Buick Riviera MPG by Year & Engine (EPA)

EPA fuel-economy ratings for every rated Buick Riviera model year from 1984 to 1999 — each engine and transmission with its official city, highway and combined figures. Over these years the Riviera has been offered with 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl, 4.1L 6-cyl engines; the most efficient version is the 1996 (up to 21 MPG combined). Data: U.S. Department of Energy & EPA, fueleconomy.gov; prices are live medians from VehiSales listings.

Buick Riviera fuel economy by year

YearCombinedEnginesMedian used priceFor sale
1999 19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1998 19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1997 19–20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1996 19–21 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1995 20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1993 20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1992 19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1991 19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1990 19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1989 20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1988 20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1987 19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1986 20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1985 17–21 MPG 5.7L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl
1984 15–21 MPG 5.7L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.1L 6-cyl

1999 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1999 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Premium 16 25 19 MPG

1998 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1998 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 25 19 MPG

1997 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1997 Riviera was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 19 to 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 26 20 MPG
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Premium 16 24 19 MPG

1996 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1996 Riviera was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 19 to 21 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 27 21 MPG
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Premium 16 25 19 MPG

1995 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1995 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 26 20 MPG

1993 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1993 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 25 20 MPG

1992 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1992 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 24 19 MPG

1991 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1991 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 24 19 MPG

1990 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1990 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 25 19 MPG

1989 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1989 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 26 20 MPG

1988 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1988 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 26 20 MPG

1987 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1987 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 25 19 MPG

1986 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1986 Riviera was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 27 20 MPG

1985 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1985 Riviera was EPA-rated in 7 versions (5.7L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 17 to 21 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 5.7L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Diesel 18 26 21 MPG
Riviera Convertible 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 21 17 MPG
Riviera Convertible 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Premium 14 22 17 MPG
Riviera 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 20 17 MPG
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Premium 15 22 17 MPG
Riviera Convertible 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 20 17 MPG
Riviera 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 21 17 MPG

1984 Buick Riviera: engines & MPG

The 1984 Riviera was EPA-rated in 9 versions (5.7L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.1L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 15 to 21 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Riviera 5.7L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Diesel 18 26 21 MPG
Riviera Convertible 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 14 20 16 MPG
Riviera 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 14 20 16 MPG
Riviera Convertible 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 13 20 15 MPG
Riviera 4.1L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 13 20 15 MPG
Riviera 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 13 20 15 MPG
Riviera Convertible 4.1L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 13 19 15 MPG
Riviera 4.1L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 13 19 15 MPG
Riviera Convertible 4.1L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 13 20 15 MPG

Frequently asked questions

What MPG does a Buick Riviera get?

Depending on year and engine, EPA combined ratings for the Riviera range from 19 to 21 MPG. The most efficient rated version is the 1996 model year.

What engines does the 1999 Buick Riviera have?

The 1999 Riviera was EPA-rated with 3.8L 6-cyl engines — see the 1999 table above for each version's exact city/highway figures.

Does the Buick Riviera require premium gas?

Some versions do: EPA lists premium gasoline and regular gasoline and diesel depending on year and engine — check your year's table above.

About this data: EPA ratings from the official U.S. DOE/EPA dataset (fueleconomy.gov), as of July 2026; refreshed monthly. Market prices and listing counts are live medians from VehiSales inventory, updated daily. How to cite: “VehiSales Research, Buick Riviera EPA Fuel Economy by Model Year” with a link to https://vehisales.com/research/fuel-economy/buick/riviera.

See also: Buick Riviera hub — live listings, prices & reliability · Most fuel-efficient cars by segment · Model price trends. Media inquiries: [email protected].

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