MPGTerminal
54/100
1986Subcompact CarsRegular

1986 Pontiac Sunburst

EPA ID: 1903
32
City MPG
34
Combined MPG
34MPG· Excellent
38
Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 1986 Pontiac Sunburst achieves an EPA-estimated 34 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 32 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine paired with a manual 5-spd, this subcompact cars features Front-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 1986 Sunburst produces approximately 261 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Sunburst performs better than the national average in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $1,750, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would spend $2,000 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassSubcompact Cars
Fuel TypeRegular
Engine1.5L 4-cyl
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions261 g/mi
Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped
GHG Score-1/10
Smog RatingN/A
Est. Annual Cost$1,750
5-Year Cost DeltaSpend $2,000

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG
34.4
Impact vs EPA
$-20
/ year
💨

Aerodynamic Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by roughly 15-20% at interstate speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost
$467/mo
Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.
15,000 mi
Value Depreciation
Est. value lost over 60 months
$12,500
44.6%
Fuel & Electricity
Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)
$7,721
27.6%
Estimated Insurance
Based on vehicle class risk profile
$7,375
26.3%
State Registration Fees
Based on National Average DMV base rates
$400
1.4%
Total 5-Year Cost$27,996

Recall Intelligence

✓ No recalls have been issued for this vehicle configuration.

Loading live complaint data...

Looking for comprehensive historical data?

NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crash History) and broader generational safety trends are aggregated at the model level rather than by specific engine configurations. View the complete historical data profile for all Pontiac Sunburst configurations.

View Model History

Similar 1986 Subcompact Cars Alternatives

1986 Chevrolet Spectrum

1.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

34MPG
City: 32Hwy: 38$1,750/yr

1986 Honda Civic

1.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

34MPG
City: 31Hwy: 39$1,750/yr

1986 Isuzu I-Mark

1.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

34MPG
City: 32Hwy: 38$1,750/yr

1986 Dodge Colt

1.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

33MPG
City: 31Hwy: 37$1,800/yr

1986 Mitsubishi Mirage

1.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

33MPG
City: 31Hwy: 37$1,800/yr

1986 Plymouth Colt

1.5L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

33MPG
City: 31Hwy: 37$1,800/yr

Fuel Cost Analysis

Annual Fuel Cost$1,750
vs. Avg Vehicle (5 yrs)Spend $2,000

Based on 15,000 miles/year and current fuel prices.

Efficiency Breakdown

City32 MPG
Highway38 MPG
Combined34 MPG

Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

52.3 metric tons CO₂
Equivalent To:
🌳 65 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs
✈️ 4.4 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.