The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 1986

Have you ever wondered what the most fuel efficient cars manufactured in 1986 are? In this article, we'll list out the best 100 fuel efficient cars from 1986 with information on each of them!

How to Determine Fuel Efficiency

The list of the best fuel efficient cars on this page is based on one simple metric provided to us by the U.S. Department of Energy: the combined miles per gallon (MPG).

This metric is calculated by taking the total miles driven by the car and dividing it by the total gallons of fuel used.

Manufacturers provide this information to the Department of Energy, they provide it to us, and we provide it to you after sifting and organizing it.

The combined miles per gallon (MPG) is a measure of how much fuel the car uses per mile and is a good indicator of how efficient the car is. It's a combination of both city and highway driving, to give you a more overall accurate MPG.

With that out of the way, let's dive into the list. You can click the links in the table below to see more detailed information about each car.

Best 1986 Cars by Miles per Gallon

CarCombined MPGFuel Cost
Chevrolet Sprint ER Manual 5-spd48$1,300
Honda Civic CRX HF Manual 5-spd46$1,350
Chevrolet Sprint Manual 5-spd40$1,550
Chevrolet Sprint Plus Manual 5-spd40$1,550
Honda Civic CRX HF Manual 5-spd40$1,550
Nissan Sentra Manual 4-spd40$1,950
Pontiac Firefly Manual 5-spd40$1,550
Pontiac Firefly FE Manual 5-spd40$1,550
Ford Escort FS Manual 5-spd38$2,050
Chevrolet Chevette CS Manual 5-spd36$2,150
Chevrolet Sprint Plus Automatic 3-spd36$1,750
Pontiac Firefly Automatic 3-spd36$1,750
Chevrolet Sprint Automatic 3-spd35$1,800
Pontiac Firefly FE Automatic 3-spd35$1,800
Volkswagen Golf Manual 5-spd35$2,200
Volkswagen Jetta Manual 5-spd35$2,200
Chevrolet Spectrum Manual 5-spd34$1,850
Ford Escort Manual 5-spd34$2,250
Ford Escort Wagon Manual 5-spd34$2,250
Ford Tempo Manual 5-spd34$2,250
Honda Civic Manual 4-spd34$1,850
Isuzu I-Mark Manual 5-spd34$1,850
Mercury Lynx Manual 5-spd34$2,250
Mercury Lynx Wagon Manual 5-spd34$2,250
Mercury Topaz Manual 5-spd34$2,250
Pontiac Sunburst Manual 5-spd34$1,850
Volkswagen Jetta Manual 5-spd34$2,250
Dodge Colt Manual 4-spd33$1,900
Mitsubishi Mirage Manual 4-spd33$1,900
Plymouth Colt Manual 4-spd33$1,900
Renault Alliance/Encore Manual 4-spd33$1,900
Isuzu I-Mark Manual 5-spd32$1,950
Isuzu Pickup 2WD Manual 4-spd32$2,400
Toyota Tercel Manual 4-spd32$1,950
Dodge Colt Manual 5-spd31$2,000
Mitsubishi Mirage Manual 5-spd31$2,000
Plymouth Colt Manual 5-spd31$2,000
Renault Alliance/Encore Manual 5-spd31$2,000
Dodge Charger Manual 4-spd30$2,100
Dodge Omni Manual 4-spd30$2,100
Nissan Pulsar NX Manual 5-spd30$2,100
Nissan Sentra Manual 5-spd30$2,100
Nissan Sentra Wagon Manual 5-spd30$2,100
Plymouth Horizon Manual 4-spd30$2,100
Plymouth Turismo Manual 4-spd30$2,100
Renault Alliance/Encore Manual 4-spd30$2,100
Chevrolet Nova Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Chevrolet Spectrum Automatic 3-spd29$2,150
Ford Escort Manual 4-spd29$2,150
Ford Escort Wagon Manual 4-spd29$2,150
Honda Civic CRX Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Isuzu I-Mark Automatic 3-spd29$2,150
Isuzu Pickup 2WD Manual 5-spd29$2,650
Mercury Lynx Manual 4-spd29$2,150
Mercury Lynx Wagon Manual 4-spd29$2,150
Pontiac Sunburst Automatic 3-spd29$2,150
Renault Alliance/Encore Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Subaru Hatchback Manual 4-spd29$2,150
Toyota Camry Automatic 4-spd29$2,650
Toyota Corolla Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Toyota Tercel Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Toyota Tercel Wagon 2WD Manual 5-spd29$2,150
Honda Civic Manual 5-spd28$2,250
Honda Civic CRX Automatic 4-spd28$2,250
Honda Civic Wagon Manual 5-spd28$2,250
Isuzu Pickup 2WD Manual 5-spd28$2,750
Mercedes-Benz 190 Automatic 4-spd28$2,750
Mercedes-Benz 190 Manual 5-spd28$2,750
Buick Skyhawk Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Buick Skyhawk Wagon Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Chevrolet Chevette CS Manual 4-spd27$2,300
Chevrolet Chevette CS Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Dodge Charger Manual 4-spd27$2,300
Dodge Colt Automatic 3-spd27$2,300
Dodge Omni Manual 4-spd27$2,300
Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD Manual 5-spd27$2,850
Honda Civic Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Honda Civic CRX Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Hyundai Pony Excel Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Mazda 323 Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Mitsubishi Mirage Automatic 3-spd27$2,300
Nissan Truck 2WD Manual 5-spd27$2,850
Oldsmobile Firenza Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Oldsmobile Firenza Cruiser Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Plymouth Colt Automatic 3-spd27$2,300
Plymouth Horizon Manual 4-spd27$2,300
Plymouth Turismo Manual 4-spd27$2,300
Pontiac 1000 Manual 4-spd27$2,300
Pontiac Sunbird Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Pontiac Sunbird Wagon Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Toyota Camry Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Toyota Corolla Automatic 4-spd27$2,300
Toyota Corolla Sport Manual 5-spd27$2,300
Toyota Tercel Automatic 3-spd27$2,300
Chevrolet Nova Automatic 3-spd26$2,400
Chrysler Laser/Daytona Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Chrysler LeBaron GTS Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Dodge Aries Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Dodge Aries Wagon Manual 5-spd26$2,400
Dodge Charger Manual 5-spd26$2,400

