The Toyota Previa does 17.7 mpg combined (16.1 city, 20.1 highway), which works out to about $2,169 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 Toyota Previa engine, compared
The Toyota Previa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 16.1 / 20.1 | 1991–1997 | $2,169 |
What that actually costs
The Toyota Previa burns a gallon every 17.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 678 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.181 |
| Fuel per year | $2,169 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,845 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$675 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,507 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Toyota Previa gives up 4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 20.1 out there against 16.1 in town, a 25% drop worth $475 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 | 16.1 mpg | $2,385 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20.1 mpg | $1,910 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4 mpg (25%) | Typical for its type |
How the Previa changed over the years
The Previa peaked in 1995 at 18 mpg (16 city, 20 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1997 at 17 — 1 mpg apart, or $126 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1997 car does 17. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1996 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1995 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1994 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1993 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1992 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1991 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 7 EPA ratings of the Toyota Previa — 1 engine across 1991–1997. 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 $3,507. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Toyota Previa get?
17.7 mpg combined on average — 16.1 in the city and 20.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1991–1997.
How much does a Toyota Previa cost in fuel per year?
About $2,169 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,845 over five years, or 0.181 dollars a mile.
Which Previa engine is the most economical?
The 2.4L 4-cyl at 17.7 mpg.
Is the Previa 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 Previa figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Toyota Previa is $3,507 against the $2,169 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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