Tank Ledger

Chevrolet Corvette Convertible MPG by year — every rating on record

The Chevrolet Corvette Convertible has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1986 to 1989. Across those years its best rated version returned 18 mpg (1986) and its thirstiest returned 17 mpg (1987). The EPA record holds 7 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

18best combined mpg (1986)
17worst combined mpg (1987)
18latest year best (1989)
7configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1986218 mpg18 mpg#12 of 20 (42th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularTwo Seaters
1987117 mpg17 mpg#17 of 24 (30th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularTwo Seaters
1988218 mpg18 mpg#16 of 26 (40th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
1989218 mpg18 mpg#13 of 24 (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 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible placed highest in 1986 at #12 of 20, and lowest in 1987 at #17 of 24. It spent 0 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 7 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19895.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(350 V8) (FFS)152318638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19895.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium(350 V8) (FFS)152318638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19885.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(350 V8) (FFS)152318638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19885.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Premium(350 V8) (FFS)152218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19875.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(350 V8) (FFS)152317676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
19865.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(350 V8) (FFS)152218638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19865.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular(350 V8) (FFS)152218638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1986 → 198718 → 17 mpg-1 mpg676 gal
1987 → 198817 → 18 mpg+1 mpg639 gal

What Corvette Convertible fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 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 1989 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 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is exactly at the median.

Other Chevrolet nameplates

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