Volkswagen Quantum Wagon MPG by year — every rating on record
The Volkswagen Quantum Wagon has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1984 to 1988. Across those years its best rated version returned 33 mpg (1984) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1984). The EPA record holds 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 10 | 33 mpg | 18 mpg | #4 of 18 (82th pct) | n/a | Diesel, Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1985 | 3 | 31 mpg | 21 mpg | #3 of 18 (88th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel, Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1986 | 4 | 25 mpg | 18 mpg | #11 of 18 (41th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1987 | 2 | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | #18 of 20 (11th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1988 | 2 | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | #23 of 25 (8th 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 Volkswagen Quantum Wagon placed highest in 1985 at #3 of 18, and lowest in 1988 at #23 of 25. It spent 2 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 21 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 | 2.2L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 20 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.2L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.2L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 20 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.2L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.2L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 20 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.2L 5-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 23 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1986 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 23 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO), turbocharged, Diesel | 28 | 35 | 31 | 371.0 | 11.5 | $2,900 | 328.38709677419354 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.1L 5-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.1L 5-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.1L 5-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 16 | 20 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.1L 5-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 16 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO) | 25 | 31 | 27 | 425.9 | 13.2 | $3,300 | 377.037037037037 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO) | 25 | 31 | 27 | 425.9 | 13.2 | $3,300 | 377.037037037037 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO) CA model | 29 | 35 | 31 | 371.0 | 11.5 | $2,900 | 328.38709677419354 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO) CA model | 28 | 35 | 31 | 371.0 | 11.5 | $2,900 | 328.38709677419354 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO) | 32 | 35 | 33 | 348.5 | 10.8 | $2,700 | 308.4848484848485 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.6L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO) | 31 | 35 | 33 | 348.5 | 10.8 | $2,700 | 308.4848484848485 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 → 1985 | 33 → 31 mpg | -2 mpg | 371 gal |
| 1985 → 1986 | 31 → 25 mpg | -6 mpg | 460 gal |
| 1986 → 1987 | 25 → 19 mpg | -6 mpg | 605 gal |
What Quantum Wagon fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1988 Volkswagen Quantum Wagon burns 605 to 639 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 | $1,816 | $1,917 | $101 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,118 | $2,236 | $118 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,421 | $2,556 | $135 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1988 model year is $3,300 to $3,450 a year in fuel, or $6,000 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 19 mpg the Volkswagen Quantum Wagon is 8 mpg below the median, which is worth about $628 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Small Station Wagons 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.