Running costs

Midsize cars: running costs

At current US fuel prices, a 2025 midsize car driven 15,000 km a year costs on average $1,822 in fuel (median $1,882), across 65 versions of 35 models. The cheapest to run is the 2025 Toyota Prius at $728 a year; the most expensive is the 2025 BMW M5 Sedan at $3,635. 60% of versions require premium fuel, adding about $410 a year compared with regular. At today's prices, the class average has fallen by $717 a year since 2000, reflecting changes in efficiency.

Average per year$1,8222025 models
Median$1,882
Models compared65one per model family
Premium-fuel penalty+$41060% 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 — 2025

VehicleFuelCombinedPer year
2025 Toyota PriusRegular4.1 l/100km$728
2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid BlueRegular4.4 l/100km$781
2025 Toyota Camry Hev FF LeRegular4.6 l/100km$816
2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport/TouringRegular5.3 l/100km$940
2025 Lexus ES 300hRegular5.3 l/100km$940
2025 Nissan SentraRegular6.9 l/100km$1,224
2025 Nissan Kicks PlayRegular7.1 l/100km$1,260
2025 Chevrolet MalibuRegular7.6 l/100km$1,349
2025 Nissan AltimaRegular7.6 l/100km$1,349
2025 Toyota Crown AWDRegular7.8 l/100km$1,384

Most expensive to run — 2025

VehicleFuelCombinedPer year
2025 BMW M5 SedanPremium16.8 l/100km$3,635
2025 Cadillac CT5 VPremium15.7 l/100km$3,397
2025 Audi RS 7Premium13.8 l/100km$2,986
2025 BMW M8 Competition Gran CoupePremium13.8 l/100km$2,986
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63 E PerformancePremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2025 Bentley Flying SpurPremium12.4 l/100km$2,683
2025 BMW Alpina B8 Gran CoupePremium12.4 l/100km$2,683
2025 BMW M850i xDrive Gran CoupePremium12.4 l/100km$2,683
2025 Lexus LS 500 AWDPremium11.2 l/100km$2,423
2025 Subaru WrxPremium11.2 l/100km$2,423

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$2,461
2002$2,300
2003$2,325
2004$2,285
2005$2,203
2006$2,257
2007$2,247
2008$2,255
2009$2,086
2010$2,026
2011$2,135
2012$2,116
2013$1,987
2014$1,990
2015$2,007
2016$1,909
2017$1,925
2018$1,889
2019$1,798
2020$1,904
2021$1,910
2022$1,917
2023$1,997
2024$1,885
2025$1,822
2026$1,714

Other classes

Two-seaters$2,914Small cars$2,134Large cars$2,174Station 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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