At Fuel Express, we know fleets of all industries rely on their vehicles to keep business running smoothly and keep customers happy. As cars have changed throughout the years, fleets have shifted their reliance on different brands, models, and styles for their operations. Our fleet fuel card company recently discovered an article by Automotive Fleet that dives into the most popular vehicles from the 1960s until now. We thought it was wonderfully interesting, so we decided to share it:
Buick Skylark
“The Buick Skylark of the 1960s and early 1970s was the first non-Chevrolet, Ford, or Plymouth volume vehicle to significantly impact the fleet industry. It opened up the fleet business for other brands to participate. The Skylark also met with enough success that it started the trend away from full-size cars to intermediates. Vehicle selectors went from one to three choices to as many as seven or eight possibilities.
Engine: 225 CID V-6 @ 155 hp
MPG (city/highway): N/A
1964 Dodge A-100 Panel Van
The A-100 line was a family of compact vans and trucks produced by Chrysler and sold under the Dodge brand through 1970. The van’s cab-forward design was unusual in passenger vehicles, and its totally flat cargo floor was capable of handling many types of payloads.
Engine: Six-cylinder @ 110 hp
MPG (city/highway): N/A
1966-67 Oldsmobile Cutlass
The Cutlass name appeared in 1966, the first year of GM’s new intermediate four-door hardtop sedan. For 1967, the Cutlass Supreme line was expanded into a full series that also included a two-door hard-top coupe, two-door pillared coupe, four-door pillared sedan, and a convertible. The Cutlass was a larger vehicle than its predecessors with more capability from a fleet perspective, according to GM.
Engine: 250 CID Inline 6 @ 155 hp
MPG (city/highway): N/A
1969 Plymouth Fury
Produced from 1956-1978 over six generations, the Fury was introduced as a premium-priced, full-size model. In 1965, Plymouth created three special Fury models: Fury I was marketed to police and taxi fleets, and Fury II and Fury III were consumer marketed. In 1975, the Fury was changed to a mid-size sedan.
Engine: 318 cu. in. V-8 @ 230 hp
MPG (city/highway): 11/21
1975 Chrysler Cordoba
Rethinking its position after the first fuel crisis of 1973-’74 that crippled big-car sales, Chrysler created the Cordoba. This vehicle was Chrysler’s first entry into what was considered the “personal luxury car” group. The vehicle was a hit and remained in production
until 1983.
Engine: 5.2L V-8
MPG (city/highway): 22 (combined)
1975 Pontiac Grand Prix
Produced from 1968-2008, the Grand Prix was marketed as a luxury vehicle from 1962-1987 and a mid-size vehicle through its remaining years. In 1976, a new split vertical bar “waterfall” grille and quad rectangular headlights were adopted. The vehicle was downsized in 1978 and received a radical update to a front-wheel-drive W-body in 1988.
Engine: 400 cu. in. V-8 @ 185 hp
MPG (city/highway): 11/15
1979 Mercury Marquis
Produced by Ford’s Mercury brand from 1967 to 1986, the Mercury Marquis was a full-size car (adjusted to a mid-size car in 1983). Introduced as Mercury’s top of the line, two-door formal hardtop, a full lineup was offered in 1969, including the “hidden headlights” that were a trademark of Lincoln-Mercury vehicles in the 1970s.
Engine: 5.0L V-8 @ 129 hp
MPG (city): 14
1980 Ford Crown Victoria
The Crown Victoria is an icon in two key business areas — police and taxi. These industries demand 24/7 capability, high quality, reliability, durability, and customer satisfaction. During its lifetime, the Crown Victoria was a dominant police vehicle in its segment until its production ceased in 2010.
Engine: 5.0L V-8
MPG (city/highway): 17 (combined)
1983 Ford E-Series Vans
The Ford E-Series, formerly known as the Econoline or Club Wagon, is a line of full-size vans (both cargo and passenger) and truck chassis. The line was introduced in 1961 as a compact van and variations are still
in production today (in its fourth generation). According to the manufacturer, it has been America’s best-selling full-size van since the 1980s.
