Cheap High MPG Cars: 1992

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The 1992 model year offers a good range of choices for the high MPG used car shopper. The ranks of 1992 cars (as opposed to rank cars) that score over 35 miles per gallon on the highway includes: the Chevy Sprint and Cavelier, Daihatsu Charade, Dodge Colt, Eagle Summit, Ford Escort and Festiva, Geo Metro and Storm, Honda Civic, Hyundai Precis and Excel, Isuzu Stylus, Lincoln-Mercury Tracer, Mazda MX-3 and 323, Mitsubushi Mirage, Missan NX and Sentra, Oldsmobile Achieva, Plymouth Colt, Pontiac Sunbird and Lemans, Saturn SL, Suburu Justy, Toyota Tercel, and the Volkswagen Jetta. The Jetta remained as the only diesel offering in the group.

1992’s Top Ten High MPG list looks quite a bit like the 1991 list, with Suzuki-built cars grabbing six of the top ten spots. The Honda Civic VX Hatchback took the place of the CRX HF as Honda’s highest MPG offering. All of the entries are equipped with five-speed manual gearboxes.

Top Ten High MPG Cars – 1992 Model Year:

  • Geo Metro XFi – 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 53 city / 58 highway
  • Honda Civic HB VX – 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 48 city / 55 highway
  • Honda Civic HB VX – 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 44 city / 51 highway
  • Chevrolet Sprint – 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 46 city / 50 highway
  • Geo Metro – 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 46 city / 50 highway
  • Pontiac Firefly – 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 46 city / 50 highway
  • Geo Metro LSi – 3 -cyl., 1.0 – MPG: 46 city / 50 highway
  • Suzuki Swift – 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 46 city / 50 highway
  • Honda Civic – 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 42 city / 48 highway
  • Honda Civic – 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 40 city / 47 highway


1992 High MPG Gas Mileage Rankings

Year
Manufacturer
Model
Engine
Displace.
Fuel
Trans.
City
Hwy
1992 Geo Metro LSi Convertible 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (A3) Auto 32 38
1992 Geo Metro LSi Convertible 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (M5) Manual 41 46
1992 Nissan NX 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (L4) Auto 27 36
1992 Nissan NX 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M5) Manual 28 38
1992 Chevrolet Cavalier 4 cylinder 2.2 liter R (M5) Manual 25 36
1992 Chevrolet Sprint 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (A3) Auto 36 39
1992 Chevrolet Sprint 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (M5) Manual 46 50
1992 Daihatsu Charade 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (M5) Manual 38 42
1992 Daihatsu Charade 4 cylinder 1.3 liter R (M5) Manual 35 38
1992 Nissan Sentra 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (L4) Auto 27 36
1992 Nissan Sentra 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M4) Manual 29 37
1992 Nissan Sentra 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M5) Manual 29 39
1992 Dodge Colt 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M4) Manual 31 36
1992 Dodge Colt 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 29 35
1992 Eagle Summit 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M4) Manual 31 36
1992 Eagle Summit 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 29 35
1992 Ford Festiva 4 cylinder 1.3 liter R (M5) Manual 35 41
1992 Geo Metro 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (A3) Auto 36 39
1992 Geo Metro 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (M5) Manual 46 50
1992 Geo Metro LSi 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (A3) Auto 36 39
1992 Geo Metro LSi 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (M5) Manual 46 50
1992 Geo Metro XFi 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (M5) Manual 53 58
1992 Geo Storm 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M5) Manual 30 36
1992 Honda Civic 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (L4) Auto 30 37
1992 Honda Civic 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 42 48
1992 Honda Civic 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 40 47
1992 Honda Civic 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 35 40
1992 Honda Civic 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M5) Manual 29 36
1992 Honda Civic HB VX 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 48 55
1992 Honda Civic HB VX 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 44 51
1992 Hyundai Excel 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M4) Manual 30 36
1992 Hyundai Excel 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 29 36
1992 Mazda MX-3 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M5) Manual 29 35
1992 Mitsubishi Mirage 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M4) Manual 31 36
1992 Mitsubishi Mirage 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 29 35
1992 Plymouth Colt 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M4) Manual 31 36
1992 Plymouth Colt 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 29 35
1992 Pontiac Firefly 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (A3) Auto 36 39
1992 Pontiac Firefly 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (M5) Manual 46 50
1992 Pontiac Sunbird 4 cylinder 2.0 liter R (M5) Manual 25 35
1992 Subaru Justy 3 cylinder 1.2 liter R (M5) Manual 33 37
1992 Subaru Justy 3 cylinder 1.2 liter R AV 33 35
1992 Subaru Justy 3 cylinder 1.2 liter R (M5) Manual 33 37
1992 Suzuki Swift 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (A3) Auto 36 39
1992 Suzuki Swift 3 cylinder 1.0 liter R (M5) Manual 46 50
1992 Suzuki Swift 4 cylinder 1.3 liter R (M5) Manual 39 43
1992 Suzuki Swift GT 4 cylinder 1.3 liter R (M5) Manual 28 35
1992 Toyota Tercel 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M4) Manual 32 37
1992 Toyota Tercel 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 29 36
1992 Ford Escort 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (L4) Auto 25 35
1992 Ford Escort 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (M5) Manual 30 37
1992 Ford Escort FS 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (M5) Manual 32 40
1992 Hyundai Precis 4 cylinder 1.5 liter R (M5) Manual 29 36
1992 Isuzu Stylus 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M5) Manual 31 37
1992 Lincoln-Mercury Tracer 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (L4) Auto 25 35
1992 Lincoln-Mercury Tracer 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (M5) Manual 30 37
1992 Mazda Protege 4 cylinder 1.8 liter R (M5) Manual 28 36
1992 Mazda 323 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M5) Manual 29 37
1992 Oldsmobile Achieva 4 cylinder 2.3 liter R (M5) Manual 25 35
1992 Pontiac Grand AM 4 cylinder 2.3 liter R (M5) Manual 25 35
1992 Pontiac Lemans 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M4) Manual 28 37
1992 Pontiac Lemans 4 cylinder 1.6 liter R (M5) Manual 31 41
1992 Saturn SL 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (L4) Auto 26 35
1992 Saturn SL 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (M5) Manual 28 38
1992 Volkswagen Jetta 4 cylinder 1.6 liter D (M5) Manual 37 40
1992 Ford Escort Wagon 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (L4) Auto 25 35
1992 Ford Escort Wagon 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (M5) Manual 30 37
1992 Lincoln-Mercury Tracer Wagon 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (L4) Auto 25 35
1992 Lincoln-Mercury Tracer Wagon 4 cylinder 1.9 liter R (M5) Manual 30 37

