Tank Ledger

Ford Courier MPG by year — every rating on record

The Ford Courier has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1987 to 1989. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (1987) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (1987). The EPA record holds 7 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Pickup Trucks.

21best combined mpg (1987)
20worst combined mpg (1987)
20latest year best (1989)
7configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1987321 mpg20 mpg#2 of 3 (50th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks
1988220 mpg20 mpg#8 of 12 (36th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Pickup Trucks
1989220 mpg20 mpg#8 of 11 (30th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Pickup Trucks

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Ford Courier placed highest in 1987 at #2 of 3, and lowest in 1988 at #8 of 12. It spent 1 of its 3 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
19892.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)182320575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19892.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)182420575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19882.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)182320575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19882.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)182420575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19872.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)182320575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19872.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)182421547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19872.0L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)192421547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1987 → 198821 → 20 mpg-1 mpg575 gal

What Courier fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1989 Ford Courier burns 575 to 575 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$1,725$1,725$0
$3.50/gal$2,013$2,013$0
$4.00/gal$2,300$2,300$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1989 model year is $3,100 to $3,100 a year in fuel, or $4,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Small Pickup Trucks

Across the 20 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Pickup Trucks, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 20 mpg the Ford Courier is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $403 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Ford nameplates

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