The Pontiac Wave does 27.7 mpg combined (24 city, 32.7 highway), which works out to about $1,386 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Pontiac Wave engine, compared
The Pontiac Wave 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 24 / 32.7 | 2005–2009 | $1,386 |
What that actually costs
The Pontiac Wave burns a gallon every 27.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 433 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.116 |
| Fuel per year | $1,386 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,930 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$108 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,267 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Pontiac Wave gives up 8.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 32.7 out there against 24 in town, a 36% drop worth $426 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 mpg | $1,600 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32.7 mpg | $1,174 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.7 mpg (36%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Wave changed over the years
The Wave peaked in 2009 at 30 mpg (27 city, 34 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 26 — 4 mpg apart, or $197 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2009 car does 30.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2006 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2005 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 3 EPA ratings of the Pontiac Wave — 1 engine across 2005–2009. 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 $2,267. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Pontiac Wave get?
27.7 mpg combined on average — 24 in the city and 32.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2005–2009.
How much does a Pontiac Wave cost in fuel per year?
About $1,386 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,930 over five years, or 0.116 dollars a mile.
Which Wave engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 27.7 mpg.
Is the Wave 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 Wave 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 Wave is $2,267 against the $1,386 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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