Chevrolet Nova MPG by year — every rating on record
The Chevrolet Nova has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1985 to 1988. Across those years its best rated version returned 29 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 23 mpg (1988). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 2 | 29 mpg | 26 mpg | #14 of 45 (70th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1986 | 2 | 29 mpg | 26 mpg | #11 of 48 (79th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1987 | 2 | 28 mpg | 26 mpg | #6 of 57 (91th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1988 | 4 | 29 mpg | 23 mpg | #3 of 53 (96th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Chevrolet Nova placed highest in 1988 at #3 of 53, and lowest in 1985 at #14 of 45. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 26 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1988 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) fuel injection | 22 | 27 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1988 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 23 | 29 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1988 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) 2 barrel carb | 26 | 33 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 306.44827586206895 | n/a |
| 1987 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 24 | 29 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1987 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 25 | 33 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 317.39285714285717 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 24 | 29 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 26 | 33 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 306.44827586206895 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 23 | 29 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 26 | 34 | 29 | 396.6 | 10.3 | $2,150 | 306.44827586206895 | n/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.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 → 1987 | 29 → 28 mpg | -1 mpg | 411 gal |
| 1987 → 1988 | 28 → 29 mpg | +1 mpg | 397 gal |
What Nova fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1988 Chevrolet Nova burns 397 to 500 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 | $1,190 | $1,500 | $310 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,388 | $1,750 | $362 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,586 | $2,000 | $414 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1988 model year is $2,150 to $2,700 a year in fuel, or $750 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Compact Cars
Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 29 mpg the Chevrolet Nova is 3 mpg better the median, which is worth about $160 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Chevrolet nameplates
Every Chevrolet model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.