1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI MPG and Fuel Economy

On this page, you will find a complete guide to the miles per gallon and fuel efficiency data for the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

The 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI has 2 model options: Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L and Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L.

The 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L runs on regular gasoline and is in the Compact Cars car class.

The 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L runs on regular gasoline and is in the Compact Cars car class.

🛣 How Many Miles per Gallon (MPG) Does a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Get?

Across all models, the combined average MPG for the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is 24 miles per gallon.

The table below breaks down the MPG for each model option:

Model OptionCombined MPGCity MPGHighway MPG
Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L222124
Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L252329

💵 What is the Average Yearly Fuel Cost for a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI?

The average fuel costs for all models of the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is $2,675.

The average fuel costs have been estimated by government regulators based on 15,000 miles driven per year, using regular gasoline, and a split of 55% city driving and 45% highway driving.

Comparing a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI to an average vehicle over 5 years, you will spend $1,875 more on fuel.

The table below shows the fuel costs and 5-year save/spend for each model option:

Model OptionFuel Cost5-Year Save/Spend
Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L$2,850spend $2,750 more
Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L$2,500spend $1,000 more

🛢 How Many Barrels of Petroleum Does a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Consume?

Across all models, the average number barrels of petroleum that the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI will consume in one year is 13 barrels.

The majority of the world's petroleum is sourced from countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, and the United States.

Model OptionBarrels
Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L14
Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L12

💨 How Many Grams of CO2 Does a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Emit?

The 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI will emit an average of about -15,000 grams of CO2 per year.

🌳 To help you understand the impact of this, a normal tree will absorb around 21,000 grams of CO2 per year. This means that roughly 1 tree would be needed to offset emissions from the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

Overview

The tables below cover all of the miles per gallon, engine specifications, and emission details we have for the 2 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI model options.

Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L

The table below contains all of the details we have for the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Automatic 3-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L:

City MPG21
Highway MPG24
Combined MPG22
Save/Spend vs Average CarSpend $2,750
Fuel Cost$2,850
Fuel Type 1Regular
Barrels of Petroleum14
Grams of CO2-15,000
Trees Needed to Offset-1
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
Cylinders4
Displacement1.8
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd
Vehicle ClassCompact Cars
Start/Stop?No
Supercharged?No
Turbocharged?No

Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L

The table below contains all of the details we have for the 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Manual 5-spd 4-cyl, 1.8 L:

City MPG23
Highway MPG29
Combined MPG25
Save/Spend vs Average CarSpend $1,000
Fuel Cost$2,500
Fuel Type 1Regular
Barrels of Petroleum12
Grams of CO2-15,000
Trees Needed to Offset-1
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
Cylinders4
Displacement1.8
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Vehicle ClassCompact Cars
Start/Stop?No
Supercharged?No
Turbocharged?No

Link To or Reference This Page

If you use this page in your research, please reference MPG Buddy as the source.

  • "1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI MPG and Fuel Economy." MPG Buddy. Accessed on January 3, 2026. https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/volkswagen/jetta-gli/1986.

  • "1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI MPG and Fuel Economy." MPG Buddy, https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/volkswagen/jetta-gli/1986. Accessed January 3, 2026.

  • 1986 Volkswagen Jetta GLI MPG and Fuel Economy. MPG Buddy. Retrieved from https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/volkswagen/jetta-gli/1986.