MPGTerminal
46/100
1994Compact CarsRegular

1994 Geo Prizm

EPA ID: 10898
23
City MPG
26
Combined MPG
26MPG· Average
31
Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 1994 Geo Prizm achieves an EPA-estimated 26 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 23 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine paired with a manual 5-spd, this compact cars features Front-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 1994 Prizm produces approximately 342 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 Prizm performs better than the national average in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $2,300, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $750 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 ClassCompact Cars
Fuel TypeRegular
Engine1.6L 4-cyl
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions342 g/mi
Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped
GHG Score-1/10
Smog RatingN/A
Est. Annual Cost$2,300
5-Year Cost DeltaSave $750

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
26.0
Impact vs EPA
$-2
/ 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
$540/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
$14,000
43.2%
Fuel & Electricity
Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)
$10,096
31.2%
Estimated Insurance
Based on vehicle class risk profile
$7,900
24.4%
State Registration Fees
Based on National Average DMV base rates
$400
1.2%
Total 5-Year Cost$32,396

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #10E002000·2010-03-15
critical
Component: SUSPENSION

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Campaign #96V107000·1996-05-08
advisory
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.

Campaign #94E021002·1994-09-21
moderate
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR STRAPS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE ANCHOR STRAP. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: IF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SEPARATES FROM THE ANCHOR STRAPIN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT, THE SEAT OCCUPANT IS EXPOSED TO INCREASED RISK OFPERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ANCHOR STRAPS AND REPLACE THOSE WITH SUSPECT DATE CODES "52733D 032" OR "52733D 042".

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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 Geo Prizm configurations.

View Model History

Similar 1994 Compact Cars Alternatives

1994 Ford Escort

1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

26MPG
City: 23Hwy: 32$2,300/yr

1994 Kia Sephia

1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

26MPG
City: 23Hwy: 30$2,300/yr

1994 Mercury Tracer

1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

26MPG
City: 23Hwy: 32$2,300/yr

1994 Saturn SL

1.9L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

26MPG
City: 23Hwy: 32$2,300/yr

1994 Toyota Corolla

1.6L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

26MPG
City: 23Hwy: 31$2,300/yr

1994 Toyota Corolla

1.8L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive

26MPG
City: 23Hwy: 31$2,300/yr

Fuel Cost Analysis

Annual Fuel Cost$2,300
vs. Avg Vehicle (5 yrs)Save $750

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

Efficiency Breakdown

City23 MPG
Highway31 MPG
Combined26 MPG

Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

68.4 metric tons CO₂
Equivalent To:
🌳 85 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs
✈️ 5.7 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.