The Volvo NEW VNL does 33.0 mpg combined (31.8 city, 36.3 highway), which works out to about $1,164 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 98.6 mpg while 2.3L 5-cyl does 20.2 — a difference of $1,512 a year. Against other 5-cyl cars it sits above the average of 21.9 mpg.
Every Volvo NEW VNL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 108.4 / 89.2 | 2022–2026 | $389 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 21.8 / 31.8 | 2016–2021 | $1,506 | |
| 2.5L 5-cyl | 19.7 / 28.4 | 2005–2016 | $1,692 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18.3 / 26.7 | 2014–2016 | $1,803 | |
| 2.4L 5-cyl | 18.2 / 25.8 | 1995–2008 | $1,811 | |
| 2.3L 5-cyl | 17.8 / 24.6 | 1999–2004 | $1,901 |
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 | $0.097 |
| Fuel per year | $1,164 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,820 |
| Against other 5-cyl cars | −$589 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,851 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 | 31.8 mpg | $1,208 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 36.3 mpg | $1,058 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.5 mpg (14%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the NEW VNL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 118 / 95 | 1 | $362 | |
| 2025 | 118 / 95 | 1 | $362 | |
| 2024 | 118 / 96 | 1 | $359 | |
| 2023 | 94 / 80 | 1 | $441 | |
| 2022 | 94 / 80 | 1 | $441 | |
| 2021 | 22 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2020 | 21 / 32 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2019 | 21 / 32 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2018 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2017 | 23 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2016 | 20 / 28.7 | 3 | $1,670 | |
| 2015 | 19.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2014 | 19 / 27 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2013 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2012 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2011 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2010 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2009 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2008 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2007 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2006 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2005 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2004 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2000 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1999 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1998 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1997 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 |
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
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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 Volvo NEW VNL get?
33.0 mpg combined on average — 31.8 in the city and 36.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2026.
How much does a Volvo NEW VNL cost in fuel per year?
About $1,164 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,820 over five years, or 0.097 dollars a mile.
Which NEW VNL engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 98.6 mpg, against 20.2 for the 2.3L 5-cyl — a difference of about $1,512 a year.
Is the NEW VNL good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 5-cyl cars it sits above the average of 21.9 mpg, computed across 390 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.