 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3L 4-cyl | 31 / 38 | 1988–1993 | $1,139 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Nissan Sentra gets 28.7 mpg, the Mitsubishi Eclipse 24 mpg and the Mitsubishi Mirage 30.3 mpg, next to 33 mpg for the 1993 Festiva. The Festiva is the cheapest of them to run: $436 a year less than the Mitsubishi Eclipse.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (1993) | $0.097 |
| Fuel per year | $1,164 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,820 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 1991–1993 | −$443 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,867 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 1993 Ford Festiva gives up 8 mpg in town: 38 on the highway against 30 in the city, $269 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (1993) | 30 mpg | $1,280 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 38 mpg | $1,011 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (27%) | Typical for its type |
How the Festiva changed over the years
The Festiva peaked in 1989 at 35 mpg (33 city, 39 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1993 at 33 — 2 mpg apart, or $67 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1993 car does 33.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1992 | 30 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1991 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1990 | 30 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1989 | 33 / 39 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 1988 | 33 / 39 | 1 | $1,097 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Ford Festiva — 1 engine across 1988–1993. 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 $1,867. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 1993 Ford Festiva get?
33 mpg combined, 30 city and 38 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1988 the Festiva has averaged 33.7 mpg.
Is the 1993 Festiva more efficient than the 1992?
About the same: 33 against 33 mpg combined.
Which Festiva year has the best gas mileage?
The 1989, at 35 mpg combined (33 city, 39 highway).
Does the Festiva get better gas mileage than the Nissan Sentra?
Yes: 33 mpg for the 1993 Festiva against 28.7 for the 1994 Nissan Sentra, about $174 a year less to run.
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