Ford Thunderbird MPG by year — every rating on record

The Ford Thunderbird has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 18 model years, from 1984 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (1988) and its thirstiest returned 16 mpg (1984). The EPA record holds 68 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Ford Thunderbird placed highest in 1992 at #13 of 50, and lowest in 1987 at #45 of 57. It spent 7 of its 18 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 68 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 3 of 7 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Thunderbird fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 Ford Thunderbird 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 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 Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 18 mpg the Ford Thunderbird is 8 mpg below the median, which is worth about $688 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Ford nameplates

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