The Toyota Tercel does 31.0 mpg combined (28.4 city, 34.9 highway), which works out to about $1,239 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Toyota Tercel engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 28.4 / 34.9 | 1984–1999 | $1,239 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.103 |
| Fuel per year | $1,239 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,195 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$273 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,019 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 28.4 mpg | $1,352 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 34.9 mpg | $1,100 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.5 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the Tercel changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 1998 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1997 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 1996 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1995 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 1994 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1993 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1992 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1991 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 1990 | 27 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1989 | 30 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1988 | 30 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1987 | 31 / 37 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1986 | 30 / 35 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 1985 | 30 / 35 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 1984 | 30 / 35 | 1 | $1,200 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Toyota Tercel get?
31.0 mpg combined on average — 28.4 in the city and 34.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1999.
How much does a Toyota Tercel cost in fuel per year?
About $1,239 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,195 over five years, or 0.103 dollars a mile.
Which Tercel engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 31 mpg.
Is the Tercel good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.