The Pontiac G5 does 28.5 mpg combined (24.3 city, 35 highway), which works out to about $1,347 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.2L 4-cyl does 29.7 mpg while 2.4L 4-cyl does 25 — a difference of $243 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Pontiac G5 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Pontiac G5 ranges from 29.7 down to 25 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $243 a year across 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 25 / 36.3 | 2008–2010 | $1,293 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 22 / 31 | 2007–2007 | $1,536 |
What that actually costs
The Pontiac G5 burns a gallon every 28.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 421 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.112 |
| Fuel per year | $1,347 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,735 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$147 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,363 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Pontiac G5 gives up 10.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 35 out there against 24.3 in town, a 44% drop worth $483 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 | 24.3 mpg | $1,580 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35 mpg | $1,097 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +10.7 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the G5 changed over the years
The G5 peaked in 2010 at 30 mpg (25 city, 37 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2007 at 25 — 5 mpg apart, or $256 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2010 car does 30. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 25 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2009 | 25 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2008 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2007 | 22 / 31 | 1 | $1,536 |
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 Pontiac G5 — 2 engines across 2007–2010. 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 $2,363. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Pontiac G5 get?
28.5 mpg combined on average — 24.3 in the city and 35 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2007–2010.
How much does a Pontiac G5 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,347 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,735 over five years, or 0.112 dollars a mile.
Which G5 engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 29.7 mpg, against 25 for the 2.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $243 a year.
Is the G5 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world G5 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Pontiac G5 is $2,363 against the $1,347 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 30 and 25 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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