1986 Mercury CougarFuel Economy & MPG Ratings
Gasoline Compact CarsRear-Wheel Drive
City
18
MPG
Highway
24
MPG
Combined
20
MPG
Trim Comparison
Manual 5-spd
Regular
City
18
Hwy
24
Comb
20
Fuel cost: $3,400/yr
Automatic 4-spd
Regular
City
17
Hwy
24
Comb
19
Fuel cost: $3,550/yr
Automatic 4-spd
Regular
City
16
Hwy
24
Comb
19
Fuel cost: $3,550/yr
Automatic 3-spd
Regular
City
16
Hwy
20
Comb
18
Fuel cost: $3,750/yr
Automatic 3-spd
Regular
City
17
Hwy
21
Comb
18
Fuel cost: $3,750/yr
| Trim | Engine | City | Hwy | Combined | Fuel Cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual 5-spd | Regular | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,400 |
| Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Automatic 3-spd | Regular | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,750 |
| Automatic 3-spd | Regular | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,750 |
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,400
Based on gasoline at $3.67/gal, 15,000 miles/year
5-Year Fuel Savings
$-5,000
vs. average new vehicle
EPA Fuel Economy Score: -1/10
GHG Score: -1/10
Environment
- CO₂ Tailpipe Emissions
- 444 g/mile
- Annual Petroleum Consumption
- 14.9 barrels
Specifications
- Engine
- 5L 4-cyl
- Transmission
- 3-speed Automatic
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Body Style
- Sedan
- GVWR
- Class 1 (≤6,000 lbs)
Source: EPA fuel economy data & NHTSA vPIC. Specifications reflect the most common trim configuration.
Engine & Efficiency Details
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
- Engine Size
- 2.3L, 4-cylinder
- Induction Type
- (FFS,TRBO)
- Fuel Type
- Regular Gasoline
Annual Fuel Cost by State
Prices as of week ending May 18, 2026 · Source: EIA
National AvgEPA default
$4.490/gal$3,368/yr
California
$5.957/gal$4,468/yr
Texas
$3.888/gal$2,916/yr
Florida
$4.136/gal$3,102/yr
New York
$4.522/gal$3,392/yr
Ohio
$4.510/gal$3,383/yr
Washington
$5.591/gal$4,193/yr
Colorado
$4.618/gal$3,464/yr
Minnesota
$4.344/gal$3,258/yr
Massachusetts
$4.448/gal$3,336/yr
| State | Gas Price | Annual Cost | vs. National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| National AvgEPA default | $4.490/gal | $3,368/yr | — |
| California | $5.957/gal | $4,468/yrHIGHEST | +$1,100 |
| Texas | $3.888/gal | $2,916/yrLOWEST | $-452 |
| Florida | $4.136/gal | $3,102/yr | $-266 |
| New York | $4.522/gal | $3,392/yr | +$24 |
| Ohio | $4.510/gal | $3,383/yr | +$15 |
| Washington | $5.591/gal | $4,193/yr | +$825 |
| Colorado | $4.618/gal | $3,464/yr | +$96 |
| Minnesota | $4.344/gal | $3,258/yr | $-110 |
| Massachusetts | $4.448/gal | $3,336/yr | $-32 |
Calculated at 15,000 miles/year (EPA standard assumption) using 20 MPG combined. Regular gasoline prices. Actual costs vary.
Related
Mercury Cougar MPG History
See how this model's fuel economy changed by year