Gallonly
2001 Ford Mustang Coupe
Shown: 2001 Ford Mustang Coupe. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Newest year: 2004
  • Gas
  • Small cars

2000-2004 Ford Mustang MPG & Fuel Cost

5 model years · 14–21 MPG combined

21 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
City
27 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost · Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD
$3,110

15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)

Cheaper to fuel than 6 of 10 small car configurations, MY2004. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.

2000-2004 Ford Mustang at a glance

The 2000-2004 Ford Mustang covers 5 model years in the EPA database (30 configurations in all), rated 14–21 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2004, costs about $3,110 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD (21 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The best combined rating in the generation, 21 MPG, was reached in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

2000-2004 Ford Mustang by model year

2000-2004 Ford Mustang: EPA combined rating and yearly fuel cost for each model year
Model yearPowertrainsCombined$/yrEPA ratings
2004 Gas 17–21 MPG $3,110–$3,840 Ratings changed
2003 Gas 17–21 MPG $3,110–$4,730 Ratings changed
2002 Gas 18–21 MPG $3,110–$3,630 Ratings changed
2001 Gas 18–20 MPG $3,270–$4,460 Ratings changed
2000 Gas 14–21 MPG $3,110–$5,740 First year

What the 2004 Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD costs to drive

Per month

$259

$3,110 a year ÷ 12

Per 25 miles

$5.18

Per 100 miles

$20.73

Five years

$15,550

5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level

vs the small car median

$540less a year

Class median $3,650 a year, MY2004

Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2004 Ford Mustang MPG

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.

Gas · 3.8L, 3.9L, 4.6L
Combined
17–21 MPG
Per year
$3,110–$3,840

Gas configurations (8)

2004 Ford Mustang gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 18 27 21 $3,110
Mustang 3.9L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 3.9L 6-cyl RWD 18 27 21 $3,110
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 17 25 20 $3,270
Mustang 3.9L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 3.9L 6-cyl RWD 17 24 20 $3,270
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 16 21 18 $3,630
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 15 23 18 $3,630
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 15 21 17 $3,840
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 15 22 17 $3,840

2003 Ford Mustang MPG

17–21 MPG · $3,110–$4,730/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.

Gas · 3.8L, 4.6L
Combined
17–21 MPG
Per year
$3,110–$4,730

Gas configurations (7)

2003 Ford Mustang gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 17 27 21 $3,110
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 17 25 20 $3,270
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 16 23 19 $3,440
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 16 22 18 $3,630
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 16 21 18 $3,630
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 15 23 18 $3,630
Show 0 more configurations
2003 Ford Mustang gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost (+1)
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd4.6L 8-cylRWD152117$4,730

1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2002 Ford Mustang MPG

18–21 MPG · $3,110–$3,630/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration moves from 20 to 21 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,270 to $3,110, $160 less.

Gas · 3.8L, 4.6L
Combined
18–21 MPG
Per year
$3,110–$3,630

Gas configurations (4)

2002 Ford Mustang gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 17 27 21 $3,110
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 17 25 20 $3,270
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 16 23 19 $3,440
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 16 22 18 $3,630

2001 Ford Mustang MPG

18–20 MPG · $3,270–$4,460/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration moves from 21 to 20 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,110 to $3,270, $160 more.

Gas · 3.8L, 4.6L
Combined
18–20 MPG
Per year
$3,270–$4,460

Gas configurations (5)

2001 Ford Mustang gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 17 25 20 $3,270
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 17 26 20 $3,270
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 16 23 18 $3,630
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 16 23 18 $3,630
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 15 23 18 $4,460

1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2000 Ford Mustang MPG

14–21 MPG · $3,110–$5,740/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Gas · 3.8L, 4.6L, 5.4L
Combined
14–21 MPG
Per year
$3,110–$5,740

Gas configurations (6)

2000 Ford Mustang gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 17 26 21 $3,110
Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 3.8L 6-cyl RWD 18 25 20 $3,270
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 16 22 18 $3,630
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 15 23 18 $3,630
Mustang 4.6L 8-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 15 23 18 $4,460
Mustang 5.4L 8-cyl 5.4L 8-cyl RWD 12 17 14 $5,740

2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

Fuel cost by state

Yearly cost of the Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD: $4,230 in California and $2,710 in Texas, a $1,520 difference.

Gasoline prices: California: California state average; Washington: Washington state average; New York: New York state average; Florida: Florida state average; Texas: Texas state average (Sep 2026).
Fuel cost in every state

Similar cars

Closest combined MPG among MY2004 small car models.

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city / 45% highway · How we calculate

Generations

Frequently asked questions

What gas mileage does the 2000-2004 Ford Mustang get?

EPA rates the 2000-2004 Ford Mustang at 14–21 MPG combined across 30 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2004 Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 21 MPG (18 city, 27 highway).

Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2004 Ford Mustang?

The Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 21 MPG, in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The lowest top rating, 20 MPG, was in 2001.

Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2004 Ford Mustang?

Yes. Ratings changed in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Ford Mustang per year?

Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD costs about $3,110 a year. Across all 8 configurations the cost runs $3,110–$3,840 a year. That is a $730 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.

How much does it cost to drive a 2004 Ford Mustang 100 miles?

About $20.73 per 100 miles for the Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $20.73 and $25.60 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

Is the 2004 Ford Mustang more efficient in the city or on the highway?

The Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD is rated 18 city and 27 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 9 MPG.

How does the 2004 Ford Mustang compare with other small car configurations?

The Mustang 3.8L 6-cyl RWD costs about $3,110 a year to fuel, $540 less than the class median of $3,650, and less than 6 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 356 rated small car configurations for MY2004, not weighted by sales.

Is the 2004 Ford Mustang different from the 2003 model?

The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110. EPA lists 8 configurations for 2004 against 7 configurations for 2003. See the 2003 Ford Mustang for that year.