The Volkswagen Corrado does 20 mpg combined (17 city, 24.5 highway), which works out to about $1,920 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.8L 4-cyl does 21 mpg while 2.8L 6-cyl does 19 — a difference of $192 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Volkswagen Corrado engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Volkswagen Corrado ranges from 21 down to 19 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $192 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 18 / 26 | 1990–1992 | $1,829 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 16 / 23 | 1992–1994 | $2,021 |
What that actually costs
The Volkswagen Corrado burns a gallon every 20 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 600 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.160 |
| Fuel per year | $1,920 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,600 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$426 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,125 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Volkswagen Corrado gives up 7.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24.5 out there against 17 in town, a 44% drop worth $692 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 | 17 mpg | $2,259 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.5 mpg | $1,567 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.5 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Corrado changed over the years
The Corrado peaked in 1991 at 21 mpg (18 city, 26 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1994 at 19 — 2 mpg apart, or $192 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1994 car does 19. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1993 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1992 | 17 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1991 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1990 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen Corrado — 2 engines across 1990–1994. 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 $3,125. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Volkswagen Corrado get?
20 mpg combined on average — 17 in the city and 24.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1990–1994.
How much does a Volkswagen Corrado cost in fuel per year?
About $1,920 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,600 over five years, or 0.160 dollars a mile.
Which Corrado engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl at 21 mpg, against 19 for the 2.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $192 a year.
Is the Corrado 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 Corrado figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Volkswagen Corrado is $3,125 against the $1,920 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 21 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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