Geo Prizm MPG by year — every rating on record

The Geo Prizm has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 9 model years, from 1989 to 1997. Across those years its best rated version returned 29 mpg (1996) and its thirstiest returned 23 mpg (1989). The EPA record holds 34 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

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 Geo Prizm placed highest in 1994 at #5 of 53, and lowest in 1989 at #27 of 71. It spent 9 of its 9 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 34 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 5 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Prizm fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1997 Geo Prizm burns 411 to 479 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 1997 model year is $2,250 to $2,600 a year in fuel, or $1,750 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 28 mpg the Geo Prizm is 4 mpg better the median, which is worth about $240 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

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

Other Geo nameplates

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