Tank Ledger

Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro MPG by year — every rating on record

The Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 1986 to 1991. Across those years its best rated version returned 14 mpg (1986) and its thirstiest returned 14 mpg (1986). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Vans.

14best combined mpg (1986)
14worst combined mpg (1986)
14latest year best (1991)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1986114 mpg14 mpg#19 of 22 (14th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularVans
1987114 mpg14 mpg#23 of 26 (12th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularVans
1988114 mpg14 mpg#24 of 27 (12th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularVans
1989114 mpg14 mpg#22 of 25 (13th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularVans
1990114 mpg14 mpg#21 of 24 (13th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularVans
1991114 mpg14 mpg#21 of 23 (9th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularVans

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro placed highest in 1986 at #19 of 22, and lowest in 1988 at #24 of 27. 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.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19912.1L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)141514821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
19902.1L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)141514821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
19892.1L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)141514821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
19882.1L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)141514821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
19872.1L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)141414821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
19862.1L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)141414821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a

What Vanagon Syncro fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro burns 821 to 821 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$2,464$2,464$0
$3.50/gal$2,875$2,875$0
$4.00/gal$3,286$3,286$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1991 model year is $4,450 to $4,450 a year in fuel, or $11,000 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 14 mpg the Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $507 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.