Tank Ledger

Volkswagen Jetta III MPG by year — every rating on record

The Volkswagen Jetta III has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1993 to 1995. Across those years its best rated version returned 24 mpg (1995) and its thirstiest returned 21 mpg (1993). The EPA record holds 7 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

24best combined mpg (1995)
21worst combined mpg (1993)
24latest year best (1995)
7configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1993323 mpg21 mpg#30 of 55 (46th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
1994223 mpg21 mpg#25 of 53 (54th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
1995224 mpg22 mpg#23 of 60 (63th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularCompact 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 III placed highest in 1995 at #23 of 60, and lowest in 1993 at #30 of 55. It spent 2 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 7 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19952.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)202622522.713.5$2,850403.95454545454544n/a
19952.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)212924479.212.4$2,600370.2916666666667n/a
19942.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)182521547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19942.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)212823500.012.9$2,700386.39130434782606n/a
19932.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)182621547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
19932.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)192722522.713.5$2,850403.95454545454544n/a
19932.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)202823500.012.9$2,700386.39130434782606n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1994 → 199523 → 24 mpg+1 mpg479 gal

What Jetta III fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta III burns 479 to 523 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,438$1,568$131
$3.50/gal$1,677$1,830$152
$4.00/gal$1,917$2,091$174

EPA’s own estimate for the 1995 model year is $2,600 to $2,850 a year in fuel, or $3,000 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 24 mpg the Volkswagen Jetta III is 2 mpg below the median, which is worth about $129 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Volkswagen nameplates

Every Volkswagen model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.