Tank Ledger

Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo MPG by year — every rating on record

The Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 1995 to 2000. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (1996) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1995). The EPA record holds 16 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

21best combined mpg (1996)
18worst combined mpg (1995)
21latest year best (2000)
16configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1995320 mpg18 mpg#17 of 39 (58th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars
1996221 mpg18 mpg#11 of 36 (71th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars
1997221 mpg18 mpg#8 of 43 (83th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars
1998321 mpg19 mpg#14 of 47 (72th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars
1999321 mpg19 mpg#15 of 56 (75th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars
2000321 mpg21 mpg#14 of 51 (74th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo placed highest in 1997 at #8 of 43, and lowest in 1995 at #17 of 39. It spent 6 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 16 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20003.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.1L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
20003.4L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.4L 6-cyl172921547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
20003.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.8L 6-cyl172721547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19993.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd RegularPOLICE FFS MPFI162519605.315.7$3,300467.7368421052632n/a
19993.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.1L 6-cyl172621547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19993.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.8L 6-cyl172721547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19983.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.8L 6-cyl162519605.315.7$3,300467.7368421052632n/a
19983.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.1L 6-cyl172721547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19983.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.8L 6-cyl172721547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19973.4L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)152418638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19973.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)182621547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19963.4L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)152418638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19963.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)182621547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19953.4L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)152418638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19953.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)172620575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19953.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)172620575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

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

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1995 → 199620 → 21 mpg+1 mpg548 gal

What Lumina/Monte Carlo fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$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 2000 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 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $307 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Chevrolet nameplates

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