Volvo 780 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Volvo 780 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1987 to 1990. Across those years its best rated version returned 18 mpg (1989) and its thirstiest returned 16 mpg (1987). The EPA record holds 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 2 | 17 mpg | 16 mpg | #53 of 57 (7th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1988 | 1 | 16 mpg | 16 mpg | #52 of 53 (2th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1989 | 2 | 18 mpg | 17 mpg | #46 of 49 (6th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 1990 | 2 | 18 mpg | 17 mpg | #41 of 46 (11th 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 780 placed highest in 1990 at #41 of 46, and lowest in 1987 at #53 of 57. It spent 0 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 15 | 19 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1990 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged | 16 | 20 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 15 | 19 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (TURBO) (FFS,TRBO), turbocharged | 17 | 21 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 15 | 19 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) (VOLVO780) (FFS) | 15 | 19 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 20 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $3,650 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 → 1988 | 17 → 16 mpg | -1 mpg | 719 gal |
| 1988 → 1989 | 16 → 18 mpg | +2 mpg | 639 gal |
What 780 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1990 Volvo 780 burns 639 to 676 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 | $1,917 | $2,029 | $113 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,236 | $2,368 | $132 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,556 | $2,706 | $150 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1990 model year is $3,450 to $3,650 a year in fuel, or $6,000 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 18 mpg the Volvo 780 is 8 mpg below the median, which is worth about $688 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.