Running costs

Station wagons: running costs

At current US fuel prices, a 2026 station wagon driven 15,000 km a year costs on average $1,850 in fuel (median $1,544), across 17 versions of 13 models. The cheapest to run is the 2026 Honda CR-V FWD at $1,047 a year; the most expensive is the 2026 BMW M5 Touring at $3,916. 47% of versions require premium fuel, adding about $432 a year compared with regular. At today's prices, the class average has fallen by $458 a year since 2000, reflecting changes in efficiency.

Average per year$1,8502026 models
Median$1,544
Models compared17one per model family
Premium-fuel penalty+$43247% 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 Honda CR-V FWDRegular5.9 l/100km$1,047
2026 Toyota Crown Signia AWDRegular6.2 l/100km$1,100
2026 Buick EnvistaRegular7.8 l/100km$1,384
2026 Chevrolet Trax FFVRegular7.8 l/100km$1,384
2026 Subaru ImprezaRegular8.1 l/100km$1,437
2026 Honda HR-V FWDRegular8.4 l/100km$1,491
2026 Acura Adx FWDPremium8.4 l/100km$1,817
2026 Volvo V60cc B5 AWDPremium9.1 l/100km$1,969
2026 Volvo V90cc B6 AWDPremium9.4 l/100km$2,034
2026 Audi A6 Allroad quattroPremium9.8 l/100km$2,120

Most expensive to run — 2026

VehicleFuelCombinedPer year
2026 BMW M5 TouringPremium18.1 l/100km$3,916
2026 Audi RS 6 AvantPremium14.7 l/100km$3,180
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 Hybrid 4matic Plus (Station Wagon)Premium10.7 l/100km$2,315
2026 Audi A6 Allroad quattroPremium9.8 l/100km$2,120
2026 Volvo V90cc B6 AWDPremium9.4 l/100km$2,034
2026 Volvo V60cc B5 AWDPremium9.1 l/100km$1,969
2026 Acura Adx AWDPremium8.7 l/100km$1,882
2026 Honda HR-V AWDRegular8.7 l/100km$1,544
2026 Chevrolet TraxRegular8.1 l/100km$1,437
2026 Subaru ImprezaRegular8.1 l/100km$1,437

Average annual cost by model year

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

2000$2,308
2003$2,197
2004$2,183
2005$2,142
2006$2,109
2007$1,992
2008$1,948
2009$1,883
2010$1,766
2011$1,782
2012$1,768
2013$1,723
2014$1,943
2015$1,795
2016$1,750
2017$1,645
2018$1,593
2019$1,691
2020$1,758
2021$1,816
2022$1,762
2023$1,921
2024$2,061
2025$1,916
2026$1,850

Other classes

Two-seaters$2,914Small cars$2,134Midsize cars$1,822Large cars$2,174SUVs$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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