1991 Volvo 940 SE: MPG and fuel economy
The 1991 Volvo 940 SE is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 18 combined MPG, with 17 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. That is right around the average car in the Midsize Cars class for the same model year.
This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 1991 Volvo 940 SE. Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain.
Key takeaways
- The most efficient car in the Midsize Cars class for the 1991 model year is the Chevrolet Corsica at 24 MPG.
- EPA estimates this car costs around $5,750 more in fuel over five years than an average new vehicle of the same model year.
Fuel economy at a glance
These are the EPA's official ratings for the 1991 Volvo 940 SE. The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.
Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).
| Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
| City MPG | 17 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 20 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,300 |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 494 g/mi |
| Fuel type | Regular |
How the 1991 Volvo 940 SE compares
The 1991 Volvo 940 SE returns 18 combined MPG. Cars in the Midsize Cars class for the same model year average 17.6 MPG, which puts this car ahead of the class average by about 2%.
The most efficient car in the Midsize Cars class for the 1991 model year is the Chevrolet Corsica at 24 MPG. The bar chart below puts the Volvo 940 SE alongside the class best and the class average so you can see the full picture.
For broader context, the average new car of the 1991 model year (across all classes) returns 18.7 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 1991 model year is on its own page.
Annual fuel cost across driving patterns
The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for regular gasoline, which is $3.99/gallon. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.
The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPG and the reference fuel price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. To get a current-prices estimate, take your local gas price and multiply by 833.3 gallons (the car's annual consumption at the rated MPG).
| Driving pattern | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| Light driver, 7,500 miles per year | $1,650 |
| Average driver, 15,000 miles per year | $3,300 |
| Heavy driver, 25,000 miles per year | $5,500 |
Compare against other Midsize Cars for 1991
If you are cross-shopping the 1991 Volvo 940 SE, the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Midsize Cars class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.
The Dodge Spirit leads this group at 25 MPG, 7 MPG ahead of the 1991 Volvo 940 SE.
Specifications
The 1991 Volvo 940 SE runs a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a automatic 4-spd, sending power through rear-wheel drive.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.
- Vehicle class
- Midsize Cars
- Engine
- 2.3L 4-cylinder turbocharged
- Transmission
- Automatic 4-spd
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel type
- Regular
- Annual petroleum use
- 16.5 barrels per year
Common questions about the 1991 Volvo 940 SE
Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 1991 Volvo 940 SE.
-
Is the 1991 Volvo 940 SE fuel efficient?
It is in line with the rest of the class. The 1991 Volvo 940 SE returns 18 combined MPG, and the average car in the Midsize Cars class for the same model year sits at 17.6 MPG. -
What MPG does the 1991 Volvo 940 SE get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Volvo 940 SE at 18 combined MPG, 17 MPG in city driving, and 20 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is. -
How much does it cost to fuel a 1991 Volvo 940 SE per year?
The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $3,300 for the 1991 Volvo 940 SE. That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade. -
What fuel does the 1991 Volvo 940 SE use?
The EPA lists the 1991 Volvo 940 SE as running on regular gasoline. Using a different grade than the manufacturer specifies can affect fuel economy and engine longevity. -
How much CO₂ does the 1991 Volvo 940 SE emit?
Tailpipe CO₂ emissions are 494 g/mi. Multiplied across a typical year of driving (15,000 miles) that works out to about 7,406 kilograms of CO₂. -
What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 1991 Volvo 940 SE?
City driving returns 17 MPG and highway driving returns 20 MPG, a gap of 3 MPG. The two figures are close enough that the car will hold its rated efficiency well across most driving patterns. -
What engine is in the 1991 Volvo 940 SE?
The 1991 Volvo 940 SE has a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine (EPA description: (FFS,TRBO)). Smaller turbocharged engines like this one tend to deliver bigger-engine power on demand while keeping fuel economy closer to a non-turbo version of the same displacement. -
What transmission and drivetrain does the 1991 Volvo 940 SE have?
The 1991 Volvo 940 SE comes with a automatic 4-spd transmission and rear-wheel drive. -
How does the 1991 Volvo 940 SE compare to the best car in its class?
The most efficient car in the Midsize Cars class for the 1991 model year is the Chevrolet Corsica at 24 combined MPG. The Volvo 940 SE returns 18 MPG, a gap of 6 MPG. If you are comparing on fuel economy alone, the class leader is worth a look. -
How much more does the 1991 Volvo 940 SE cost in fuel compared to an average car?
The EPA estimates that over five years, the 1991 Volvo 940 SE will cost about $5,750 more in fuel than an average new vehicle of the same model year. The difference accumulates because the car uses more fuel per mile, not because of any one-off charge at the dealership.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.