Back in the 1960s, when gasoline was incredibly cheap – around 35 cents a gallon – fuel economy wasn’t exactly a primary concern for car buyers. This was the golden era of iconic muscle cars, legendary machines like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger. These vehicles, roaring onto American roads with powerful big-block V8 engines, became symbols of automotive freedom and performance. However, this era of cheap gas and powerful engines also inadvertently birthed a legacy of Cars With The Worst Mpg that America has ever seen.
While not all vehicles with dismal fuel economy hail from the 1960s, a significant portion of them do. And while low gas prices were the norm back then, anyone considering driving one of these notorious gas guzzlers today needs to be prepared for frequent and costly visits to the pump. Let’s dive into some of the most iconic and thirsty American cars in history.
Chevrolet Corvette: A Legend with a Thirst
1960 Chevrolet Corvette
Image alt: 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, a classic American sports car known for being among cars with the worst mpg.
The Chevrolet Corvette, first launched in 1953, rapidly achieved legendary status, especially throughout the 1960s. Production numbers soared from an initial 1,000 units annually to approximately 27,000. During this decade, the second-generation Corvette offered a range of potent engine choices and several high-performance variants. The 1960 model, a prime example from this era, featured a fuel-hungry V8 engine that delivered a mere 13 to 14 mpg. For a car synonymous with American performance, fuel efficiency was clearly an afterthought.
Pontiac Grand Prix: Grand Performance, Grand Fuel Consumption
1964 Pontiac Grand Prix
Image alt: 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix, a vintage gas guzzler and one of the cars with the worst mpg from the 1960s.
Introduced in 1962 and produced until 2008, the Pontiac Grand Prix’s initial generations were powered by robust V8 engines. These engines were available in sizes from 6.4L to a massive 7.0L. The second generation, debuting in 1968, pushed the premium V8 option even further to a substantial 7.5L. Depending on the engine configuration, the Grand Prix was estimated to achieve a fuel economy of just 10 to 14 mpg. This luxury performance car prioritized power over efficiency, firmly placing it among the cars with the worst mpg.
Pontiac Bonneville: Speed and Style at the Pump’s Expense
1963 Pontiac Bonneville convertible
Image alt: 1963 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, a classic American car with poor fuel economy, exemplifying cars with the worst mpg.
The Pontiac Bonneville, named after the famed Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah – a place synonymous with land speed records – was introduced in 1957. It was marketed as a vehicle that combined luxury with performance. This was largely thanks to its muscle-car-era V8 engine, offered in five different options ranging from 6.4L to a massive 7.5L. During the 1960s, this V8 was rumored to deliver an average fuel economy of around 10 mpg. While Pontiac attempted to improve fuel efficiency in 1977 due to the gas embargo of the 1970s by downsizing the engine, even the 1988 model’s reported 11.5 mpg was hardly impressive. The Bonneville, especially in its earlier iterations, remains a notable example of cars with the worst mpg.
Dodge Viper: V10 Power, V0 Fuel Economy
1992 Dodge Viper
Image alt: 1992 Dodge Viper, a powerful sports car with a V10 engine, recognized as one of the cars with the worst mpg in the 1990s.
Photo Credit: artistmac
The original Dodge Viper, launched in 1992, made a bold statement. Priced at $50,000, only 155 of these highly sought-after sports cars were sold between 1992 and 1993. In a clear escalation from the V8 muscle cars of the 60s, the Viper opted for a massive V10 engine. This 8.0L V10 produced 400 horsepower but only managed around 11 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. With a 22-gallon tank, frequent refueling was a given, especially considering the Viper’s inherent urge for spirited driving. The Viper, while exhilarating, is undoubtedly among the cars with the worst mpg from the modern era.
Pontiac GTO: The Muscle Car Icon with a Thirsty Engine
Pontiac GTO
Image alt: Pontiac GTO, an iconic muscle car and a prime example of cars with the worst mpg from the 1960s muscle car era.
The Pontiac GTO, introduced in 1963, is widely credited with igniting the muscle car craze. Featuring a powerful V8 engine and named after a European racing series, the GTO appealed to American enthusiasts despite some FIA racing fans’ disapproval. Offered as both a hardtop and convertible from 1964 to 1967, the Pontiac GTO could be equipped with either a 6.4L or 6.6L V8, producing between 335 and 360 horsepower depending on options. However, fuel economy was consistently poor, regardless of the engine choice. Staying true to its racing inspiration, the GTO averaged a dismal 10.3 mpg, solidifying its place among the cars with the worst mpg.
