Running costs

SUVs: running costs

At current US fuel prices, a 2026 SUV driven 15,000 km a year costs on average $2,053 in fuel (median $1,987), across 275 versions of 109 models. The cheapest to run is the 2026 Kia Niro FE at $781 a year; the most expensive is the 2026 Cadillac Escalade V AWD at $3,916. 45% of versions require premium fuel, adding about $452 a year compared with regular. At today's prices, the class average has fallen by $577 a year since 2000, reflecting changes in efficiency.

Average per year$2,0532026 models
Median$1,987
Models compared275one per model family
Premium-fuel penalty+$45245% 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 Kia Niro FERegular4.4 l/100km$781
2026 Toyota RAV4Regular5.5 l/100km$976
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid FWDRegular5.6 l/100km$994
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWDRegular5.6 l/100km$994
2026 Ford Escape FWD PHEVRegular5.9 l/100km$1,047
2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid BlueRegular6.2 l/100km$1,100
2026 Honda CR-V AWDRegular6.4 l/100km$1,136
2026 Jeep Cherokee AWDRegular6.4 l/100km$1,136
2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid FWDRegular6.4 l/100km$1,136
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid FWDRegular6.5 l/100km$1,153

Most expensive to run — 2026

VehicleFuelCombinedPer year
2026 Cadillac Escalade V AWDPremium18.1 l/100km$3,916
2026 BMW Xm LabelPremium16.8 l/100km$3,635
2026 Rolls-Royce CullinanPremium16.8 l/100km$3,635
2026 BMW X5 M CompetitionPremium15.7 l/100km$3,397
2026 BMW X6 M CompetitionPremium15.7 l/100km$3,397
2026 Dodge Durango AWDPremium15.7 l/100km$3,397
2026 Audi RS Q8 PerformancePremium14.7 l/100km$3,180
2026 Audi SQ7Premium14.7 l/100km$3,180
2026 Audi SQ8Premium14.7 l/100km$3,180
2026 Bentley BentaygaPremium14.7 l/100km$3,180

Average annual cost by model year

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

2000$2,718
2001$2,657
2002$2,659
2003$2,648
2004$2,634
2005$2,620
2006$2,614
2007$2,530
2008$2,468
2009$2,316
2010$2,282
2011$2,309
2012$2,333
2013$2,289
2014$2,273
2015$2,212
2016$2,172
2017$2,187
2018$2,160
2019$2,115
2020$2,179
2021$2,156
2022$2,138
2023$2,127
2024$2,096
2025$2,068
2026$2,053
2027$2,141

Diesel vs petrol

Among 2026 suvs, the 8 diesel models average $2,691 a year against$2,034 for petrol models, at current prices.

Other classes

Two-seaters$2,914Small cars$2,134Midsize cars$1,822Large cars$2,174Station wagons$1,850Pickup 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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