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Chevrolet Nova MPG

EPA fuel economy for 10 Chevrolet Nova trims sold from 1985 to 1988. Best ever: 29 MPG (1988 Nova). Latest model year 1988: 23 to 29 MPG combined across 4 trims.

29best combined MPG (1988)
26 / 33city / highway of the best trim
23lowest combined MPG (1988)
4model years rated
$2,320a year to fuel, cheapest 1988 trim at EPA prices

Chevrolet Nova fuel cost calculator

Enter what you pay for fuel and how far you drive in a year. The starting prices are the ones the EPA uses for its own yearly fuel-cost estimates. Every cost on this page updates as you type.

At $4.48 a gallon for regular and 15,000 miles a year, the cheapest 1988 Chevrolet Nova to fuel is the Nova, 1.6 L, 4 cyl (29 MPG) at $2,320 a year. The Nova, 1.6 L, 4 cyl (23 MPG) costs $2,920, so the thriftier trim saves $600 a year and $3,000 over five years.

1988 trimEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCombCost/yrvs cheapest
Nova1.6 L, 4 cylManual 5-spdFWDRegular29$2,320cheapest
Nova1.6 L, 4 cylAuto 3-spdFWDRegular26$2,580+$270
Nova1.6 L, 4 cylManual 5-spdFWDRegular24$2,800+$480
Nova1.6 L, 4 cylAuto 4-spdFWDRegular23$2,920+$600

Cost per year is miles per year divided by the EPA combined rating, times your fuel price; electric vehicles use the EPA's kWh per 100 miles instead. Rounded to the nearest $10. Your prices are kept in this browser only.

Chevrolet Nova MPG by year

YearBest combinedCityHwyBest trim that yearTrims
1988292633Nova, 1.6 L, 4 cyl, Manual 5-spd4
1987282533Nova, 1.6 L, 4 cyl, Manual 5-spd2
1986292633Nova, 1.6 L, 4 cyl, Manual 5-spd2
1985292634Nova, 1.6 L, 4 cyl, Manual 5-spd2

Every Chevrolet Nova trim

YearTrimEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCityHwyCombCO2 g/miFuel cost/yr
1988Nova1.6 L, 4 cylManual 5-spdFWDRegular263329306$2,320
1988Nova1.6 L, 4 cylAuto 3-spdFWDRegular232926342$2,580
1988Nova1.6 L, 4 cylManual 5-spdFWDRegular222724370$2,800
1988Nova1.6 L, 4 cylAuto 4-spdFWDRegular212623386$2,920
1987Nova1.6 L, 4 cylManual 5-spdFWDRegular253328317$2,400
1987Nova1.6 L, 4 cylAuto 3-spdFWDRegular242926342$2,580
1986Nova1.6 L, 4 cylManual 5-spdFWDRegular263329306$2,320
1986Nova1.6 L, 4 cylAuto 3-spdFWDRegular242926342$2,580
1985Nova1.6 L, 4 cylManual 5-spdFWDRegular263429306$2,320
1985Nova1.6 L, 4 cylAuto 3-spdFWDRegular232926342$2,580

CO2 is tailpipe grams per mile from the EPA test. Fuel cost per year uses the prices and miles in the calculator above (the EPA's own prices and 15,000 miles a year until you change them); blank when the fuel has no price here (hydrogen, natural gas).

Compare with other 1988 Compact Cars

VehicleCombinedCityHwy
1988 Ford Escort322838
1988 Pontiac Lemans302736
1988 Nissan Sentra282532
1988 Buick Skyhawk272334
1988 Mazda 323272430
1988 Mercury Tracer272432

All Compact Cars ranked by MPG

Questions people ask

What is the best MPG for a Chevrolet Nova?

The most efficient Chevrolet Nova the EPA has rated is the 1988 Nova at 29 MPG combined (26 city, 33 highway).

What MPG does the 1988 Chevrolet Nova get?

1988 Chevrolet Nova trims range from 23 to 29 MPG combined, depending on engine, transmission and drivetrain.

Which Chevrolet Nova has the worst fuel economy?

The 1988 Nova is the lowest rated at 23 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a Chevrolet Nova for a year?

At $4.48 a gallon for regular and 15,000 miles a year, the cheapest 1988 Chevrolet Nova to fuel is the Nova, 1.6 L, 4 cyl (29 MPG) at $2,320 a year. The Nova, 1.6 L, 4 cyl (23 MPG) costs $2,920, so the thriftier trim saves $600 a year and $3,000 over five years.

More from Chevrolet: every Chevrolet model. Fuel types on this model: Regular. EPA classes: Compact Cars.