Ford Mustang: A Pony Car with a Big Appetite
Image alt: 1964 Ford Mustang, a classic pony car that, in its original form, is recognized among cars with the worst mpg.
First introduced by Ford Motor Company in 1964, the Ford Mustang drew inspiration from the intermediate-sized muscle cars of the 1950s to become the quintessential sports car of the 60s. The highly anticipated Mustang was an instant hit, selling 22,000 units on its first day and a million in its first two years. While the Ford Mustang has evolved through numerous generations and improved (marginally) in fuel efficiency, the original 1960s pony cars were not known for their economy, averaging around 10 mpg. These early Mustangs, despite their popularity, are certainly contenders in the category of cars with the worst mpg.
GMC Hummer: Modern Military-Grade Gas Guzzler
Hummer – cars with the worst mpg
Image alt: GMC Hummer H1, a modern SUV with notoriously poor fuel economy, representing cars with the worst mpg in recent decades.
The Hummer stands out as a more recent example on this list of cars with the worst mpg, breaking the 1960s muscle car trend. Originally built by AM General for the U.S. Army, the Hummer was released to the civilian market in 1992. General Motors acquired the Hummer brand in 1999 and introduced the H1, H2, and H3 models. Production numbers were never high, but fuel economy was consistently terrible across all models and years. For instance, the 2002 Hummer model was rated at a mere 9.6 mpg. The new EV Hummer hopefully redeems this legacy of gas-guzzling.
Dodge Challenger: Late to the Muscle Car Party, But Still Thirsty
1970 Dodge Challenger
Image alt: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, a classic muscle car from the early 1970s that is still known for being among cars with the worst mpg.
Dodge launched the Challenger in 1970 as their entry into the market dominated by the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. While it arrived slightly after the peak of the 60s muscle car era, it embraced the same principles. The base Challenger offered either an I6 or V8 engine, while the upgraded Challenger R/T came with a 6.3L “Magnum” V8 producing 335 horsepower. Optional R/T engines included even more powerful 7.2L Magnums, 7.2L Six-Packs, and the 7.0L Hemi rated at 425 horsepower. Drivers of these original Challengers reported fuel economy figures as low as 8 to 10 mpg, placing them firmly among the cars with the worst mpg.
Dodge Charger: Charging Hard, Burning Fuel Fast
1969 Dodge Charger
Image alt: 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, a legendary muscle car famous for its power and infamous for being one of the cars with the worst mpg.
Photo Credit: Rex Gray
Following the Challenger, Dodge continued its trend of powerful V8s with the second generation Dodge Charger. Available from 1968 to 1970, the second-gen Charger thrived during the final years of cheap gasoline. The 1969 Dodge Charger R/T boasted a massive 7.2L V8 producing 431 horsepower. This engine perfectly matched the aggressive styling of the Charger, but fuel economy was far from a priority. Drivers were fortunate to achieve double-digit mpg figures with careful driving; the second-gen Charger is reported to average around 8.7 mpg, making it another example of cars with the worst mpg.
Chevrolet Camaro: Mustang’s Rival in Power and Fuel Consumption
Chevrolet Camaro
Image alt: Chevrolet Camaro SS, a muscle car icon and direct competitor to the Mustang, also known as one of the cars with the worst mpg of its era.
The Chevrolet Camaro was initially created as Chevrolet’s answer to the Ford Mustang in 1966. The first generation of the Camaro, produced in the U.S. from 1966 to 1969, embodied everything associated with the 1960s muscle car era – including exceptionally poor fuel economy. The base Camaro came with a 140 horsepower, 3.8L I6 engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission. However, as buyers upgraded to performance packages like the SS and Z/28, the engine was swapped for a (very) thirsty V8. Owners of the original generation Camaro have reported fuel economy ranging from a shockingly low 5.5 mpg to a slightly better 9.2 mpg. The Camaro, particularly in its high-performance trims, rightly earns its place among the cars with the worst mpg.
The Enduring Appeal of American Gas Guzzlers
While these cars with the lowest mpg are certainly not kind to your wallet at the gas pump, they hold a special place in automotive history and enthusiasts’ hearts. For muscle car aficionados and those drawn to nostalgia, these models possess an appeal that transcends practical considerations. Whether it’s their striking aesthetics or the unmistakable roar of their gas-guzzling V8 engines, there’s an undeniable allure to these American classics that keeps them on the road today – even if it means frequent stops at the gas station. They represent a bygone era of automotive indulgence, where power and style reigned supreme, and fuel economy was simply an afterthought.
