About the data
MPG Versus is built from the U.S. Department of Energy / EPA fuel economy dataset published on fueleconomy.gov. It is the same source as the window sticker on new cars sold in the U.S., covering 50,409 EPA-rated vehicle configurations from 1984 to 2027, grouped into 1,978 model lines from 141 brands.
Ratings for older vehicles use the EPA's revised (2008-method) figures, so MPG from different decades can be compared directly.
How we calculate fuel cost
Annual fuel cost = miles driven per year × fuel used per mile × the price you enter.
- Gas, hybrid, flex-fuel and diesel: miles ÷ combined MPG × price per gallon of the fuel the manufacturer specifies. Midgrade is priced halfway between regular and premium; flex-fuel vehicles are costed on gasoline.
- Electric: miles × kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100 × electricity price. The EPA's kWh figure includes charging losses.
- Plug-in hybrid: the EPA "utility factor" splits miles between electricity and gas.
- Natural gas and hydrogen: priced per gasoline-gallon equivalent and per kilogram.
Every model year is costed at today's prices, so a 1995 sedan and a 2025 SUV are compared like for like. Defaults: $3.10/gal regular, $3.95/gal premium, $3.70/gal diesel and 18¢/kWh, over 15,000 miles a year. Change them in any calculator and your settings are remembered on every page.
How we group models
The EPA lists each engine, transmission, drivetrain and wheel option separately. We group them into model lines using the EPA's base-model name, split by powertrain: for example the Toyota Camry and the Toyota Camry Hybrid have their own pages. Each model-year page lists every configuration. Rankings and comparisons use a model's most efficient configuration unless you pick another one.
Things to keep in mind
- EPA ratings are estimates. Real-world results depend on how, where and in what weather you drive.
- Interior volumes come from the EPA's volume index and aren't reported for every body style. Driving range is published only for electric, plug-in and fuel-cell vehicles.
- Vehicle classes changed over time: before 2011 the EPA did not split SUVs into small and standard sizes.
MPG Versus is an independent site and is not affiliated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or Department of Energy.