Tank Ledger

Chevrolet Spectrum Turbo MPG by year — every rating on record

The Chevrolet Spectrum Turbo has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1987 to 1988. Across those years its best rated version returned 27 mpg (1987) and its thirstiest returned 27 mpg (1987). The EPA record holds 2 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

27best combined mpg (1987)
27worst combined mpg (1987)
27latest year best (1988)
2configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1987127 mpg27 mpg#17 of 72 (77th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars
1988127 mpg27 mpg#22 of 60 (64th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Chevrolet Spectrum Turbo placed highest in 1987 at #17 of 72, and lowest in 1988 at #22 of 60. It spent 2 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 2 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19881.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS,TRBO), turbocharged243327425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a
19871.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS,TRBO), turbocharged243327425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a

What Spectrum Turbo fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Turbo burns 426 to 426 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$1,278$1,278$0
$3.50/gal$1,491$1,491$0
$4.00/gal$1,704$1,704$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1988 model year is $2,300 to $2,300 a year in fuel, or $250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Subcompact Cars

Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 27 mpg the Chevrolet Spectrum Turbo is 3 mpg better the median, which is worth about $186 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.