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1962-1980 MG MGB — MPG & Fuel Facts NO OFFICIAL EPA RATING

The EPA's public fuel-economy dataset only goes back to 1984 — the 1962-1980 MG MGB predates it, so there is no government-rated MPG number for this car anywhere, including here.

Estimated 16–29 MPG combined.

The EPA's own 1978 Gas Mileage Guide rates the 1.8L MGB at 16 city/29 highway (20 combined), Hagerty's valuation-tool spec sheet cites a factory range of 22-28 mpg, and owner-reported real-world data (Fuelly, MG enthusiast forums) centers on roughly 25 mpg in mixed driving - all in reasonably close agreement.

This is our estimate, not an EPA rating — built from the period road tests, marque-specialist guides and corroborated owner reports cited below, hedged where sources vary. Treat it as a ballpark for planning, not a spec to rely on.

The MGB used a 1.8L pushrod four throughout nearly its entire run (1962-1980), with twin SU carburetors on most model years and a single Zenith-Stromberg carb on later emissions-era cars; a V8-engined MGB GT V8 variant existed in the UK market with somewhat different economy, but was never sold new in the U.S.

EPA/FEA's 1978 Gas Mileage Guide - the only edition of the two we reviewed directly where the MGB itself appears (the 1975 edition we checked only listed the smaller MG Midget) - lists it (110 cu in / 1.8L four, 1-barrel carburetor, manual only) at 16 city / 29 highway, 20 combined.

Hagerty's valuation-tool spec sheet for early MGBs states a factory economy range of '22-28 mpg' alongside a 103 mph top speed. Enthusiast forums (MG Experience, British Car Forum) and Fuelly's owner-logged data both describe a wide real-world spread of roughly 16-35 mpg depending on carburetor tune, use of overdrive, and driving style, with 25 mpg being the most commonly cited average.

Sources: EPA, 1978 Gas Mileage Guide (2nd ed., Feb 1978), via Internet Archive · Hagerty Valuation Tools, 1963 MG MGB Mk I · Fuelly, "MG MGB MPG" (owner-reported)

All classicsSearch MG MGB on FuelFacts (in case a later model year is in our 1984+ EPA data)