Audi 5000S Wagon
18 MPG The 1988 Audi 5000S Wagon is EPA-rated at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 21 highway). Over 15,000 miles a year that is about 833 gallons, $2667 a year in fuel, or $0.178 per mile at $3.20/gal.
Across its full 1984–1988 run it averages 18.1 MPG, essentially flat across 5 model years.
Running cost at different fuel prices and mileages
The figure everyone actually wants, and the one the EPA does not publish — because it depends on a fuel price no agency will commit to.
| Fuel price | Per mile | 10,000 mi/yr | 15,000 mi/yr | 20,000 mi/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2.50/gal | $0.139 | $1389 | $2083 | $2778 |
| $3.00/gal | $0.167 | $1667 | $2500 | $3333 |
| $3.20/gal | $0.178 | $1778 | $2667 | $3556 |
| $3.50/gal | $0.194 | $1944 | $2917 | $3889 |
| $4.00/gal | $0.222 | $2222 | $3333 | $4444 |
| $4.50/gal | $0.250 | $2500 | $3750 | $5000 |
| $5.00/gal | $0.278 | $2778 | $4167 | $5556 |
Every model year
| Year | Combined | City | Highway | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Trims |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 18 MPG | 16 | 21 | $3450 | 494 | 2 |
| 1987 | 18 MPG | 16 | 21.3 | $3463 | 494 | 4 |
| 1986 | 18 MPG | 16 | 21.5 | $3475 | 495 | 2 |
| 1985 | 18 MPG | 16 | 21.5 | $3475 | 495 | 2 |
| 1984 | 18.3 MPG | 15.8 | 22 | $3425 | 488 | 4 |
Where a model year offered several engines or drivetrains, the figure is the average across all EPA-tested trims that year — the trim count is shown so you can see how much averaging is involved.
How it compares in its class
Among the 21 midsize-large station wagons models tracked here, the Audi 5000S Wagon ranks 13 on current figures, against a class average of 19.6 MPG.
Closest more-efficient alternatives in the same class: Volvo 960 Wagon (18.5), Ford Taurus Wagon (19), Mercury Sable Wagon (19), Mitsubishi Expo (20), Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser (20).
Tailpipe CO₂ is rated at 494 grams per mile, which works out to roughly 7.4 tonnes a year at 15,000 miles.
Questions
What MPG does the Audi 5000S Wagon get?
The 1988 Audi 5000S Wagon is rated at 18 MPG combined by the EPA — 16 city and 21 highway. Across all 5 model years in the database it averages 18.1 MPG, ranging from 17 to 19 depending on year and trim.
How much does a Audi 5000S Wagon cost in fuel per year?
At 18 MPG and 15,000 miles a year, it burns about 833 gallons — roughly $2667 a year with fuel at $3.20 a gallon, or $0.178 per mile. The EPA's own published annual figure for the 1988 model is $3450.
Has the Audi 5000S Wagon become more efficient over time?
Barely. It sits at 18 MPG today against 18.3 in 1984 — essentially flat across 5 model years, with efficiency gains offset by weight and power creep.
Is the Audi 5000S Wagon efficient for its class?
It ranks 13 of 21 in the Midsize-Large Station Wagons class on current figures, against a class average of 19.6 MPG. That is 1.6 worse than typical for the class.
EPA test figures from fueleconomy.gov. Cost per mile and annual fuel spend are computed at a reference price of $3.20 per gallon — use your own price. Estimates based on official test figures and average fuel prices. Real-world consumption varies with driving style, load, terrain and maintenance.