The Nissan 200SX does 24.4 mpg combined (21.2 city, 29.4 highway), which works out to about $1,574 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 29 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 19 — a difference of $697 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Nissan 200SX engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Nissan 200SX ranges from 29 down to 19 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $697 a year across 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 25.5 / 35.5 | 1995–1998 | $1,324 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 20 / 27 | 1984–1988 | $1,670 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 19 / 26 | 1985–1985 | $1,745 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 16 / 23.5 | 1987–1988 | $2,021 |
What that actually costs
The Nissan 200SX burns a gallon every 24.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 492 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.131 |
| Fuel per year | $1,574 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,870 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$80 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,618 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Nissan 200SX gives up 8.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 29.4 out there against 21.2 in town, a 39% drop worth $505 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 | 21.2 mpg | $1,811 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.4 mpg | $1,306 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.2 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 200SX changed over the years
The 200SX peaked in 1998 at 29 mpg (25 city, 35 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1988 at 20.5 — 8.5 mpg apart, or $549 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1998 car does 29. 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 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1997 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1996 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1995 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1988 | 17.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1987 | 17.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 1986 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1985 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1984 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 11 EPA ratings of the Nissan 200SX — 4 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 $2,618. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Nissan 200SX get?
24.4 mpg combined on average — 21.2 in the city and 29.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1998.
How much does a Nissan 200SX cost in fuel per year?
About $1,574 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,870 over five years, or 0.131 dollars a mile.
Which 200SX engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 29 mpg, against 19 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $697 a year.
Is the 200SX good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world 200SX figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Nissan 200SX is $2,618 against the $1,574 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 29 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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