Engine: 300 CID I-6; 302 CID Windsor V-8; 351 CID Windsor V-8; 460 CID 385 V-8; 6.9L & 7.3L Navistar Diesel V-8
MPG (city/highway): N/A
1985 Chevrolet Impala
The full-size Impala was introduced for the 1958 model-year. Distinguishable for many years due its symmetrical triple taillights, the Impala continued as one of Chevrolet’s most popular full-size cars through the mid-1980s. The car was reintroduced for the 1994 model-year as the Impala SS, produced through 1996. Resurrected again for the 2000 model-year, the vehicle is currently in its tenth generation.
Engine: 3.8L V-6; 4.1L L6; and 5.7L V-8
MPG (city/highway): 12/17
1986 Chevrolet Celebrity
The best-selling car in America in 1986, the Chevrolet Celebrity was introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model-year as a mid-size car. Based on the front-wheel-drive A-Body platform, the vehicle only received three “facelifts” and offered a wagon model. Production on the sedan ceased in 1988, with the wagon discontinued in 1990.
Engine: 2.5L I-4; 2.8L V-6; 3.1L V-6; and 4.3L diesel V-6
MPG (city/highway): 18/26
1986 Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus has been considered a dominant car in the fleet industry since its introduction, according to Ford. Providing a mix of package, performance, and styling, Taurus became an icon in the fleet industry.” However, as of April 2018, Ford announced it will be discontinuing the long-running car in North America.
Engine: 2.5L, four-cylinder @ 90 hp
MPG (city/highway): 18/24
1987 Chevrolet Cavalier
“A compact car based on General Motors’ J Platform, the Cavalier was produced from 1982-2005 and repeatedly was named one of the best-selling cars in the U.S. The vehicle was first offered as a two- or four-door, hatchback, or station wagon. Produced for three generations, the car only received one complete redesign in 1995.
Engine: 1.8L I-4; 2.0L I-4; and 2.8L V-6
MPG (city/highway): 17/25
1989 Ford Escort
Manufactured from 1981 to 2003, the Ford Escort was a compact car and the automaker’s first front-wheel-drive car built in North America. A restyle in 1997 dropped the hatchback version and added a sporty new coupe model, the Escort ZX2. The Escort wagon was discontinued in 1999 with the sedan discontinued in 2002.
Engine: 1.6L I-4; 1.9L I-4; and 2.0L diesel I-4
MPG (city/highway): 28/32
1991 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is credited with launching the growth of the sport/utility vehicle (SUV) segment, according to Ford. With its body-on-frame construction, payload capabilities, and ability to carry people and cargo, it provided a vehicle designed to meet a variety of fleet customer requirements.
Engine: 4.0L, V-6 @ 155 hp
MPG (city/highway): 16/21
1992 Mazda 626
The first Mazda 626 appeared in most markets in 1979 as a rear-wheel drive compact. The coupe and sedan were mechanically identical with front MacPherson struts and a solid axle in back mounted on four links riding on coil springs. Either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission with recirculating ball steering was available.
Engine: 2.0L I-4 @ 118 hp; 2.5L V-6 @ 164 hp
MPG (city/highway): 18/26
1993 Nissan Altima
A mid-size sedan, all early Altima models used Nissan’s 2.4L, I-4 DOHC engine rated at 150 hp, mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Trim lines consisted of the stripped XE, mid-line GXE, sporty SE, and luxury GLE. The Altima is now in its sixth generation.
Engine: 2.4L I-4 DOHC @ 150 hp
MPG (city/highway): 21/29
1994 Dodge Ram
The Dodge Ram was redesigned for 1994 with front fenders separated from an oversize grille. Its design set the benchmark for light- and medium-duty vehicles. The Dodge Ram established new pickup standards for power, torque, and durability, according to the automaker. In 2010, the automaker created the “Ram” brand.
Engine: 3.9L, six-cylinder @ 175 hp
MPG (city/highway): 15/19
1994 Toyota Camry
Production of the mid-size Toyota Camry began in 1980 and continues through present day. In 1991, the manufacturer replaced the compact model with a widened version in the U.S. A gasoline-electric hybrid model was introduced in 2006.
