Subaru XT-DL MPG by year — every rating on record
The Subaru XT-DL has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1985 to 1989. Across those years its best rated version returned 25 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 23 mpg (1989). The EPA record holds 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 1 | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | #6 of 19 (72th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1986 | 1 | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | #5 of 20 (79th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1987 | 2 | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | #5 of 24 (83th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1988 | 1 | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | #5 of 26 (84th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1989 | 1 | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | #4 of 24 (87th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Subaru XT-DL placed highest in 1989 at #4 of 24, and lowest in 1985 at #6 of 19. It spent 5 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 21 | 26 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1988 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1987 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (C-ENGINE) (FFS) (MPFI) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1987 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 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) (MPFI) | 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 | (FFS) | 23 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 → 1989 | 25 → 23 mpg | -2 mpg | 500 gal |
What XT-DL fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1989 Subaru XT-DL burns 500 to 500 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 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,750 | $1,750 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,000 | $2,000 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1989 model year is $2,700 to $2,700 a year in fuel, or $2,250 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 23 mpg the Subaru XT-DL is 5 mpg better the median, which is worth about $486 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Two Seaters rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Subaru nameplates
Every Subaru model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.