Best 1986 Regular Fuel Cars by Miles per Gallon

The table below contains the best 1986 regular fuel cars by combined miles per gallon (MPG).

CarCombined MPGFuel Cost
Chevrolet Sprint ER (Manual 5-spd)48$1,300
Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)46$1,350
Chevrolet Sprint (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
Chevrolet Sprint Plus (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
Honda Civic CRX HF (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
Nissan Sentra (Manual 4-spd)40$1,950
Pontiac Firefly (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
Pontiac Firefly FE (Manual 5-spd)40$1,550
Ford Escort FS (Manual 5-spd)38$2,050
Chevrolet Chevette CS (Manual 5-spd)36$2,150
Chevrolet Sprint Plus (Automatic 3-spd)36$1,750
Pontiac Firefly (Automatic 3-spd)36$1,750
Chevrolet Sprint (Automatic 3-spd)35$1,800
Pontiac Firefly FE (Automatic 3-spd)35$1,800
Volkswagen Golf (Manual 5-spd)35$2,200
Volkswagen Jetta (Manual 5-spd)35$2,200
Chevrolet Spectrum (Manual 5-spd)34$1,850
Ford Escort (Manual 5-spd)34$2,250
Ford Escort Wagon (Manual 5-spd)34$2,250
Ford Tempo (Manual 5-spd)34$2,250
Honda Civic (Manual 4-spd)34$1,850
Isuzu I-Mark (Manual 5-spd)34$1,850
Mercury Lynx (Manual 5-spd)34$2,250
Mercury Lynx Wagon (Manual 5-spd)34$2,250
Mercury Topaz (Manual 5-spd)34$2,250
Pontiac Sunburst (Manual 5-spd)34$1,850
Volkswagen Jetta (Manual 5-spd)34$2,250
Dodge Colt (Manual 4-spd)33$1,900
Mitsubishi Mirage (Manual 4-spd)33$1,900
Plymouth Colt (Manual 4-spd)33$1,900
Renault Alliance/Encore (Manual 4-spd)33$1,900
Isuzu I-Mark (Manual 5-spd)32$1,950
Isuzu Pickup 2WD (Manual 4-spd)32$2,400
Toyota Tercel (Manual 4-spd)32$1,950
Dodge Colt (Manual 5-spd)31$2,000
Mitsubishi Mirage (Manual 5-spd)31$2,000
Plymouth Colt (Manual 5-spd)31$2,000
Renault Alliance/Encore (Manual 5-spd)31$2,000
Dodge Charger (Manual 4-spd)30$2,100
Dodge Omni (Manual 4-spd)30$2,100
Nissan Pulsar NX (Manual 5-spd)30$2,100
Nissan Sentra (Manual 5-spd)30$2,100
Nissan Sentra Wagon (Manual 5-spd)30$2,100
Plymouth Horizon (Manual 4-spd)30$2,100
Plymouth Turismo (Manual 4-spd)30$2,100
Renault Alliance/Encore (Manual 4-spd)30$2,100
Chevrolet Nova (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Chevrolet Spectrum (Automatic 3-spd)29$2,150
Ford Escort (Manual 4-spd)29$2,150
Ford Escort Wagon (Manual 4-spd)29$2,150
Honda Civic CRX (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Isuzu I-Mark (Automatic 3-spd)29$2,150
Isuzu Pickup 2WD (Manual 5-spd)29$2,650
Mercury Lynx (Manual 4-spd)29$2,150
Mercury Lynx Wagon (Manual 4-spd)29$2,150
Pontiac Sunburst (Automatic 3-spd)29$2,150
Renault Alliance/Encore (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Subaru Hatchback (Manual 4-spd)29$2,150
Toyota Camry (Automatic 4-spd)29$2,650
Toyota Corolla (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Toyota Tercel (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Toyota Tercel Wagon 2WD (Manual 5-spd)29$2,150
Honda Civic (Manual 5-spd)28$2,250
