Honda Del Sol MPG by year — every rating on record
The Honda Del Sol has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1996 to 1997. Across those years its best rated version returned 32 mpg (1996) and its thirstiest returned 25 mpg (1996). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 5 | 32 mpg | 25 mpg | #1 of 14 (100th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Two Seaters |
| 1997 | 5 | 31 mpg | 25 mpg | #1 of 13 (100th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Two Seaters |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Honda Del Sol placed highest in 1996 at #1 of 14, and lowest in 1996 at #1 of 14. It spent 2 of its 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | DOHC/VTEC (FFS) | 23 | 27 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $3,100 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1997 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 24 | 32 | 27 | 425.9 | 11.0 | $2,300 | 329.14814814814815 | n/a |
| 1997 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | VTEC (FFS) | 24 | 32 | 27 | 425.9 | 11.0 | $2,300 | 329.14814814814815 | n/a |
| 1997 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | VTEC (FFS) | 26 | 33 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 317.39285714285717 | n/a |
| 1997 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 28 | 35 | 31 | 371.0 | 9.6 | $2,000 | 286.6774193548387 | n/a |
| 1996 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | DOHC/VTEC (FFS) | 23 | 27 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $3,100 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1996 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | VTEC (FFS) | 24 | 32 | 27 | 425.9 | 11.0 | $2,300 | 329.14814814814815 | n/a |
| 1996 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 25 | 33 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 317.39285714285717 | n/a |
| 1996 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | VTEC (FFS) | 26 | 33 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 317.39285714285717 | n/a |
| 1996 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 29 | 35 | 32 | 359.4 | 9.3 | $1,950 | 277.71875 | n/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.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 → 1997 | 32 → 31 mpg | -1 mpg | 371 gal |
What Del Sol fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1997 Honda Del Sol burns 371 to 460 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 | $1,113 | $1,380 | $267 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,298 | $1,610 | $312 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,484 | $1,840 | $356 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1997 model year is $2,000 to $3,100 a year in fuel, or $250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Two Seaters
Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 31 mpg the Honda Del Sol is 13 mpg better the median, which is worth about $938 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Two Seaters rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Honda nameplates
Every Honda model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.