Running costs

Two-seaters: running costs

At current US fuel prices, a 2026 two-seater driven 15,000 km a year costs on average $2,914 in fuel (median $2,834), across 30 versions of 16 models. The cheapest to run is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 at $1,753 a year; the most expensive is the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Aero at $3,635. 97% of versions require premium fuel, adding about $530 a year compared with regular. At today's prices, the class average has risen by $541 a year since 2000, reflecting changes in efficiency.

Average per year$2,9142026 models
Median$2,834
Models compared30one per model family
Premium-fuel penalty+$53097% 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 Mazda MX-5Premium8.1 l/100km$1,753
2026 BMW Z4 Sdrive30iPremium8.4 l/100km$1,817
2026 Lotus EmiraRegular11.2 l/100km$1,987
2026 Nissan ZPremium10.7 l/100km$2,315
2026 Toyota GR SupraPremium11.2 l/100km$2,423
2026 Chevrolet CorvettePremium12.4 l/100km$2,683
2026 Aston Martin VantagePremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Ferrari 296 GtbPremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Maserati GT2 StradalePremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Maserati McpuraPremium13.1 l/100km$2,834

Most expensive to run — 2026

VehicleFuelCombinedPer year
2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon AeroPremium16.8 l/100km$3,635
2026 Ferrari 12CilindriPremium16.8 l/100km$3,635
2026 Porsche 911 GT3Premium15.7 l/100km$3,397
2026 Aston Martin ValhallaPremium14.7 l/100km$3,180
2026 Aston Martin VanquishPremium14.7 l/100km$3,180
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 55 4matic Plus (Coupe)Premium14.7 l/100km$3,180
2026 Ferrari F80Premium13.8 l/100km$2,986
2026 Aston Martin VantagePremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Ferrari 296 GtbPremium13.1 l/100km$2,834
2026 Maserati GT2 StradalePremium13.1 l/100km$2,834

Average annual cost by model year

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

2000$2,373
2001$3,208
2002$2,398
2003$2,307
2004$2,398
2005$2,753
2006$2,763
2007$2,892
2008$2,726
2009$2,445
2011$2,709
2012$2,579
2013$2,402
2014$2,752
2015$2,596
2016$2,730
2017$2,844
2018$2,861
2019$2,841
2020$2,912
2021$2,945
2022$3,027
2023$3,067
2024$2,969
2025$2,874
2026$2,914

Other classes

Small cars$2,134Midsize 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 →

Related pages