Tank Ledger

Pontiac 1000 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Pontiac 1000 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1984 to 1987. Across those years its best rated version returned 36 mpg (1984) and its thirstiest returned 24 mpg (1984). The EPA record holds 21 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

36best combined mpg (1984)
24worst combined mpg (1984)
27latest year best (1987)
21configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1984836 mpg24 mpg#5 of 57 (93th pct)n/aRegular, DieselSubcompact Cars
1985736 mpg25 mpg#3 of 57 (96th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegular, DieselSubcompact Cars
1986327 mpg24 mpg#19 of 59 (69th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars
1987327 mpg24 mpg#20 of 72 (73th pct)Rear-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 Pontiac 1000 placed highest in 1985 at #3 of 57, and lowest in 1987 at #20 of 72. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 21 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19871.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular(FFS)222824479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
19871.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular(FFS)243127425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a
19871.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)233227425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a
19861.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular(FFS)222824479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
19861.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)233126442.311.4$2,400341.8076923076923n/a
19861.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular(FFS)243127425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a
19851.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular(FFS) CA model232825460.011.9$2,500355.48n/a
19851.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular(FFS) CA model232926442.311.4$2,400341.8076923076923n/a
19851.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS) CA model233126442.311.4$2,400341.8076923076923n/a
19851.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular(FFS)233026442.311.4$2,400341.8076923076923n/a
19851.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular(FFS)243127425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a
19851.6L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)243327425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a
19851.8L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Diesel1.8L 4-cyl, Diesel334136319.49.9$2,500282.77777777777777n/a
19841.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular(FFS) CA model222724479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
19841.6L 4-cyl Manual 4-spd Regular(FFS) CA model233025460.011.9$2,500355.48n/a
19841.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular(FFS)233026442.311.4$2,400341.8076923076923n/a
19841.6L 4-cyl Manual 4-spd Regular(FFS)243127425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a
19841.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)243327425.911.0$2,300329.14814814814815n/a
19841.8L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Diesel(DIESEL), Diesel283330383.311.9$3,000339.3333333333333n/a
19841.8L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Diesel(DIESEL), Diesel334236319.49.9$2,500282.77777777777777n/a
19841.8L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Diesel(DIESEL) CA model, Diesel334136319.49.9$2,500282.77777777777777n/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
1985 → 198636 → 27 mpg-9 mpg426 gal

What 1000 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1987 Pontiac 1000 burns 426 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.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,278$1,438$160
$3.50/gal$1,491$1,677$186
$4.00/gal$1,704$1,917$213

EPA’s own estimate for the 1987 model year is $2,300 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 27 mpg the Pontiac 1000 is 3 mpg better the median, which is worth about $186 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Pontiac nameplates

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