What is the fuel economy of a 1982 Dodge Rampage?
The typical fuel economy for a 1982 Dodge Rampage with the 2.2-liter inline-four sits in the mid-20s mpg, with manual transmissions tending toward the upper end and highway driving sometimes reaching the low 30s mpg. Exact figures depend on drivetrain and driving conditions.
The Rampage was a compact pickup introduced by Dodge in the early 1980s and built on the K-car platform. Its fuel economy is influenced primarily by the engine and transmission choice, plus factors like cargo load, aerodynamics, and maintenance. This article summarizes the commonly reported ranges and explains why numbers can vary.
Engine and transmission options
The Rampage used Chrysler's 2.2-liter inline-four as its standard powerplant, paired with either a 3-speed automatic or a 4-speed manual transmission. These two configurations produced noticeable differences in fuel efficiency, especially in city driving and during highway cruising.
2.2L inline-four
The 2.2L engine delivered modest power by modern standards, but it was lightweight and paired with the Rampage’s small pickup footprint. Its efficiency characteristics were typical of early 1980s small-car powertrains, with realistic mpg affected by gearing, load, and maintenance.
Estimated fuel economy by drivetrain
The figures below reflect common EPA-era estimates and veteran owner reports for the 1982 Rampage, recognizing that actual mileage varied by testing cycle and vehicle condition. Use these as a framework rather than exact, universal numbers.
- 3-speed automatic transmission: roughly 23–25 mpg in city driving and about 29–32 mpg on the highway.
- 4-speed manual transmission: roughly 25–28 mpg in city driving and about 30–34 mpg on the highway.
In practice, real-world mileage could swing lower or higher based on factors such as cargo load, tire choice, climate control usage, driving style, and how well the engine and drivetrain were maintained.
Notes on accuracy and variability
Because the Rampage was produced in the early 1980s, official EPA test data can be inconsistent by modern standards, and many published figures derive from period documents and owner reports. The broad takeaway is that the 2.2L Rampage offered fuel economy in the mid-20s to low-30s mpg range, with manual gearing providing a modest boost in highway efficiency.
Summary
The 1982 Dodge Rampage achieved fuel economy primarily through its light K-car-based design and a 2.2-liter inline-four. Transmission choice mattered: manuals typically yielded higher mpg than automatics, with city driving in the mid-20s mpg and highway driving often reaching the low-to-mid-30s mpg. Real-world results vary based on condition, load, and driving habits.