Engine: 1.8L I-4; 2.0L I-4; and 2.2L I-4 turbodiesel
MPG (city/highway): 18/26
1994 Chevrolet Express & GMC Savana
The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans were the first GM entries into the full-size, full-frame van market. The cargo variety of the Express/Savana is popular as a work vehicle, often used by electricians, plumbers, and vocational fleets that must haul a variety of large items. The Express/Savana is often used as an ambulance or shuttle bus.
Engine: 5.7L
MPG (city/highway): 15/19
1997 Toyota Prius
A fully hybrid-electric car, the Prius first went on sale in Japan, making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The vehicle launched in the U.S. in 2000 as a 2001 model-year vehicle and is currently in its fourth generation.
Engine: 1.5L DOHC I-4, 288v motor
MPG (city/highway): 50 (combined)
2004 Ford F-Series
A series of full-size pickups, the Ford F-Series was originally manufactured in 1948 and is currently in its 12th generation. In 1953, the trucks changed from their previous designations of F-1, F-2, and F-3 to the F-100, F-250, and F-350 models. The F-150 designation was introduced in 1975.
Engine: 4.2L Essex V-6; 4.6L Triton V-8; and 5.4L Triton V-8
MPG (city/highway): 14/18
2006 Chrysler 300
What was once considered a shortcoming of rear-wheel drive — poor traction in wet and snowy conditions — has been addressed by modern technology: Electronic Stability Program (ESP). The 2006 Chrysler 300 included ESP standard on all fleet vehicles to deliver safer, all-weather transportation in large, comfortable vehicles.
Engine: 2.7L V-6 @ 190 hp
MPG (city/highway): 21/28
2006 Ford Fusion
Produced by Ford as a mid-size car since the 2006 model-year, the Fusion was the first vehicle to receive the updated three-bar grille. In 2010, the vehicle was significantly refreshed and a gasoline-electric hybrid model was added to the lineup.
Engine: 2.4L I-4; 3.0L V-6; 3.5L V-6
MPG (city/highway): 23/33 (gasoline) ; 41/36 (hybrid)
2007 Chevrolet HHR Panel
The 2007 HHR Panel was designed for a myriad of commercial uses and adds a new dimension of functionality. Building a panel van version of the retro wagon was the idea of GM commercial customers, who were introduced to the original HHR at a GM Fleet and Commercial product show.
Engine: Ecotec 2.2L
MPG (city/highway): 21/27
2008 Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty
Targeted at small-business tradesmen, fleet customers, and traditional chassis cab users, the Dodge Ram 5500 Chassis Cabs expanded on a lineup of full-size vans, minivans, and body-on-frame commercial vehicles. Showcasing an upfit-friendly design, all chassis components are below the frame surface, assuring easy adaptability and versatility for most upfit applications.
Engine: 6.7L Cummins Turbodiesel
MPG (city/highway): N/A
2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
First introduced by Freightliner in 2001, the Sprinter quickly became one of the most versatile vans on the market. In 2010, Mercedes-Benz took over the Sprinter franchise, which now offers five models all powered by a 3.0L V-6 BlueTEC diesel engine.
Engine: 3.0L V-6 diesel
MPG (city/highway): 23/28
2011 Chevrolet Volt
Introduced for the 2011 model-year, the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in electric vehicle can operate between 25 and 50 miles on electric power, and up to 310 miles of extended range with an onboard 1.4L engine. According to the manufacturer, the Volt was the world’s first mass-produced plug-in electric vehicle with a range-extending engine.
Engine: 1.4L
MPG (city/highway): 95/90″
2016 Ford Escape
Once small SUVs and crossovers became popular, fleets started replacing their mid-size sedans and trucks with things like the Ford Escape. Sold since 2000, the original model was jointly developed with Mazda, making the Mazda Tribute a nearly identical version of the Escape. Today, the Escape is in its third generation.
Engine: 2.5L
MPG (city/highway): 23/32