- Newest year: 2005
- Gas
- Two-seaters
2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird MPG & Fuel Cost
4 model years · 17–18 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 3 of 10 two-seater configurations, MY2005. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird at a glance
The 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird covers 4 model years in the EPA database (7 configurations in all), rated 17–18 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2005, costs about $4,460 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD (18 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The best combined rating in the generation, 18 MPG, was reached in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird by model year
What the 2005 Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$372
$4,460 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$7.43
Per 100 miles
$29.73
Five years
$22,300
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the two-seater median
$100more a year
Class median $4,360 a year, MY2005
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 Ford Thunderbird MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 18 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,460.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 5-spd (Most efficient) | 3.9L 8-cyl | RWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,460 |
| Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD Automatic (S5) | 3.9L 8-cyl | RWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2004 Ford Thunderbird MPG
18 MPG · $4,460/yr
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 18 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,460.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 5-spd (Most efficient) | 3.9L 8-cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 18 | $4,460 |
| Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD Automatic (S5) | 3.9L 8-cyl | RWD | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2003 Ford Thunderbird MPG
18 MPG · $4,460/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 moves from 17 to 18 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,730 to $4,460, $270 less.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 5-spd (Most efficient) | 3.9L 8-cyl | RWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,460 |
| Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 5-spd | 3.9L 8-cyl | RWD | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,460 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2002 Ford Thunderbird MPG
17 MPG · $4,730/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird (Most efficient) | 3.9L 8-cyl | RWD | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,730 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD: $5,320 in California and $3,870 in Texas, a $1,450 difference.
- California $5,320
- Washington $5,010
- New York $4,410
- Florida $4,080
- Texas $3,870
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2005 two-seater models.
Generations
- 2002-2005 (11th gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird get?
EPA rates the 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird at 17–18 MPG combined across 7 configurations and 4 model years. The most efficient version, the 2005 Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD, is rated 18 MPG (16 city, 22 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird?
The Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 18 MPG, in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The lowest top rating, 17 MPG, was in 2002.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Ford Thunderbird per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD costs about $4,460 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $4,460 a year.
How much does it cost to drive a 2005 Ford Thunderbird 100 miles?
About $29.73 per 100 miles for the Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2005 Ford Thunderbird more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD is rated 16 city and 22 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2005 Ford Thunderbird compare with other two-seater configurations?
The Thunderbird 3.9L 8-cyl RWD costs about $4,460 a year to fuel, $100 more than the class median of $4,360, and less than 3 of 10 two-seater configurations. The comparison covers all 69 rated two-seater configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2005 Ford Thunderbird different from the 2004 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 18 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,460. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2005 against 2 configurations for 2004. See the 2004 Ford Thunderbird for that year.