- Gas
- Small cars
- MY2000–2002
Mercury Cougar MPG & Fuel Cost by Year
3 model years · 2000–2002
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Mercury Cougar fuel economy at a glance
EPA has rated the Mercury Cougar for 3 model years, 2000 to 2002. Across those years its combined rating runs 21–25 MPG. The latest model year, 2002, has 3 configurations rated 21–24 MPG combined and costing $2,720–$3,110 a year to fuel at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). The most efficient configuration on record since 2000 is the 2000 Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD, at 25 MPG. EPA ratings go back to 1984: the earliest rating on this page is 19 MPG in 1984.
Mercury Cougar MPG by year
| Year | Gas (MPG) | $/yr |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-2002 (8th gen) Generation page | ||
| 2002 | 21–24 | $2,720–$3,110 |
| 2001 | 21–24 | $2,720–$3,110 |
| 2000 | 21–25 | $2,610–$3,110 |
Costs use the current EIA price set and 15,000 miles a year for every year, so years are comparable. Green marks the best year for each powertrain.
Mercury Cougar generations
1 generations between 2000 and 2002. Open one for the table of every model year and configuration.
2002 powertrain options
Mercury Cougar MPG history, 1984–1999
| Year | Gas (MPG) |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 20–25 |
| 1997 | 18–19 |
| 1996 | 18–19 |
| 1995 | 18–19 |
| 1994 | 18–19 |
| 1993 | 18–19 |
| 1992 | 18–20 |
| 1991 | 18–20 |
Show 7 more years
| Year | Gas (MPG) |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 18–20 |
| 1989 | 17–20 |
| 1988 | 18–21 |
| 1987 | 19 |
| 1986 | 18–20 |
| 1985 | 17–19 |
| 1984 | 16–19 |
EPA re-estimated the ratings of pre-2008 vehicles under its 2008 method; these are the re-estimated values.
More Mercury models
Frequently asked questions
What is the Mercury Cougar's gas mileage by year?
EPA combined ratings for the Mercury Cougar run 21–25 MPG across model years 2000 to 2002. The latest year, 2002, is rated 21–24 MPG.
Which Mercury Cougar model year has the best gas mileage?
The 2000 Mercury Cougar Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD has the highest combined rating since 2000, at 25 MPG.
How much does a Mercury Cougar cost to fuel per year?
For MY2002, EPA-rated configurations cost $2,720–$3,110 a year to fuel, driving 15,000 miles at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). The most efficient one costs $2,720.
Has the Mercury Cougar's fuel economy improved over time?
No. The most efficient configuration moved from 25 MPG in 2000 to 24 MPG in 2002, 1 MPG less. Going back further, the best rating in 1984 was 19 MPG.
Which Mercury Cougar model years have the same ratings?
EPA lists identical ratings as the previous year for 2002. The generation pages mark those years "same EPA ratings" and point to the year that holds the full table.