Running costs

Large cars: running costs

At current US fuel prices, a 2026 large car driven 15,000 km a year costs on average $2,174 in fuel (median $2,120), across 28 versions of 17 models. The cheapest to run is the 2026 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue at $816 a year; the most expensive is the 2026 Rolls-Royce Ghost at $3,635. 68% of versions require premium fuel, adding about $467 a year compared with regular. At today's prices, the class average has risen by $979 a year since 2000, reflecting changes in efficiency.

Average per year$2,1742026 models
Median$2,120
Models compared28one per model family
Premium-fuel penalty+$46768% of models

15,000 km a year at US national average prices from the EIA, 2026-09-27.Use your own figures →

Cheapest to run — 2026

VehicleFuelCombinedPer year
2026 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid BlueRegular4.6 l/100km$816
2026 Honda Accord HybridRegular4.9 l/100km$870
2026 Kia K4 HatchbackRegular8.4 l/100km$1,491
2026 Kia K5Regular8.7 l/100km$1,544
2026 Acura Integra A-SpecPremium7.8 l/100km$1,688
2026 BMW 740i SedanPremium8.4 l/100km$1,817
2026 BMW 750e xDrive SedanPremium9.8 l/100km$2,120
2026 Honda Civic 5DrPremium9.8 l/100km$2,120
2026 Audi A8 quattroPremium10.7 l/100km$2,315
2026 Genesis G90 AWDPremium11.2 l/100km$2,423

Most expensive to run — 2026

VehicleFuelCombinedPer year
2026 Rolls-Royce GhostPremium16.8 l/100km$3,635
2026 Rolls-Royce PhantomPremium16.8 l/100km$3,635
2026 Audi S8Premium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Genesis G80 AWDPremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack AWDPremium12.4 l/100km$2,683
2026 BMW 760i xDrive SedanPremium11.8 l/100km$2,553
2026 Genesis G90 MhevPremium11.8 l/100km$2,553
2026 Porsche PanameraPremium11.2 l/100km$2,423
2026 Audi A8 quattroPremium10.7 l/100km$2,315
2026 Acura IntegraPremium9.8 l/100km$2,120

Average annual cost by model year

Every year costed at today's prices, so the change reflects efficiency, not fuel price movements.

2000$2,431
2001$2,452
2002$2,190
2003$2,249
2004$2,531
2005$2,283
2006$2,365
2007$2,356
2008$2,333
2009$2,245
2010$2,241
2011$2,626
2012$2,620
2013$2,315
2014$2,473
2015$2,424
2016$2,345
2017$2,281
2018$2,224
2019$2,313
2020$2,330
2021$2,351
2022$2,344
2023$2,435
2024$2,376
2025$2,214
2026$2,174
2027$3,410

Other classes

Two-seaters$2,914Small cars$2,134Midsize cars$1,822Station wagons$1,850SUVs$2,053Pickup trucks$2,218Minivans$1,588

How these costs are calculated

Combined consumption from FuelEconomy.gov multiplied by US national average retail prices from the Energy Information Administration for each car's required fuel grade. Costs exclude insurance, maintenance and depreciation. Your own cost depends on local prices and how you drive. Classes follow EPA's size classification, which is based on interior volume rather than price — so small cars include some high-performance coupes and convertibles.

Work out your own costs

Fuel economy and trip costFuel economy unit converter · Trip fuel and cost · Annual savings from better economyFuel savings and break-evenBreak-even distance for a more economical vehicle · Fuel price at which two vehicles cost the same · Running cost per 100 kmEV charging time and costCharging time · Charging cost · Electric versus petrol or diesel running costTotal cost of ownershipTotal cost of ownership · Yearly depreciation rate · Projected future value

All calculators →

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