Tank Ledger

Cadillac XLR MPG by year — every rating on record

The Cadillac XLR has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2004 to 2009. Across those years its best rated version returned 18 mpg (2004) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2004). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

18best combined mpg (2004)
18worst combined mpg (2004)
18latest year best (2009)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2004118 mpg18 mpg#17 of 32 (48th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2005118 mpg18 mpg#18 of 37 (53th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2006118 mpg18 mpg#21 of 39 (47th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2007118 mpg18 mpg#19 of 36 (49th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2008118 mpg18 mpg#25 of 46 (47th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2009118 mpg18 mpg#22 of 41 (48th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Cadillac XLR placed highest in 2004 at #17 of 32, and lowest in 2008 at #25 of 46. It spent 1 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20094.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.6L 8-cyl152418638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20084.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.6L 8-cyl152418638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20074.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.6L 8-cyl152418638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20064.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium4.6L 8-cyl152318638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20054.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium4.6L 8-cyl152318638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20044.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.6L 8-cyl152318638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a

What XLR fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2009 Cadillac XLR burns 639 to 639 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,917$1,917$0
$3.50/gal$2,236$2,236$0
$4.00/gal$2,556$2,556$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2009 model year is $4,300 to $4,300 a year in fuel, or $10,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Two Seaters

Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 18 mpg the Cadillac XLR is exactly at the median.

Other Cadillac nameplates

Every Cadillac model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.