1996 rankings

Cheapest 1996 Vehicles to Fuel

Every 1996 model ranked by estimated annual fuel cost: gas, hybrid, plug-in and electric.

Fuel costs assume 15,000 miles a year at $3.10/gal regular, $3.95/gal premium and 18¢/kWh. Each model is shown in its most efficient configuration.

Top 15

Annual fuel cost (lower is better)
  1. 1Geo Metro40 MPG $1,162
  2. 2Honda Civic36 MPG $1,292
  3. 3Suzuki Swift35 MPG $1,329
  4. 4Ford Aspire33 MPG $1,409
  5. 5Honda Del Sol32 MPG $1,453
  6. 6Toyota Tercel32 MPG $1,453
  7. 7Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel38 MPG $1,461
  8. 8Volkswagen Jetta Diesel38 MPG $1,461
  9. 9Eagle Summit31 MPG $1,500
  10. 10Mitsubishi Mirage31 MPG $1,500
  11. 11Ford Escort30 MPG $1,550
  12. 12Mercury Tracer30 MPG $1,550
  13. 13Mazda Protege30 MPG $1,550
  14. 14Volkswagen Passat Diesel35 MPG $1,586
  15. 15Toyota Corolla29 MPG $1,603

Full list

#Model ClassType Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Geo Metro Subcompact CarGas 40 MPG — $1,162
2Honda Civic Subcompact CarGas 36 MPG — $1,292
3Suzuki Swift Subcompact CarGas 35 MPG — $1,329
4Ford Aspire Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
5Honda Del Sol Two-SeaterGas 32 MPG — $1,453
6Toyota Tercel Subcompact CarGas 32 MPG — $1,453
7Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Compact CarDiesel 38 MPG — $1,461
8Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Compact CarDiesel 38 MPG — $1,461
9Eagle Summit WagonGas 31 MPG — $1,500
10Mitsubishi Mirage Subcompact CarGas 31 MPG — $1,500
11Ford Escort Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
12Mercury Tracer Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
13Mazda Protege Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
14Volkswagen Passat Diesel Midsize CarDiesel 35 MPG — $1,586
15Toyota Corolla Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
16Mazda MX-3 Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
17Saturn SC Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
18Geo Prizm Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
19Saturn SL Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
20Nissan Sentra/200SX Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
21Suzuki Esteem Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
22Saturn SW WagonGas 28 MPG — $1,661
23Toyota Paseo Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
24Dodge Neon Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
25Hyundai Accent Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
26Plymouth Neon Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
27Toyota Celica Subcompact CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
28Kia Sephia Compact CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
29Mazda 626 Midsize CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788
30Chevrolet Cavalier Compact CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788

More 1996 rankings

1996 class rankings

This ranking in other years