Pontiac Wave 5 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Pontiac Wave 5 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 2005 to 2006. Across those years its best rated version returned 27 mpg (2005) and its thirstiest returned 25 mpg (2006). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 27 mpg | 26 mpg | #15 of 66 (78th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2006 | 2 | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | #7 of 38 (84th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | 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 Wave 5 placed highest in 2006 at #7 of 38, and lowest in 2005 at #15 of 66. It spent 2 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 1.6L 4-cyl | 21 | 31 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 2006 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 1.6L 4-cyl | 22 | 32 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 2005 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 1.6L 4-cyl | 23 | 31 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 2005 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 1.6L 4-cyl | 23 | 32 | 27 | 425.9 | 11.0 | $2,300 | 329.14814814814815 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 → 2006 | 27 → 26 mpg | -1 mpg | 442 gal |
What Wave 5 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 Pontiac Wave 5 burns 442 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 | $1,327 | $1,380 | $53 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,548 | $1,610 | $62 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,769 | $1,840 | $71 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $2,400 to $2,500 a year in fuel, or $1,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Compact Cars
Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 26 mpg the Pontiac Wave 5 is exactly at the median.
- All Compact 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.