The Pontiac Solstice does 22 mpg combined (19 city, 27.4 highway), which works out to about $1,745 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 22.3 mpg while 2.4L 4-cyl does 21 — a difference of $107 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Pontiac Solstice engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Pontiac Solstice ranges from 22.3 down to 21 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $107 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 19 / 28.3 | 2007–2010 | $1,722 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 19 / 24 | 2006–2006 | $1,829 |
What that actually costs
The Pontiac Solstice burns a gallon every 22 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 545 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,745 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,725 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$251 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,370 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Pontiac Solstice gives up 8.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.4 out there against 19 in town, a 44% drop worth $620 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 | 19 mpg | $2,021 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.4 mpg | $1,401 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.4 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Solstice changed over the years
The Solstice peaked in 2010 at 23 mpg (19 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 21 — 2 mpg apart, or $159 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2010 car does 23. 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 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2009 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2008 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2007 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2006 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Pontiac Solstice — 2 engines across 2006–2010. 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 $3,370. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Pontiac Solstice get?
22 mpg combined on average — 19 in the city and 27.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2006–2010.
How much does a Pontiac Solstice cost in fuel per year?
About $1,745 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,725 over five years, or 0.145 dollars a mile.
Which Solstice engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 22.3 mpg, against 21 for the 2.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $107 a year.
Is the Solstice 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 Solstice 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 Solstice is $3,370 against the $1,745 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 23 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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