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 25.4 mpg.
Every Ford Fiesta 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
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 | $0.099 |
| Fuel per year | $1,185 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,925 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$327 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,938 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 | 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
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 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 25.4 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.