Against 458 other V6 cars rated 2006–2008, the R32 sits right on their 19.3 mpg average.
Every Volkswagen R32 engine, compared
The Volkswagen R32 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 17.5 / 23.5 | 2004–2008 | $1,969 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Corolla gets 30.7 mpg, the Lexus IS 21.6 mpg and the Volvo S60 22.3 mpg, next to 20 mpg for the 2008 R32. The R32 costs the most of them to run: $669 a year more than the Toyota Corolla.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2008) | $0.160 |
| Fuel per year | $1,920 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,600 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2006–2008 | −$70 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,950 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2008 Volkswagen R32 gives up 5 mpg in town: 23 on the highway against 18 in the city, $463 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2008) | 18 mpg | $2,133 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23 mpg | $1,670 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5 mpg (28%) | Typical for its type |
How the R32 changed over the years
The R32 peaked in 2008 at 20 mpg (18 city, 23 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2004 at 19 — 1 mpg apart, or $101 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 18 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2004 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 2 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen R32 — 1 engine across 2004–2008. 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 $3,950. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2008 Volkswagen R32 get?
20 mpg combined, 18 city and 23 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2004 the R32 has averaged 19.5 mpg.
Does the R32 get better gas mileage than the Toyota Corolla?
No: 20 mpg for the 2008 R32 against 30.7 for the 2009 Toyota Corolla, about $669 a year more to run.
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