Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am MPG by year — every rating on record
The Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 8 model years, from 1988 to 2001. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (1999) and its thirstiest returned 17 mpg (1988). The EPA record holds 47 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.
21best combined mpg (1999)
17worst combined mpg (1988)
21latest year best (2001)
47configurations on record
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 7 | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | #46 of 60 (24th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 1989 | 7 | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | #49 of 71 (31th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 1990 | 7 | 19 mpg | 17 mpg | #51 of 65 (22th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 1991 | 7 | 19 mpg | 17 mpg | #56 of 73 (24th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 1992 | 7 | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | #52 of 69 (25th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 1999 | 4 | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | #28 of 40 (31th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2000 | 4 | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | #28 of 39 (29th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2001 | 4 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #23 of 37 (39th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am placed highest in 2001 at #23 of 37, and lowest in 1991 at #56 of 73. It spent 0 of its 8 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 47 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | 5.7L 8-cyl | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2001 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 5.7L 8-cyl | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 28 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 28 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2000 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | 5.7L 8-cyl | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2000 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 5.7L 8-cyl | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2000 | 3.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2000 | 3.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 28 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1999 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (350 V8) | 16 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1999 | 3.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1999 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | (350 V8) | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1999 | 3.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 28 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1992 | 3.1L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1992 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1992 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1992 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1992 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1992 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (350 V8) (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1992 | 3.1L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1991 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (350 V8) (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 22 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1991 | 3.1L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1991 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1991 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (SPFI) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1991 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (SPFI) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1991 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1991 | 3.1L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1990 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (350 V8) (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 22 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1990 | 3.1L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1990 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1990 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (SPFI) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1990 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1990 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) (SPFI) | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1990 | 3.1L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1989 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1989 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1989 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1989 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (GM-CHEV) (FFS) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1989 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (350 V8) (FFS) | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1988 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 22 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1988 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) (SPFI) | 15 | 23 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1988 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) (SPFI) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1988 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (FFS) (MPFI) | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1988 | 5.7L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (350 V8) (FFS) | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 → 1990 | 20 → 19 mpg | -1 mpg | 605 gal |
| 1992 → 1999 | 19 → 21 mpg | +2 mpg | 548 gal |
What Firebird/Trans Am fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2001 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am burns 548 to 605 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 | $1,643 | $1,816 | $173 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $2,118 | $202 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,421 | $231 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2001 model year is $2,950 to $4,100 a year in fuel, or $3,500 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 21 mpg the Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am is 3 mpg below 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 Pontiac nameplates
Every Pontiac model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.