Against 419 other V6 cars rated 2001–2003, the EuroVan trails their 18.8 mpg average by 2.8 mpg, about $357 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1993, the 2.5L 5-cyl (1993–1995), does 16.3 mpg and the thirstiest, the 2.8L 6-cyl (1997–2003), 15.3: $154 a year apart.
Every Volkswagen EuroVan engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl | 14.7 / 18.7 | 1993–1995 | $2,356 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 14 / 17.8 | 1997–2003 | $2,510 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Sienna gets 19.3 mpg, the Honda Odyssey 19 mpg and the Chrysler Pacifica 17 mpg, next to 16 mpg for the 2003 EuroVan. The EuroVan costs the most of them to run: $410 a year more than the Toyota Sienna.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2003) | $0.200 |
| Fuel per year | $2,400 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,000 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2001–2003 | +$357 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,089 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2003 Volkswagen EuroVan gives up 3 mpg in town: 18 on the highway against 15 in the city, $427 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2003) | 15 mpg | $2,560 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 18 mpg | $2,133 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3 mpg (20%) | Typical for its type |
How the EuroVan changed over the years
The EuroVan peaked in 1994 at 17 mpg (15 city, 19 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1997 at 14 — 3 mpg apart, or $484 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2003 car does 16.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 15 / 18 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2002 | 15 / 18 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2001 | 15 / 18 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2000 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1999 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1997 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1995 | 14 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1994 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1993 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 |
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
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen EuroVan — 2 engines across 1993–2003. 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 $4,089. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2003 Volkswagen EuroVan get?
16 mpg combined, 15 city and 18 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1993 the EuroVan has averaged 15.7 mpg.
Is the 2003 EuroVan more efficient than the 2002?
About the same: 16 against 16 mpg combined.
Which EuroVan year has the best gas mileage?
The 1994, at 17 mpg combined (15 city, 19 highway).
Does the EuroVan get better gas mileage than the Toyota Sienna?
No: 16 mpg for the 2003 EuroVan against 19.3 for the 2004 Toyota Sienna, about $410 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.