Volvo 240 DL/240 GL Wagon MPG by year — every rating on record
The Volvo 240 DL/240 GL Wagon has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1986 to 1989. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (1986) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1989). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize-Large Station Wagons.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 2 | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | #8 of 23 (68th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons |
| 1987 | 2 | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | #7 of 24 (74th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons |
| 1988 | 2 | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | #9 of 25 (67th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons |
| 1989 | 4 | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | #8 of 21 (65th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Volvo 240 DL/240 GL Wagon placed highest in 1987 at #7 of 24, and lowest in 1988 at #9 of 25. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (EGR) (FFS) | 16 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (EGR) (FFS) | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 23 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 22 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 20 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 → 1989 | 22 → 21 mpg | -1 mpg | 548 gal |
What 240 DL/240 GL Wagon fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1989 Volvo 240 DL/240 GL Wagon burns 548 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 | $1,643 | $1,917 | $274 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $2,236 | $319 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,556 | $365 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1989 model year is $2,950 to $3,450 a year in fuel, or $6,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Midsize-Large Station Wagons
Across the 53 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize-Large Station Wagons, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 21 mpg the Volvo 240 DL/240 GL Wagon is exactly at the median.
- All Midsize-Large Station Wagons rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Volvo nameplates
Every Volvo model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.