The Volkswagen Scirocco does 22.8 mpg combined (20.6 city, 26 highway), which works out to about $1,684 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 Volkswagen Scirocco engine, compared
The Volkswagen Scirocco 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 20.6 / 26 | 1984–1988 | $1,684 |
What that actually costs
The Volkswagen Scirocco burns a gallon every 22.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 526 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.140 |
| Fuel per year | $1,684 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,420 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$190 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,730 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Volkswagen Scirocco gives up 5.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26 out there against 20.6 in town, a 26% drop worth $387 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 | 20.6 mpg | $1,864 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26 mpg | $1,477 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.4 mpg (26%) | Typical for its type |
How the Scirocco changed over the years
The Scirocco peaked in 1987 at 23 mpg (21 city, 26 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1988 at 22 — 1 mpg apart, or $75 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1988 car does 22. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1987 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1986 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1985 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1984 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen Scirocco — 1 engine across 1984–1988. 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 $2,730. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Volkswagen Scirocco get?
22.8 mpg combined on average — 20.6 in the city and 26 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1988.
How much does a Volkswagen Scirocco cost in fuel per year?
About $1,684 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,420 over five years, or 0.140 dollars a mile.
Which Scirocco engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl at 22.8 mpg.
Is the Scirocco 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 Scirocco 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 Scirocco is $2,730 against the $1,684 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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