Running costs

Small cars: running costs

At current US fuel prices, a 2026 small car driven 15,000 km a year costs on average $2,134 in fuel (median $2,120), across 103 versions of 39 models. The cheapest to run is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid at $834 a year; the most expensive is the 2026 Ferrari Purosangue at $4,241. 86% of versions require premium fuel, adding about $409 a year compared with regular. At today's prices, the class average has risen by $69 a year since 2000, reflecting changes in efficiency.

Average per year$2,1342026 models
Median$2,120
Models compared103one per model family
Premium-fuel penalty+$40986% 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 Toyota Corolla HybridRegular4.7 l/100km$834
2026 Honda PreludeRegular5.3 l/100km$940
2026 Lexus UX 300hRegular5.5 l/100km$976
2026 Volkswagen JettaRegular6.9 l/100km$1,224
2026 Volkswagen GliRegular8.1 l/100km$1,437
2026 MINI Cooper C 2 DoorPremium7.3 l/100km$1,579
2026 Ford MustangRegular9.1 l/100km$1,615
2026 BMW 228 Gran CoupePremium7.6 l/100km$1,644
2026 BMW 330i SedanPremium7.6 l/100km$1,644
2026 BMW 430i CoupePremium7.6 l/100km$1,644

Most expensive to run — 2026

VehicleFuelCombinedPer year
2026 Ferrari PurosanguePremium19.6 l/100km$4,241
2026 Ford Mustang GtdPremium19.6 l/100km$4,241
2026 Aston Martin DB12 SPremium13.8 l/100km$2,986
2026 BMW M3 Competition M xDrive SedanPremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 BMW M4 Competition M xDrive ConvertiblePremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Cadillac CT4 VPremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Lexus LC 500Premium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Porsche 911 Turbo SPremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Bentley Continental GTPremium12.4 l/100km$2,683
2026 Bentley Continental GtcPremium12.4 l/100km$2,683

Average annual cost by model year

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

2000$2,065
2001$2,133
2002$1,988
2003$2,070
2004$2,118
2005$2,130
2006$2,174
2007$2,155
2008$2,238
2009$2,161
2010$2,122
2011$2,161
2012$2,126
2013$2,014
2014$2,081
2015$2,114
2016$2,061
2017$2,090
2018$2,046
2019$2,072
2020$2,104
2021$2,088
2022$2,100
2023$2,167
2024$2,151
2025$2,165
2026$2,134

Other classes

Two-seaters$2,914Midsize cars$1,822Large 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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