How many miles per gallon does a Chevy Chevette get?
The short answer is that the Chevette’s fuel economy varied widely by year, engine, and transmission. Most models from the era averaged roughly mid-30s miles per gallon in mixed driving, with highway numbers generally higher than city figures and manual transmissions often delivering better efficiency than automatics.
What influenced Chevette fuel economy
Several factors shaped the MPG outcomes for Chevettes across its production run, including mechanical configuration, emission-era changes, and how the car was driven and maintained.
- Engine size and type: Chevettes used small inline-four engines common to the era; smaller engines generally use less fuel than larger ones.
- Transmission choice: Manual transmissions are typically more fuel-efficient than automatics in these cars, due to less drivetrain weight and fewer power-sapping steps in gear changes.
- Year and emission standards: Cars from the late 1970s and early 1980s shifted through carburetion to more advanced fuel-management and stricter emissions, which could alter MPG up or down depending on tuning and maintenance.
- Driving conditions and maintenance: Proper tire inflation, regular tune-ups, and moderate driving reduce fuel consumption compared to aggressive driving and failing components.
- Vehicle condition and wear: Worn components or poor maintenance can lower mpg significantly over time.
These factors together mean there isn't a single, universal MPG figure for the Chevette; owners today should expect variation based on configuration and driving habits.
Typical MPG ranges you might see
For reference, here are general guidance ranges based on historical data and common configurations. Real-world numbers will vary by year, engine, and how the car is driven.
- Highway driving with a manual-transmission Chevette: often in the upper 30s mpg, with occasional reports near 40 mpg under optimal conditions.
- City driving or mixed driving with an automatic: often in the 20s to low 30s mpg range.
- Best-case mixed driving with a well-tuned engine and light-footed driving: commonly mid-30s mpg, sometimes approaching the high 30s to around 40 mpg on long highway trips.
In practice, most Chevette owners in the era reported mid-30s mpg in mixed use, while highway-friendly trips with careful driving could nudge that higher. Maintenance and tire inflation play a significant role in achieving these figures.
Summary
The Chevy Chevette's miles-per-gallon varied widely by year, engine and transmission. While manual versions generally offered better fuel economy, the era's changing emissions rules and technology means MPG ranged roughly from the low 20s to about 40 mpg. For a ballpark figure, expect mid-30s mpg in typical mixed driving, with highway numbers higher and city numbers lower. As with any classic car, real-world results depend on upkeep and how you drive it.
Was the Chevy Chevette a good car?
The Chevy Chevette was a good car for its time, primarily because it was affordable and offered excellent fuel economy during the era of the 1970s oil crisis. It was a utilitarian, reliable, and inexpensive entry-level vehicle that sold well for model years 1979 and 1980, and many owners have fond memories of its dependability. However, it was a mechanically simple car with low horsepower and lacked style, which led to criticism for being a less advanced option compared to its front-wheel-drive Japanese and European competitors.
Pros of the Chevette
- Fuel efficiency: It was designed to be a gas-sipper, achieving up to 40 MPG on the highway with its base engine and even higher figures with its optional diesel engine.
- Affordability: The Chevette was an inexpensive new car with low operating costs, which made car ownership accessible for many people.
- Reliability: Many owners found the car to be dependable, with GM focusing on building a car that was mechanically sound and built to last.
- Success: It was the best-selling small car in the U.S. for model years 1979 and 1980, with 2.8 million units produced over its lifetime.
Cons of the Chevette
- Lack of power: With 52 horsepower in its base 1.4-liter engine and a maximum of 74 horsepower in later models, acceleration was slow.
- Basic and unstylish: The car had a boxy, utilitarian design with minimal options, and its rear-wheel-drive platform made for an awkward driveline tunnel that reduced passenger room.
- Outdated technology: It was a technologically crude car compared to its competitors, which were already moving to front-wheel-drive.
- Quality issues: Some models had reported mechanical issues and poor construction, and certain parts, like the floor, were known to rot out over time.
What Chevy gets 40 mpg?
Chevrolet Cruze
The Chevy Cruze is a compact sedan known for its fuel economy. With up to 40 MPG on the highway, it's one of Chevrolet's most efficient cars. The Cruze is perfect for daily commutes or long road trips, and its compact size makes it easy to navigate city streets and tight parking spots.
What was the gas mileage on the Chevy Chevette?
28 mpg city/40 mpg highway
The base 1.4-liter engine was rated at 28 mpg city/40 mpg highway, figures unheard of in past domestic models.
How many miles per gallon did a 1979 Chevy Chevette get?
Chevette sales totaled more than 451,000 units – a figure that would rank it second only to Chevrolet's new Citation, which had a much longer model run (sales had started in April 1979). Consumer Guide testers managed "an honest 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway".
