The Lincoln Mark does 18.6 mpg combined (15.9 city, 23.3 highway), which works out to about $2,065 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.4L 6-cyl does 23 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 17.9 — a difference of $475 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Lincoln Mark engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Lincoln Mark ranges from 23 down to 17.9 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $475 a year across 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 6-cyl | 20.5 / 27.5 | 1984–1985 | $1,670 | |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 15.8 / 23.5 | 1993–1998 | $2,098 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 15 / 22.2 | 1984–1992 | $2,145 |
What that actually costs
The Lincoln Mark burns a gallon every 18.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 645 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.172 |
| Fuel per year | $2,065 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,325 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$320 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,732 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lincoln Mark gives up 7.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 23.3 out there against 15.9 in town, a 47% drop worth $767 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 | 15.9 mpg | $2,415 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23.3 mpg | $1,648 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (47%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Mark changed over the years
The Mark peaked in 1984 at 20 mpg (17.5 city, 24.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1998 at 18 — 2 mpg apart, or $213 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1998 car does 18. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 15 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1997 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1996 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1995 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1994 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1993 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1992 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1991 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1990 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1989 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1988 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1987 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1986 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1985 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 1984 | 17.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 17 EPA ratings of the Lincoln Mark — 3 engines across 1984–1998. 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 $3,732. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lincoln Mark get?
18.6 mpg combined on average — 15.9 in the city and 23.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1998.
How much does a Lincoln Mark cost in fuel per year?
About $2,065 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,325 over five years, or 0.172 dollars a mile.
Which Mark engine is the most economical?
The 2.4L 6-cyl at 23 mpg, against 17.9 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $475 a year.
Is the Mark good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world Mark figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Lincoln Mark is $3,732 against the $2,065 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 24 and 16 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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