Ford Thunderbird: MPG and fuel economy by year

The EPA has rated the Ford Thunderbird across 18 model years, from the 1984 Ford Thunderbird through the 2005 Ford Thunderbird. The most recent 2005 Ford Thunderbird returns 18 combined MPG. The most efficient model year was the 1988 Ford Thunderbird at 21 MPG. The nameplate has been in continuous production long enough to span multiple generations of EPA testing methodology.

Pick a year below to open the full Ford Thunderbird page for that model year. Each year page covers combined, city, and highway MPG, the trim variants the EPA rates separately, the annual fuel cost across three driving patterns, and a year-over-year comparison so you can see whether the car has improved.

Fuel economy by model year

Combined MPG, city MPG, highway MPG, and the EPA's estimated annual fuel cost for every model year of the Ford Thunderbird. Click any year to see the full breakdown for that model year, including trim variants, the drivetrain, and a comparison against other vehicles in its segment.

Year	Model	Combined MPG	City	Highway	Annual fuel cost
2005	2005 Ford Thunderbird	18 MPG	16 MPG	22 MPG	$3,850
2004	2004 Ford Thunderbird	18 MPG	15 MPG	21 MPG	$3,850
2003	2003 Ford Thunderbird	18 MPG	16 MPG	22 MPG	$3,850
2002	2002 Ford Thunderbird	17 MPG	15 MPG	22 MPG	$4,050
1997	1997 Ford Thunderbird	19 MPG	16 MPG	24 MPG	$3,150
1996	1996 Ford Thunderbird	19 MPG	17 MPG	24 MPG	$3,150
1995	1995 Ford Thunderbird	19 MPG	17 MPG	24 MPG	$3,150
1994	1994 Ford Thunderbird	19 MPG	17 MPG	24 MPG	$3,150
1993	1993 Ford Thunderbird	20 MPG	17 MPG	24 MPG	$3,000
1992	1992 Ford Thunderbird	20 MPG	18 MPG	25 MPG	$3,000
1991	1991 Ford Thunderbird	20 MPG	17 MPG	24 MPG	$3,000
1990	1990 Ford Thunderbird	20 MPG	17 MPG	24 MPG	$3,000
1989	1989 Ford Thunderbird	20 MPG	17 MPG	25 MPG	$3,000
1988	1988 Ford Thunderbird	21 MPG	18 MPG	25 MPG	$2,850
1987	1987 Ford Thunderbird	19 MPG	16 MPG	24 MPG	$3,150
1986	1986 Ford Thunderbird	20 MPG	18 MPG	24 MPG	$3,000
1985	1985 Ford Thunderbird	19 MPG	17 MPG	24 MPG	$3,150
1984	1984 Ford Thunderbird	19 MPG	17 MPG	24 MPG	$3,150

How the Ford Thunderbird compares against the Two Seaters class

Buyers usually compare the Ford Thunderbird against other cars in the same EPA class. The list below shows the most efficient cars in the Two Seaters class for the 2005 model year, the latest year on this page. Each link opens the full page for that car.

Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split.