1998 Volkswagen Passat WagonFuel Economy & MPG Ratings
Diesel Midsize Station WagonsFront-Wheel Drive
City
32
MPG
Highway
45
MPG
Combined
37
MPG
Trim Comparison
Manual 5-spd
Diesel Diesel
City
32
Hwy
45
Comb
37
Fuel cost: $2,300/yr
Automatic 4-spd
Diesel Diesel
City
27
Hwy
39
Comb
31
Fuel cost: $2,750/yr
Manual 5-spd
Premium
City
20
Hwy
29
Comb
24
Fuel cost: $3,400/yr
Automatic 5-spd
Premium
City
18
Hwy
28
Comb
22
Fuel cost: $3,700/yr
| Trim | Engine | City | Hwy | Combined | Fuel Cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual 5-spd | Diesel Diesel | 32 | 45 | 37 | $2,300 |
| Automatic 4-spd | Diesel Diesel | 27 | 39 | 31 | $2,750 |
| Manual 5-spd | Premium | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,400 |
| Automatic 5-spd | Premium | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,700 |
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,300
Based on gasoline at $3.67/gal, 15,000 miles/year
5-Year Fuel Savings
$500
vs. average new vehicle
EPA Fuel Economy Score: -1/10
GHG Score: -1/10
Environment
- CO₂ Tailpipe Emissions
- 275 g/mile
- Annual Petroleum Consumption
- 9.7 barrels
Specifications
- Engine
- 1.9L 4-cyl
- Transmission
- 5-speed Automatic
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Body Style
- Wagon
Source: EPA fuel economy data & NHTSA vPIC. Specifications reflect the most common trim configuration.
Engine & Efficiency Details
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
- Engine Size
- 1.9L, 4-cylinder
- Fuel Type
- Diesel
Annual Fuel Cost by State
Prices as of week ending May 18, 2026 · Source: EIA
National AvgEPA default
$4.490/gal$1,820/yr
California
$5.957/gal$2,415/yr
Texas
$3.888/gal$1,576/yr
Florida
$4.136/gal$1,677/yr
New York
$4.522/gal$1,833/yr
Ohio
$4.510/gal$1,828/yr
Washington
$5.591/gal$2,267/yr
Colorado
$4.618/gal$1,872/yr
Minnesota
$4.344/gal$1,761/yr
Massachusetts
$4.448/gal$1,803/yr
| State | Gas Price | Annual Cost | vs. National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| National AvgEPA default | $4.490/gal | $1,820/yr | — |
| California | $5.957/gal | $2,415/yrHIGHEST | +$595 |
| Texas | $3.888/gal | $1,576/yrLOWEST | $-244 |
| Florida | $4.136/gal | $1,677/yr | $-143 |
| New York | $4.522/gal | $1,833/yr | +$13 |
| Ohio | $4.510/gal | $1,828/yr | +$8 |
| Washington | $5.591/gal | $2,267/yr | +$447 |
| Colorado | $4.618/gal | $1,872/yr | +$52 |
| Minnesota | $4.344/gal | $1,761/yr | $-59 |
| Massachusetts | $4.448/gal | $1,803/yr | $-17 |
Calculated at 15,000 miles/year (EPA standard assumption) using 37 MPG combined. Regular gasoline prices. Actual costs vary.
Related
Volkswagen Passat Wagon MPG History
See how this model's fuel economy changed by year