Volvo 240 DL/240 GL MPG by year — every rating on record
The Volvo 240 DL/240 GL 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 19 mpg (1988). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.
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 | #31 of 48 (36th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1987 | 2 | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | #38 of 57 (34th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1988 | 2 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #36 of 53 (33th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1989 | 4 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #33 of 49 (33th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
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 placed highest in 1986 at #31 of 48, and lowest in 1987 at #38 of 57. It spent 0 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 | (FFS) | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (EGR) (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 | (FFS) | 19 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (EGR) (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 | 25 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1987 | 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 → 1988 | 22 → 21 mpg | -1 mpg | 548 gal |
What 240 DL/240 GL fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1989 Volvo 240 DL/240 GL burns 548 to 605 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 | $1,816 | $173 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $2,118 | $202 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,421 | $231 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1989 model year is $2,950 to $3,300 a year in fuel, or $5,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Compact Cars
Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 21 mpg the Volvo 240 DL/240 GL is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $369 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact Cars 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.