Honda Civic CRX (Automatic 4-spd)28$2,250
Honda Civic Wagon (Manual 5-spd)28$2,250
Isuzu Pickup 2WD (Manual 5-spd)28$2,750
Mercedes-Benz 190 (Automatic 4-spd)28$2,750
Mercedes-Benz 190 (Manual 5-spd)28$2,750
Buick Skyhawk (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Buick Skyhawk Wagon (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Chevrolet Chevette CS (Manual 4-spd)27$2,300
Chevrolet Chevette CS (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Dodge Charger (Manual 4-spd)27$2,300
Dodge Colt (Automatic 3-spd)27$2,300
Dodge Omni (Manual 4-spd)27$2,300
Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD (Manual 5-spd)27$2,850
Honda Civic (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Honda Civic CRX (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Hyundai Pony Excel (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Mazda 323 (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Mitsubishi Mirage (Automatic 3-spd)27$2,300
Nissan Truck 2WD (Manual 5-spd)27$2,850
Oldsmobile Firenza (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Oldsmobile Firenza Cruiser (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Plymouth Colt (Automatic 3-spd)27$2,300
Plymouth Horizon (Manual 4-spd)27$2,300
Plymouth Turismo (Manual 4-spd)27$2,300
Pontiac 1000 (Manual 4-spd)27$2,300
Pontiac Sunbird (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Pontiac Sunbird Wagon (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Toyota Camry (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Toyota Corolla (Automatic 4-spd)27$2,300
Toyota Corolla Sport (Manual 5-spd)27$2,300
Toyota Tercel (Automatic 3-spd)27$2,300
Chevrolet Nova (Automatic 3-spd)26$2,400
Chrysler Laser/Daytona (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Chrysler LeBaron GTS (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Dodge Aries (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Dodge Aries Wagon (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400
Dodge Charger (Manual 5-spd)26$2,400

Conclusion

The most fuel efficient car of 1986 is the Chevrolet Sprint ER. It has a combined MPG of 48 and costs $1,300 per year to drive it.

The most fuel efficient non-electric car of 1986 is the Chevrolet Sprint ER. It has a combined MPG of 48 and costs $1,300 per year to drive it.

Most Fuel Efficient Cars By Year

Link To or Reference This Page

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

  • "The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 1986." MPG Buddy. Accessed on January 3, 2026. https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-1986.

  • "The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 1986." MPG Buddy, https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-1986. Accessed January 3, 2026.

  • The 100 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 1986. MPG Buddy. Retrieved from https://mpgbuddy.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-1986.