The Peugeot 405 does 20.8 mpg combined (18 city, 25.8 highway), which works out to about $1,846 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Peugeot 405 engine, compared
The Peugeot 405 was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 18 / 25.8 | 1989–1992 | $1,846 |
What that actually costs
The Peugeot 405 burns a gallon every 20.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 577 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.154 |
| Fuel per year | $1,846 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,230 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$352 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,700 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Peugeot 405 gives up 7.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 25.8 out there against 18 in town, a 43% drop worth $645 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 | 18 mpg | $2,133 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25.8 mpg | $1,488 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.8 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 405 changed over the years
The 405 peaked in 1992 at 21 mpg (18 city, 26 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1989 at 20 — 1 mpg apart, or $91 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1992 car does 21. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1991 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1990 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1989 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 4 EPA ratings of the Peugeot 405 — 1 engine across 1989–1992. 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 $3,700. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Peugeot 405 get?
20.8 mpg combined on average — 18 in the city and 25.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–1992.
How much does a Peugeot 405 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,846 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,230 over five years, or 0.154 dollars a mile.
Which 405 engine is the most economical?
The 1.9L 4-cyl at 20.8 mpg.
Is the 405 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 405 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Peugeot 405 is $3,700 against the $1,846 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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