The Nissan Micra does 20.9 mpg combined (18.1 city, 24.8 highway), which works out to about $1,837 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.8L 4-cyl does 22 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 19 — a difference of $276 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Nissan Micra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 19 / 26 | 1985–1985 | $1,745 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 19 / 26 | 1986–1988 | $1,745 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 18.3 / 24 | 1989–1991 | $1,855 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 16 / 23.5 | 1987–1988 | $2,021 |
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 | $0.153 |
| Fuel per year | $1,837 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,185 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$325 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,078 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 | 18.1 mpg | $2,122 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.8 mpg | $1,548 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.7 mpg (37%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Micra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1990 | 18 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1989 | 18 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 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 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
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 Nissan Micra get?
20.9 mpg combined on average — 18.1 in the city and 24.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1985–1991.
How much does a Nissan Micra cost in fuel per year?
About $1,837 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,185 over five years, or 0.153 dollars a mile.
Which Micra engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl at 22 mpg, against 19 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $276 a year.
Is the Micra good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below 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.