1996 rankings

Most Fuel-Efficient 1996 Cars

1996 sedans, hatchbacks, coupes and wagons (not plug-in) with the best combined MPG.

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

Combined MPG
  1. 1Geo Metro40 MPG 40 MPG
  2. 2Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel38 MPG 38 MPG
  3. 3Volkswagen Jetta Diesel38 MPG 38 MPG
  4. 4Honda Civic36 MPG 36 MPG
  5. 5Volkswagen Passat Diesel35 MPG 35 MPG
  6. 6Suzuki Swift35 MPG 35 MPG
  7. 7Ford Aspire33 MPG 33 MPG
  8. 8Honda Del Sol32 MPG 32 MPG
  9. 9Toyota Tercel32 MPG 32 MPG
  10. 10Eagle Summit31 MPG 31 MPG
  11. 11Mitsubishi Mirage31 MPG 31 MPG
  12. 12Ford Escort30 MPG 30 MPG
  13. 13Mercury Tracer30 MPG 30 MPG
  14. 14Mazda Protege30 MPG 30 MPG
  15. 15Toyota Corolla29 MPG 29 MPG

Full list

#Model ClassType Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Geo Metro Subcompact CarGas 40 MPG — $1,162
2Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Compact CarDiesel 38 MPG — $1,461
3Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Compact CarDiesel 38 MPG — $1,461
4Honda Civic Subcompact CarGas 36 MPG — $1,292
5Volkswagen Passat Diesel Midsize CarDiesel 35 MPG — $1,586
6Suzuki Swift Subcompact CarGas 35 MPG — $1,329
7Ford Aspire Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
8Honda Del Sol Two-SeaterGas 32 MPG — $1,453
9Toyota Tercel Subcompact CarGas 32 MPG — $1,453
10Eagle Summit WagonGas 31 MPG — $1,500
11Mitsubishi Mirage Subcompact CarGas 31 MPG — $1,500
12Ford Escort Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
13Mercury Tracer Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
14Mazda Protege Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
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
27Mercedes-Benz E-Class Diesel Compact CarDiesel 27 MPG — $2,056
28Toyota Celica Subcompact CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
29Kia Sephia Compact CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
30Mazda 626 Midsize CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788

More 1996 rankings

1996 class rankings

This ranking in other years