The Ford Laser does 26.3 mpg combined (24.3 city, 30.0 highway), which works out to about $1,460 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.5L 4-cyl does 28.5 mpg while 1.6L 4-cyl does 24 — a difference of $253 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Ford Laser 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 26.5 / 32 | 1984–1985 | $1,347 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 22 / 28 | 1986–1987 | $1,600 |
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 | $0.122 |
| Fuel per year | $1,460 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,300 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$52 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,400 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 | 24.3 mpg | $1,580 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30.0 mpg | $1,280 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.7 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the Laser 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1986 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1985 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1984 | 26 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 |
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 Laser get?
26.3 mpg combined on average — 24.3 in the city and 30.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1987.
How much does a Ford Laser cost in fuel per year?
About $1,460 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,300 over five years, or 0.122 dollars a mile.
Which Laser engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 28.5 mpg, against 24 for the 1.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $253 a year.
Is the Laser 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.