The Ford Fiesta does 32.4 mpg combined (28.8 city, 38.2 highway), which works out to about $1,185 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1L 3-cyl does 35 mpg while 1.6L 4-cyl does 31.2 — a difference of $134 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Ford Fiesta engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Ford Fiesta ranges from 35 down to 31.2 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $134 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1L 3-cyl | 31 / 41 | 2014–2017 | $1,097 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 27.8 / 36.9 | 2011–2019 | $1,231 |
What that actually costs
The Ford Fiesta burns a gallon every 32.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 370 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.099 |
| Fuel per year | $1,185 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,925 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$309 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,938 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Ford Fiesta gives up 9.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 38.2 out there against 28.8 in town, a 33% drop worth $328 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 | 28.8 mpg | $1,333 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 38.2 mpg | $1,005 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.4 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Fiesta changed over the years
The Fiesta peaked in 2017 at 33 mpg (29 city, 39 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2019 at 31 — 2 mpg apart, or $75 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2019 car does 31. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2018 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2017 | 29 / 39 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 2016 | 29 / 38.5 | 2 | $1,182 | |
| 2015 | 29 / 38.5 | 2 | $1,182 | |
| 2014 | 29.5 / 39 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 2013 | 29 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2012 | 29 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2011 | 29 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 13 EPA ratings of the Ford Fiesta — 2 engines across 2011–2019. 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 $1,938. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford Fiesta get?
32.4 mpg combined on average — 28.8 in the city and 38.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2011–2019.
How much does a Ford Fiesta cost in fuel per year?
About $1,185 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,925 over five years, or 0.099 dollars a mile.
Which Fiesta engine is the most economical?
The 1L 3-cyl at 35 mpg, against 31.2 for the 1.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $134 a year.
Is the Fiesta good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Fiesta 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 Fiesta is $1,938 against the $1,185 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 35 and 30 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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