The Pontiac G6 does 23.6 mpg combined (20.1 city, 29.8 highway), which works out to about $1,627 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.4L 4-cyl does 25 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 22.5 — a difference of $171 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Pontiac G6 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Pontiac G6 ranges from 25 down to 22.5 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $171 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 21.4 / 31.4 | 2006–2010 | $1,536 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 / 28.5 | 2005–2010 | $1,707 |
What that actually costs
The Pontiac G6 burns a gallon every 23.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 508 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.136 |
| Fuel per year | $1,627 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,135 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$303 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,645 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Pontiac G6 gives up 9.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 29.8 out there against 20.1 in town, a 48% drop worth $621 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 | 20.1 mpg | $1,910 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.8 mpg | $1,289 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.7 mpg (48%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the G6 changed over the years
The G6 peaked in 2010 at 24.5 mpg (20.5 city, 31 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2007 at 22.5 — 2 mpg apart, or $140 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2010 car does 24.5. 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 | 20.5 / 31 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2009 | 20.5 / 31 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2008 | 20 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2007 | 19 / 28 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2006 | 20.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2005 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 |
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 Pontiac G6 — 2 engines across 2005–2010. 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 $2,645. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Pontiac G6 get?
23.6 mpg combined on average — 20.1 in the city and 29.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2005–2010.
How much does a Pontiac G6 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,627 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,135 over five years, or 0.136 dollars a mile.
Which G6 engine is the most economical?
The 2.4L 4-cyl at 25 mpg, against 22.5 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $171 a year.
Is the G6 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world G6 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 G6 is $2,645 against the $1,627 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 26 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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