Ford Mustang
21 MPG The 2026 Ford Mustang is EPA-rated at 21 MPG combined (17.7 city / 26.7 highway). Over 15,000 miles a year that is about 714 gallons, $2286 a year in fuel, or $0.152 per mile at $3.20/gal.
Across its full 1984–2026 run it averages 19.9 MPG, improving by 2.7 MPG over 43 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 | $0.119 | $1190 | $1786 | $2381 |
| $3.00/gal | $0.143 | $1429 | $2143 | $2857 |
| $3.20/gal | $0.152 | $1524 | $2286 | $3048 |
| $3.50/gal | $0.167 | $1667 | $2500 | $3333 |
| $4.00/gal | $0.190 | $1905 | $2857 | $3810 |
| $4.50/gal | $0.214 | $2143 | $3214 | $4286 |
| $5.00/gal | $0.238 | $2381 | $3571 | $4762 |
Every model year
| Year | Combined | City | Highway | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Trims |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 MPG | 17.7 | 26.7 | $3050 | 434 | 3 |
| 2025 | 21 MPG | 17.7 | 26.7 | $3050 | 434 | 3 |
| 2024 | 19.6 MPG | 16.4 | 25.4 | $3250 | 462 | 5 |
| 2023 | 22 MPG | 18.8 | 28 | $2890 | 412 | 5 |
| 2022 | 22.2 MPG | 18.8 | 28.2 | $2870 | 411 | 5 |
| 2021 | 22.2 MPG | 18.6 | 28.2 | $2870 | 410 | 5 |
| 2020 | 21.5 MPG | 18.3 | 27.8 | $2963 | 421 | 4 |
| 2019 | 21.8 MPG | 18.3 | 28 | $2938 | 419 | 4 |
| 2018 | 21.8 MPG | 18.3 | 28.3 | $2938 | 415 | 4 |
| 2017 | 21 MPG | 18 | 27.2 | $3000 | 430 | 6 |
| 2016 | 21.8 MPG | 18.3 | 27.8 | $2900 | 416 | 6 |
| 2015 | 21.8 MPG | 18.3 | 27.8 | $2900 | 413 | 6 |
| 2014 | 20.4 MPG | 17.4 | 26.6 | $3250 | 437 | 5 |
| 2013 | 20.4 MPG | 17.4 | 26.6 | $3250 | 438 | 5 |
| 2012 | 20.6 MPG | 17.6 | 26.4 | $3210 | 435 | 5 |
| 2011 | 20.4 MPG | 17.6 | 26.4 | $3260 | 440 | 5 |
| 2010 | 19 MPG | 16.2 | 23.8 | $3480 | 470 | 5 |
| 2009 | 18.2 MPG | 15.4 | 23 | $3620 | 491 | 5 |
| 2008 | 18.2 MPG | 15.4 | 23 | $3620 | 491 | 5 |
| 2007 | 18.2 MPG | 15.4 | 22.8 | $3620 | 491 | 5 |
| 2006 | 18.8 MPG | 16 | 23.5 | $3325 | 475 | 4 |
| 2005 | 18.8 MPG | 16.3 | 23.5 | $3325 | 475 | 4 |
| 2004 | 18.9 MPG | 16.2 | 23.7 | $3306 | 474 | 9 |
| 2003 | 18.7 MPG | 16 | 23.1 | $3464 | 477 | 7 |
| 2002 | 19.5 MPG | 16.5 | 24.3 | $3200 | 457 | 4 |
| 2001 | 18.8 MPG | 16.2 | 24 | $3480 | 474 | 5 |
| 2000 | 18.2 MPG | 15.5 | 22.7 | $3792 | 497 | 6 |
| 1999 | 18.8 MPG | 15.8 | 23.6 | $3500 | 476 | 5 |
| 1998 | 19 MPG | 16.2 | 24.4 | $3450 | 470 | 5 |
| 1997 | 19.4 MPG | 16.4 | 24.8 | $3370 | 460 | 5 |
| 1996 | 19.6 MPG | 16.6 | 25 | $3340 | 455 | 5 |
| 1995 | 18.4 MPG | 15.4 | 23.6 | $3420 | 489 | 5 |
| 1994 | 19.3 MPG | 16.3 | 24.8 | $3238 | 464 | 4 |
| 1993 | 19.8 MPG | 17 | 24.3 | $3200 | 456 | 4 |
| 1992 | 19.8 MPG | 17.3 | 24.8 | $3188 | 454 | 4 |
| 1991 | 19.8 MPG | 17.3 | 24.8 | $3188 | 454 | 4 |
| 1990 | 19.8 MPG | 17.3 | 23.8 | $3188 | 457 | 4 |
| 1989 | 19.8 MPG | 17 | 23.8 | $3175 | 454 | 4 |
| 1988 | 20.3 MPG | 17.8 | 24.8 | $3125 | 446 | 4 |
| 1987 | 20.6 MPG | 18.2 | 24.8 | $3070 | 438 | 5 |
| 1986 | 19.5 MPG | 17.3 | 23.5 | $3208 | 459 | 6 |
| 1985 | 19.4 MPG | 17.7 | 23.1 | $3240 | 463 | 10 |
| 1984 | 18.3 MPG | 16.3 | 22.2 | $3442 | 491 | 12 |
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 229 subcompact cars models tracked here, the Ford Mustang ranks 140 on current figures, against a class average of 24.2 MPG.
Closest more-efficient alternatives in the same class: Eagle Talon (21.4), Audi A4 Cabriolet quattro (21.5), BMW 128i (21.5), BMW 135i (21.5), Dodge Daytona (21.8).
Tailpipe CO₂ is rated at 434 grams per mile, which works out to roughly 6.5 tonnes a year at 15,000 miles.
Questions
What MPG does the Ford Mustang get?
The 2026 Ford Mustang is rated at 21 MPG combined by the EPA — 17.7 city and 26.7 highway. Across all 43 model years in the database it averages 19.9 MPG, ranging from 14 to 26 depending on year and trim.
How much does a Ford Mustang cost in fuel per year?
At 21 MPG and 15,000 miles a year, it burns about 714 gallons — roughly $2286 a year with fuel at $3.20 a gallon, or $0.152 per mile. The EPA's own published annual figure for the 2026 model is $3050.
Has the Ford Mustang become more efficient over time?
Yes. It has gone from 18.3 MPG in 1984 to 21 in 2026 — an improvement of 2.7 MPG, or 15% across 43 model years.
Is the Ford Mustang efficient for its class?
It ranks 140 of 229 in the Subcompact Cars class on current figures, against a class average of 24.2 MPG. That is 3.2 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.