Mercury Cougar MPG by Year & Engine (EPA)

EPA fuel-economy ratings for every rated Mercury Cougar model year from 1984 to 2002 — each engine and transmission with its official city, highway and combined figures. Over these years the Cougar has been offered with 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl engines; the most efficient version is the 2000 (up to 25 MPG combined). Data: U.S. Department of Energy & EPA, fueleconomy.gov; prices are live medians from VehiSales listings.

Mercury Cougar fuel economy by year

YearCombinedEnginesMedian used priceFor sale
2002 21–24 MPG 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl
2001 21–24 MPG 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl
2000 21–25 MPG 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl
1999 20–25 MPG 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl
1997 18–19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl
1996 18–19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl
1995 18–19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl
1994 18–19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl
1993 18–19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
1992 18–20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
1991 18–20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
1990 18–20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1989 17–20 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl
1988 18–21 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
1987 19 MPG 5.0L 8-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl
1986 18–20 MPG 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
1985 17–19 MPG 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
1984 16–19 MPG 3.8L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl

2002 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 2002 Cougar was EPA-rated in 3 versions (2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 21 to 24 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 21 31 24 MPG
Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 18 27 21 MPG
Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 18 26 21 MPG

2001 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 2001 Cougar was EPA-rated in 3 versions (2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 21 to 24 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 21 31 24 MPG
Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 18 26 21 MPG
Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 18 27 21 MPG

2000 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 2000 Cougar was EPA-rated in 3 versions (2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 21 to 25 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 21 31 25 MPG
Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 18 26 21 MPG
Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 18 26 21 MPG

1999 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1999 Cougar was EPA-rated in 4 versions (2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 20 to 25 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 21 31 25 MPG
Cougar 2.0L 4-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 20 28 23 MPG
Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 18 26 21 MPG
Cougar 2.5L 6-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 17 26 20 MPG

1997 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1997 Cougar was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 24 19 MPG
Cougar 4.6L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 23 18 MPG

1996 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1996 Cougar was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 24 19 MPG
Cougar 4.6L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 23 18 MPG

1995 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1995 Cougar was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 24 19 MPG
Cougar 4.6L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 23 18 MPG

1994 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1994 Cougar was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 24 19 MPG
Cougar 4.6L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 23 18 MPG

1993 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1993 Cougar was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 24 19 MPG
Cougar 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 22 18 MPG

1992 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1992 Cougar was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 18 25 20 MPG
Cougar 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 22 18 MPG

1991 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1991 Cougar was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 24 20 MPG
Cougar 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 22 18 MPG

1990 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1990 Cougar was EPA-rated in 3 versions (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 24 20 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Manual 5-spd Premium 15 22 18 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Premium 15 21 18 MPG

1989 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1989 Cougar was EPA-rated in 3 versions (3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 17 to 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 25 20 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Manual 5-spd Premium 15 22 18 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Premium 15 21 17 MPG

1988 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1988 Cougar was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 21 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 18 25 21 MPG
Cougar 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 23 18 MPG

1987 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1987 Cougar was EPA-rated in 2 versions (5.0L 8-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 24 19 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 24 19 MPG

1986 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1986 Cougar was EPA-rated in 5 versions (2.3L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 20 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 2.3L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 18 24 20 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 24 19 MPG
Cougar 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 24 19 MPG
Cougar 2.3L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular 16 20 18 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular 17 21 18 MPG

1985 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1985 Cougar was EPA-rated in 5 versions (2.3L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 17 to 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 2.3L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 17 24 19 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular 17 20 18 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular 16 20 18 MPG
Cougar 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 22 17 MPG
Cougar 2.3L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular 16 20 17 MPG

1984 Mercury Cougar: engines & MPG

The 1984 Cougar was EPA-rated in 9 versions (3.8L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 16 to 19 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 23 19 MPG
Cougar 2.3L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 17 24 19 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 17 22 19 MPG
Cougar 2.3L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 17 23 19 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular 16 20 18 MPG
Cougar 2.3L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular 16 20 18 MPG
Cougar 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 15 22 17 MPG
Cougar 3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular 16 20 17 MPG
Cougar 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 14 20 16 MPG

Frequently asked questions

What MPG does a Mercury Cougar get?

Depending on year and engine, EPA combined ratings for the Cougar range from 19 to 25 MPG. The most efficient rated version is the 2000 model year.

What engines does the 2002 Mercury Cougar have?

The 2002 Cougar was EPA-rated with 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl engines — see the 2002 table above for each version's exact city/highway figures.

Does the Mercury Cougar require premium gas?

Some versions do: EPA lists regular gasoline and premium gasoline 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 August 2026; refreshed monthly. Market prices and listing counts are live medians from VehiSales inventory, updated daily. How to cite: “VehiSales Research, Mercury Cougar EPA Fuel Economy by Model Year” with a link to https://vehisales.com/research/fuel-economy/mercury/cougar.

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