Pontiac Sunbird Wagon MPG by year — every rating on record
The Pontiac Sunbird Wagon has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1985 to 1988. Across those years its best rated version returned 27 mpg (1986) and its thirstiest returned 24 mpg (1985). The EPA record holds 12 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Station Wagons.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 4 | 26 mpg | 24 mpg | #10 of 18 (47th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1986 | 3 | 27 mpg | 24 mpg | #8 of 18 (59th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1987 | 3 | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | #9 of 20 (58th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1988 | 2 | 27 mpg | 25 mpg | #12 of 25 (54th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Pontiac Sunbird Wagon placed highest in 1986 at #8 of 18, and lowest in 1988 at #12 of 25. It spent 3 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 23 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 23 | 34 | 27 | 425.9 | 11.0 | $2,300 | 329.14814814814815 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 30 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (122) (FFS) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (122) (FFS) | 23 | 33 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 28 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 23 | 34 | 27 | 425.9 | 11.0 | $2,300 | 329.14814814814815 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (CAL)(FFS) | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (CAL)(FFS) | 23 | 32 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 23 | 32 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 → 1986 | 26 → 27 mpg | +1 mpg | 426 gal |
| 1986 → 1987 | 27 → 26 mpg | -1 mpg | 442 gal |
| 1987 → 1988 | 26 → 27 mpg | +1 mpg | 426 gal |
What Sunbird Wagon fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1988 Pontiac Sunbird Wagon burns 426 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 | $1,278 | $1,380 | $102 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,491 | $1,610 | $119 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,704 | $1,840 | $136 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1988 model year is $2,300 to $2,500 a year in fuel, or $1,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Small Station Wagons
Across the 142 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Station Wagons, the median best combined rating is 27 mpg. At 27 mpg the Pontiac Sunbird Wagon is exactly at the median.
- All Small Station Wagons 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.