- Newest year: 2002
- Gas
- Small cars
- Same as 2001
2000-2002 Mercury Cougar MPG & Fuel Cost
3 model years · 21–25 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 7 of 10 small car configurations, MY2002. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2002 Mercury Cougar at a glance
The 2000-2002 Mercury Cougar covers 3 model years in the EPA database (9 configurations in all), rated 21–25 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2002, costs about $2,720 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD (24 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001; 2002 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 25 MPG, was reached in 2000.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2002 Mercury Cougar by model year
What the 2002 Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$227
$2,720 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.53
Per 100 miles
$18.13
Five years
$13,600
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$550less a year
Class median $3,270 a year, MY2002
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2002 Mercury Cougar MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2002 Mercury Cougar as for the 2001 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2001 section above.See 2001
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,110 |
2001 Mercury Cougar MPG
21–24 MPG · $2,720–$3,110/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 25 to 24 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,610 to $2,720, $110 more.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,110 |
2000 Mercury Cougar MPG
21–25 MPG · $2,610–$3,110/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,610 |
| Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD: $3,700 in California and $2,370 in Texas, a $1,330 difference.
- California $3,700
- Washington $3,430
- New York $2,720
- Florida $2,570
- Texas $2,370
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2002 small car models.
Generations
- 2000-2002 (8th gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2002 Mercury Cougar get?
EPA rates the 2000-2002 Mercury Cougar at 21–25 MPG combined across 9 configurations and 3 model years. The most efficient version, the 2000 Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 25 MPG (21 city, 31 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2002 Mercury Cougar?
The Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 25 MPG, in 2000. The lowest top rating, 24 MPG, was in 2001 and 2002.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2002 Mercury Cougar?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2001. In 2002 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Mercury Cougar per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year. Across all 3 configurations the cost runs $2,720–$3,110 a year. That is a $390 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2002 Mercury Cougar 100 miles?
About $18.13 per 100 miles for the Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $18.13 and $20.73 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2002 Mercury Cougar more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD is rated 21 city and 31 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 10 MPG.
How does the 2002 Mercury Cougar compare with other small car configurations?
The Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year to fuel, $550 less than the class median of $3,270, and less than 7 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 331 rated small car configurations for MY2002, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2002 Mercury Cougar different from the 2001 model?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2001 and 2002: 3 configurations rated 21–24 MPG combined. See the 2001 Mercury Cougar for that year.