Volkswagen Jetta GLI 16v MPG by year — every rating on record
The Volkswagen Jetta GLI 16v has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 1987 to 1992. Across those years its best rated version returned 23 mpg (1987) and its thirstiest returned 21 mpg (1992). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.
In the EPA record this nameplate also appears as Jetta GLI 16v and GTI 16v. The figures below cover every one of them.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | #36 of 57 (38th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1988 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #30 of 53 (44th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1989 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #31 of 49 (38th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1990 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #27 of 46 (42th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1991 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #32 of 60 (47th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1992 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #34 of 58 (42th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI 16v placed highest in 1990 at #27 of 46, and lowest in 1987 at #36 of 57. It spent 0 of its 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1991 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1990 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1989 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1988 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1987 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 26 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 → 1988 | 23 → 22 mpg | -1 mpg | 523 gal |
| 1991 → 1992 | 22 → 21 mpg | -1 mpg | 548 gal |
What Jetta GLI 16v fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1992 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 16v burns 548 to 548 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 | $1,643 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $1,917 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,190 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1992 model year is $2,950 to $2,950 a year in fuel, or $3,500 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 21 mpg the Volkswagen Jetta GLI 16v is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $369 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Volkswagen nameplates
Every Volkswagen model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.