How many miles per gallon does a 1987 Chevy Sprint get?
In mixed driving, a 1987 Chevy Sprint typically achieves about 40 miles per gallon, with city mileage in the 38–44 mpg range and highway mileage around 45–50 mpg, depending on engine and transmission configuration and overall condition.
Overview of the Sprint
The Chevy Sprint was the U.S. badge-engineered version of the Suzuki Cultus (also known as the Swift in some markets). For the 1987 model year, buyers could choose between two engines: a small 1.0-liter three-cylinder and a slightly larger 1.3-liter four-cylinder. Transmission options typically included a five-speed manual or, less commonly, a four-speed automatic. This combination of light weight and small displacement helped contribute to the Sprint’s relatively favorable fuel economy for its era.
Fuel economy by configuration
These figures reflect historical EPA-style estimates and common owner reports from the era. Actual mileage depends on maintenance, tire condition, payload, and driving style.
- 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine with five-speed manual: typically around 40–50 mpg on the highway, with city mileage around 30–40 mpg, resulting in a common combined range near 40–46 mpg.
- 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual: typically 35–40 mpg in the city and 45–50 mpg on the highway, with a combined range around 40–45 mpg.
- 1.0-liter engine with an automatic transmission: generally a few mpg lower in city driving, roughly 32–38 mpg in the city and 45–50 mpg on the highway, with a combined around 38–42 mpg.
Note: These are approximate ranges. Individual cars and conditions can push numbers outside this band.
Factors that influence mileage
Several factors can influence the Sprint’s fuel economy, including maintenance (tune-ups, spark plugs, oxygen sensor if applicable), tire pressure, payload, driving habits (starts/stops, aggressive acceleration), and whether the vehicle is in good mechanical condition. On older vehicles, even small issues can noticeably affect miles per gallon.
Practical takeaways for collectors and drivers
For enthusiasts assessing a 1987 Sprint today, expect mileage that reflects late-1980s testing standards: highway figures tend to be stronger than city figures, but real-world results vary widely based on upkeep. If you’re buying one, a thorough inspection of the fuel system, ignition, and exhaust components is prudent to maximize efficiency.
Summary
The 1987 Chevy Sprint offered respectable fuel economy for its class and era, with the best highway efficiency generally coming from the 1.0-liter manual configuration. The 1.3-liter variant traded a bit of city fuel economy for more power and similar highway performance. Across configurations, real-world mpg depends heavily on maintenance and driving conditions, but a typical Sprint from this year sits in the low-to-mid 40s mpg in mixed use.
