Buick Century MPG by year — every rating on record
The Buick Century has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 21 model years, from 1984 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 27 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1984). The EPA record holds 60 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 9 | 25 mpg | 18 mpg | #1 of 32 (100th pct) | n/a | Regular, Diesel | Midsize Cars |
| 1985 | 8 | 27 mpg | 18 mpg | #1 of 34 (100th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular, Diesel | Midsize Cars |
| 1986 | 4 | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | #7 of 38 (84th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1987 | 4 | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | #6 of 38 (86th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1988 | 4 | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | #6 of 43 (88th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1989 | 5 | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | #10 of 52 (82th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1990 | 3 | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | #5 of 51 (92th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1991 | 3 | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | #5 of 57 (93th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1992 | 3 | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | #4 of 50 (94th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1993 | 3 | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | #4 of 48 (94th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1994 | 2 | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | #2 of 36 (97th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1995 | 2 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #14 of 39 (66th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1996 | 2 | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | #5 of 36 (89th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1998 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #12 of 47 (76th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1999 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #13 of 56 (78th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2000 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #12 of 51 (78th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2001 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #12 of 54 (79th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2002 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #14 of 52 (75th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2003 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #15 of 46 (69th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2004 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #22 of 55 (61th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2005 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #22 of 56 (62th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Buick Century placed highest in 1984 at #1 of 32, and lowest in 2004 at #22 of 55. It spent 21 of its 21 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 60 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.1L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.1L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.1L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.1L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.1L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2000 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.1L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1999 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.1L 6-cyl | 17 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1998 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.1L 6-cyl | 17 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1996 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1996 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1995 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1995 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1994 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1994 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 22 | 28 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1993 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1993 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1993 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1992 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1992 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 27 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1992 | 2.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 28 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1991 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1991 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 27 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1991 | 2.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 28 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1990 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1990 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1990 | 2.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1989 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1989 | 3.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1988 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1987 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1986 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1985 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1985 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1985 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1985 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1985 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1985 | 4.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Diesel | 4.3L 6-cyl, Diesel | 23 | 32 | 26 | 442.3 | 13.7 | $3,450 | 391.53846153846155 | n/a |
| 1985 | 4.3L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Diesel | CA model, Diesel | 23 | 32 | 27 | 425.9 | 13.2 | $3,300 | 377.037037037037 | n/a |
| 1984 | 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 16 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1984 | 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (CAL,FFS) | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1984 | 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1984 | 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.5L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 20 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.5L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 20 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1984 | 4.3L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Diesel | (DIESEL) CA model | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 14.9 | $3,750 | 424.1666666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 4.3L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Diesel | (DIESEL) CA model | 21 | 31 | 24 | 479.2 | 14.9 | $3,750 | 424.1666666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 4.3L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Diesel | (DIESEL) | 21 | 31 | 25 | 460.0 | 14.3 | $3,600 | 407.2 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 5 of 10 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 → 1985 | 25 → 27 mpg | +2 mpg | 426 gal |
| 1985 → 1986 | 27 → 23 mpg | -4 mpg | 500 gal |
| 1987 → 1988 | 23 → 24 mpg | +1 mpg | 479 gal |
| 1988 → 1989 | 24 → 23 mpg | -1 mpg | 500 gal |
| 1990 → 1991 | 23 → 22 mpg | -1 mpg | 523 gal |
| 1992 → 1993 | 22 → 23 mpg | +1 mpg | 500 gal |
| 1993 → 1994 | 23 → 24 mpg | +1 mpg | 479 gal |
| 1994 → 1995 | 24 → 20 mpg | -4 mpg | 575 gal |
| 1995 → 1996 | 20 → 24 mpg | +4 mpg | 479 gal |
| 1996 → 1998 | 24 → 21 mpg | -3 mpg | 548 gal |
What Century fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 Buick Century burns 548 to 548 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,643 | $1,643 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $1,917 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,190 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 model year is $2,950 to $2,950 a year in fuel, or $3,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Midsize Cars
Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 21 mpg the Buick Century is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $307 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Buick nameplates
Every Buick model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.