Against 312 other V8 cars rated 2003–2005, the Thunderbird beats their 15.5 mpg average by 2.5 mpg, about $344 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 3.8L 6-cyl (1984–1997), does 19.5 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3.9L 8-cyl (2002–2005), 17.8: $188 a year apart.
Every Ford Thunderbird engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 / 24.1 | 1984–1997 | $1,969 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 16.8 / 24 | 1984–1988 | $2,000 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 15.5 / 22.8 | 1984–1993 | $2,122 | |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 15.3 / 23 | 1994–1997 | $2,133 | |
| 3.9L 8-cyl | 15.5 / 22.3 | 2002–2005 | $2,157 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Corolla gets 31 mpg, the Lexus IS 20 mpg and the Audi A4 22.5 mpg, next to 18 mpg for the 2005 Thunderbird. The Thunderbird costs the most of them to run: $894 a year more than the Toyota Corolla.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2005) | $0.178 |
| Fuel per year | $2,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,665 |
| Against other V8 cars, 2003–2005 | −$344 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,427 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2005 Ford Thunderbird gives up 6 mpg in town: 22 on the highway against 16 in the city, $655 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2005) | 16 mpg | $2,400 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22 mpg | $1,745 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (38%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Thunderbird changed over the years
The Thunderbird peaked in 1990 at 20 mpg (17 city, 24 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2002 at 17 — 3 mpg apart, or $339 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2005 car does 18.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2004 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2003 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1997 | 15.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1996 | 16 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1995 | 16 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1994 | 16.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1993 | 16 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1992 | 16.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1991 | 16.5 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1990 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1989 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1988 | 16.7 / 24.3 | 3 | $1,949 | |
| 1987 | 16.3 / 24 | 3 | $2,021 | |
| 1986 | 17 / 24 | 3 | $1,990 | |
| 1985 | 16 / 23 | 3 | $2,098 | |
| 1984 | 16.3 / 23 | 3 | $2,098 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
This page rests on 35 EPA ratings of the Ford Thunderbird — 5 engines across 1984–2005. 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 $3,427. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2005 Ford Thunderbird get?
18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the Thunderbird has averaged 18.8 mpg.
Is the 2005 Thunderbird more efficient than the 2004?
About the same: 18 against 18 mpg combined.
Which Thunderbird year has the best gas mileage?
The 1990, at 20 mpg combined (17 city, 24 highway).
Does the Thunderbird get better gas mileage than the Toyota Corolla?
No: 18 mpg for the 2005 Thunderbird against 31 for the 2006 Toyota Corolla, about $894 a year more to run.
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