The Pontiac Sunfire does 25.3 mpg combined (21.6 city, 31.5 highway), which works out to about $1,518 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 Pontiac Sunfire engine, compared
The Pontiac Sunfire 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 21.6 / 31.5 | 1995–2005 | $1,518 |
What that actually costs
The Pontiac Sunfire burns a gallon every 25.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 474 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.126 |
| Fuel per year | $1,518 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,590 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$24 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,473 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Pontiac Sunfire gives up 9.9 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 31.5 out there against 21.6 in town, a 46% drop worth $559 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 | 21.6 mpg | $1,778 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.5 mpg | $1,219 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.9 mpg (46%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Sunfire changed over the years
The Sunfire peaked in 2004 at 27 mpg (23 city, 33 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2001 at 24 — 3 mpg apart, or $178 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2005 car does 26. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2004 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2003 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2002 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2001 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2000 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1999 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1998 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1997 | 22 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1996 | 22 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1995 | 21 / 33 | 1 | $1,536 |
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 Sunfire — 1 engine across 1995–2005. 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 $2,473. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Pontiac Sunfire get?
25.3 mpg combined on average — 21.6 in the city and 31.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2005.
How much does a Pontiac Sunfire cost in fuel per year?
About $1,518 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,590 over five years, or 0.126 dollars a mile.
Which Sunfire engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 25.3 mpg.
Is the Sunfire 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 Sunfire 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 Sunfire is $2,473 against the $1,518 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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