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7 thoughts on “Cheap High MPG Cars: 1992”

  1. Your list is well and good, but I thought I’d mention the Tempo/Topaz twins. When equipped with 4 cyl 5sp m/ts (and driven smartly) they will return 35-40 mpg. Some of the good things about them is they are cheap, plentiful, durable, and have good interior space and comfort.

  2. I have a 1992 Isuzu Stylus I bought new. I was thinking of repainting and keep driving it. I have 170,000 miles and have replaced computer,battery twice, on my fifth set of tires and replaced cv joint and wheel bearing recently and a radiator. My question is if I wanted to put money in reserves for a new motor am I looking at 1,500.00 or so? Think it’s worth restoring?

  3. @Monica – It sounds like your Stylus has been very good to you over the years. Congrats on the 170K!

    Isuzu recently announced that they are pulling out of the US automotive market (although they will continue to sell trucks). That might make it tough to find parts for your Stylus down the road.

    Putting money away for that next big automotive expense is never a bad idea, but I can’t say how much it might cost to replace the motor. The best bet might be to talk to a local engine shop or two in order to get an idea of the expense.

  4. I’m finding that high mileage cars get the best MPG. I use synthetic 5-30 energy conserving, @65 mph and far exceed original ratings. 88 CRX HF 5spd 177K 62mpg, 95 Civic LX 5spd 110K 55mpg, 90 Civic LX AT 225K 48mpg. All have the 1.5 liter in various configurations. Stock. Next week I’ll try the K&N air filter. Also the 51psi tires might improve things.

  5. I drive a ’92 Daihatsu Charade. Its not worth much now, and parts are hard to come by, but its mostly mechanically sound and it has paid for itself ($400) over and over again in fuel savings.

    I’ll drive it until the wheels fall off.

  6. I think your off, on your Ford Escort. I have a 1.9 engine with a manual transmission. I get 39 in town, and 51 on the highway. The engine has 208009 miles on it, and runs great still.

  7. I’d like to see that 51mpg out of a 1.9 Escort. I’ve got two of them. I just made a trip from East Coast to Texas and back. MPG varied between 35-39mpg, depending upon speed. MPG drops precipitously as speed rises above 60. I got around 37-38 at around 70mph.

    I don’t believe 51mpg. I’ve cracked 40mpg, but that requires keeping it under 60mph, and so isn’t real practical. How fast were you driving?

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