Best and Worst Fuel-Efficient New Cars
Consumer Reports took a look at the best and worst fuel-efficient cars to compare the difference in cost. In some cases, switching vehicles can save you almost $3,000 per year in fuel costs.
Of course, some people need large pickup trucks or SUVs for work, or to tow trailers, so switching to a smaller fuel-efficient vehicle is not a realistic option.
The calculations below are based on national fuel prices and assumes 12,000 miles driven annually. If you live in California, or drive more than 12,000 miles per year, the fuel costs are considerably higher.
| Best | Overall mpg | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf (electric) | 106* | $420 |
| Chevrolet Volt (plug-in hybrid) | 61** | $783 |
| Toyota Prius (hybrid) | 44 | $1,055 |
| Toyota Prius V (hybrid) | 41 | $1,133 |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | 40 | $1,161 |
| Lexus CT 200h (hybrid) | 40 | $1,161 |
| Smart ForTwo (premium) | 39 | $1,124 |
| Honda Insight EX (hybrid) | 38 | $1,222 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE | 38 | $1,222 |
| Volkswagen Golf TDI (diesel) | 38 | $1,307 |
| Worst | Overall mpg | Annual cost |
| Cadillac Escalade | 13 | $3,572 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 (diesel) | 13 | $3,822 |
| Ford Expedition EL | 13 | $3,572 |
| Lincoln Navigator | 13 | $3,572 |
| Chevrolet Avalanche | 14 | $3,317 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT (5.3L) | 14 | $3,317 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LTZ (diesel) | 14 | $3,549 |
| Chevrolet Suburban LT3 | 14 | $3,317 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ | 14 | $3,317 |
| Dodge Dakota (V8) | 14 | $3,317 |
| Dodge Durango V8 Crew | 14 | $3,317 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 SLT | 14 | $3,317 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited | 14 | $3,317 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE | 14 | $3,317 |
| Nissan Titan SV | 14 | $3,317 |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 14 | $3,317 |
Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About The Author
Gregg Fidan is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate
the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.
Latest Weekly Car Buying Tips
March 2025
- All SUV Lease Deals Compared March 2025 Mar 20, 2025
- Cars With the Largest Rebates Mar 20, 2025
- Which Cars Better to Lease or Buy Mar 20, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize Cars Mar 20, 2025
- Best Bang for Your Buck Lease Deals Mar 13, 2025
- Best Electric, Hybrid Lease Deals Mar 13, 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest New Cars Right Now Mar 13, 2025
- Real Prices of Compact Cars Mar 13, 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest Lease Deals Mar 06, 2025
- Best 0% Finance Deals March 2025 Mar 06, 2025
- Biggest Discounts on New Cars March 2025 Mar 06, 2025
- Real Prices of New Compact SUVs Mar 06, 2025
- List of New Cars Most Affected by Tariffs Mar 06, 2025
February 2025
- New Cars with the Most Available Inventory Feb 27, 2025
- Best Car Deals Around the Country Feb 27, 2025
- Real Prices of Large SUVs Feb 27, 2025
- Cheapest Luxury Lease Deals Feb 27, 2025
- Real Prices of Pickup Trucks Feb 20, 2025
- Largest Hidden Dealer Rebates Feb 20, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize SUVs Feb 13, 2025
- Price Comparison of Subcompact SUVs Feb 06, 2025
