The Ford Laser does 25.8 mpg combined (23.8 city, 29 highway), which works out to about $1,488 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 24.5 — a difference of $220 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Ford Laser engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Ford Laser ranges from 28.5 down to 24.5 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $220 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 26.5 / 32 | 1984–1985 | $1,347 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 22.5 / 27.5 | 1986–1989 | $1,567 |
What that actually costs
The Ford Laser burns a gallon every 25.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 465 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.124 |
| Fuel per year | $1,488 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,440 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$6 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,433 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Ford Laser gives up 5.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 29 out there against 23.8 in town, a 22% drop worth $289 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 | 23.8 mpg | $1,613 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29 mpg | $1,324 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.2 mpg (22%) | Typical for its type |
How the Laser changed over the years
The Laser peaked in 1985 at 30 mpg (27 city, 35 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1987 at 24 — 6 mpg apart, or $320 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1989 car does 25. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 23 / 27 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1988 | 23 / 27 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 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
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Ford Laser — 2 engines across 1984–1989. 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 $2,433. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford Laser get?
25.8 mpg combined on average — 23.8 in the city and 29 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1989.
How much does a Ford Laser cost in fuel per year?
About $1,488 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,440 over five years, or 0.124 dollars a mile.
Which Laser engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 28.5 mpg, against 24.5 for the 1.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $220 a year.
Is the Laser 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 Laser 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 Laser is $2,433 against the $1,488 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 30 and 24 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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