Chevrolet Nova
1985–1988 · 10 configurations
The Chevrolet Nova has been tested by the EPA across 10 different configurations spanning model years 1985 through 1988. Over this period, the Nova has achieved combined fuel economy ratings ranging from 23 MPG to 29 MPG, with an overall average of 27 MPG across all engine, transmission, and drivetrain combinations. Below you will find a comprehensive breakdown of every tested configuration, organized by model year. Click any row to view detailed specifications, emissions data, and annual fuel cost estimates for that specific vehicle.
All Configurations
| Year | Powertrain | Annual Cost | City | Hwy | Comb MPG | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd • Regular | $2,300 | 23 | 29 | 26MPG | |
| 1988 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd • Regular | $2,050 | 26 | 33 | 29MPG | |
| 1988 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd • Regular | $2,600 | 21 | 26 | 23MPG | |
| 1988 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd • Regular | $2,500 | 22 | 27 | 24MPG | |
| 1987 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd • Regular | $2,300 | 24 | 29 | 26MPG | |
| 1987 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd • Regular | $2,150 | 25 | 33 | 28MPG | |
| 1986 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd • Regular | $2,300 | 24 | 29 | 26MPG | |
| 1986 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd • Regular | $2,050 | 26 | 33 | 29MPG | |
| 1985 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd • Regular | $2,300 | 23 | 29 | 26MPG | |
| 1985 | 1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd • Regular | $2,050 | 26 | 34 | 29MPG |
Historical Efficiency
Safety Rating History
NHTSA typically tests the base platform of a vehicle and does not test every specific trim level. This specific configuration (Nova) has not been independently rated.
Complaint & Incident History
The data below represents all official consumer complaints reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the Chevrolet Nova. Click on any year to drill down and read the unedited, raw problem narratives submitted directly by vehicle owners.
Fatal Crash History (FARS)
The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) is a nationwide census providing NHTSA, Congress and the American public yearly data regarding fatal injuries suffered in motor vehicle traffic crashes. The data below represents historical totals for the Chevrolet Chevrolet Nova/Geo Prizm/Prism grouping as reported by the NHTSA.
Total Fatal Crashes9Total Deaths7
Incident Risk Profile
Breakdown of the initial point of impact across all fatal collisions involving this model.