Volkswagen Vanagon/Camper MPG by year — every rating on record
The Volkswagen Vanagon/Camper has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 1986 to 1991. Across those years its best rated version returned 17 mpg (1989) and its thirstiest returned 14 mpg (1986). The EPA record holds 12 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Vans.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 2 | 15 mpg | 14 mpg | #16 of 22 (29th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Vans |
| 1987 | 2 | 15 mpg | 14 mpg | #21 of 26 (20th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Vans |
| 1988 | 2 | 16 mpg | 15 mpg | #18 of 27 (35th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Vans |
| 1989 | 2 | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | #16 of 25 (38th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Vans |
| 1990 | 2 | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | #12 of 24 (52th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Vans |
| 1991 | 2 | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | #10 of 23 (59th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Vans |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Volkswagen Vanagon/Camper placed highest in 1991 at #10 of 23, and lowest in 1987 at #21 of 26. It spent 2 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 16 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1991 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 18 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1990 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 16 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1990 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 18 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 16 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 18 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 14 | 16 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 18 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 13 | 15 | 14 | 821.4 | 21.3 | $4,450 | 634.7857142857143 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 13 | 15 | 14 | 821.4 | 21.3 | $4,450 | 634.7857142857143 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.1L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 → 1988 | 15 → 16 mpg | +1 mpg | 719 gal |
| 1988 → 1989 | 16 → 17 mpg | +1 mpg | 676 gal |
What Vanagon/Camper fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon/Camper burns 676 to 767 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 | $2,029 | $2,300 | $271 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,368 | $2,683 | $316 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,706 | $3,067 | $361 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1991 model year is $3,650 to $4,150 a year in fuel, or $9,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Vans
Across the 45 nameplates EPA classifies as Vans, the median best combined rating is 17 mpg. At 17 mpg the Volkswagen Vanagon/Camper is exactly at the median.
- All Vans 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.