Volkswagen Vanagon MPG by year — every rating on record
The Volkswagen Vanagon has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1984 to 1985. Across those years its best rated version returned 17 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 15 mpg (1984). The EPA record holds 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 4 | 16 mpg | 15 mpg | #5 of 9 (50th pct) | 2-Wheel Drive | Regular | Vans, Passenger Type |
| 1985 | 4 | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | #10 of 20 (53th 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 placed highest in 1984 at #5 of 9, and lowest in 1985 at #10 of 20. It spent 2 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 1.9L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.9L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 17 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.9L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 15 | 18 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1985 | 1.9L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 18 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.9L 4-cyl 2-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.9L 4-cyl 2-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.9L 4-cyl 2-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 18 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1984 | 1.9L 4-cyl 2-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 15 | 18 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/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.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 → 1985 | 16 → 17 mpg | +1 mpg | 676 gal |
What Vanagon fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon 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 1985 model year is $3,650 to $4,150 a year in fuel, or $8,250 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 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.