Buick LeSabre MPG by year — every rating on record
The Buick LeSabre has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 22 model years, from 1984 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (1984) and its thirstiest returned 16 mpg (1984). The EPA record holds 35 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Large Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 9 | 21 mpg | 16 mpg | #4 of 14 (77th pct) | n/a | Regular, Diesel | Large Cars |
| 1985 | 5 | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | #4 of 13 (75th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Diesel | Large Cars |
| 1986 | 2 | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | #3 of 15 (86th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1987 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #3 of 15 (86th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1988 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #4 of 20 (84th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1989 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #4 of 16 (80th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1990 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #4 of 16 (80th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1991 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #1 of 19 (100th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1992 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #5 of 24 (83th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1993 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #5 of 25 (83th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1994 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #6 of 25 (79th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1995 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #7 of 32 (81th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1996 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #7 of 30 (79th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1997 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #3 of 26 (92th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1998 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #4 of 24 (87th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 1999 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #4 of 26 (88th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 2000 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #5 of 22 (81th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 2001 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #4 of 27 (88th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 2002 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #3 of 25 (92th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 2003 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #5 of 32 (87th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 2004 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #6 of 41 (88th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
| 2005 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #4 of 42 (93th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Buick LeSabre placed highest in 1991 at #1 of 19, and lowest in 1995 at #7 of 32. It spent 22 of its 22 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 35 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 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 27 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2000 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 27 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1999 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1998 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1997 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 17 | 27 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1996 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 17 | 27 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1995 | 3.8L 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 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1993 | 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 |
| 1992 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 26 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1991 | 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 |
| 1990 | 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 |
| 1989 | 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 | 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 |
| 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 |
| 1986 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1986 | 3.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 27 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1985 | 3.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 15 | 20 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1985 | 3.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 20 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1985 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GM-OLDS) (FFS) CA model | 15 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1985 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GM-OLDS) (FFS) | 15 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1985 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel | (350 V8), Diesel | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 17.0 | $4,250 | 484.76190476190476 | n/a |
| 1984 | 4.1L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 14 | 19 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1984 | 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (GM-OLDS) | 14 | 19 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1984 | 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GM-OLDS) | 14 | 21 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1984 | 4.1L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 15 | 20 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1984 | 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (GM-OLDS) CA model | 14 | 19 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1984 | 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GM-OLDS) CA model | 14 | 20 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1984 | 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (GM-BUICK) | 15 | 20 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1984 | 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (GM-BUICK) CA model | 15 | 20 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1984 | 5.7L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Diesel | (350 V8) (DIESEL), Diesel | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 17.0 | $4,250 | 484.76190476190476 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 → 1986 | 21 → 20 mpg | -1 mpg | 575 gal |
| 1986 → 1987 | 20 → 19 mpg | -1 mpg | 605 gal |
| 1987 → 1988 | 19 → 20 mpg | +1 mpg | 575 gal |
| 1989 → 1990 | 20 → 19 mpg | -1 mpg | 605 gal |
| 1990 → 1991 | 19 → 20 mpg | +1 mpg | 575 gal |
| 1991 → 1992 | 20 → 19 mpg | -1 mpg | 605 gal |
| 1992 → 1993 | 19 → 20 mpg | +1 mpg | 575 gal |
| 1997 → 1998 | 20 → 21 mpg | +1 mpg | 548 gal |
| 1999 → 2000 | 21 → 20 mpg | -1 mpg | 575 gal |
| 2001 → 2002 | 20 → 21 mpg | +1 mpg | 548 gal |
What LeSabre fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 Buick LeSabre 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 Large Cars
Across the 305 nameplates EPA classifies as Large Cars, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 21 mpg the Buick LeSabre is exactly at the median.
- All Large 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.