1996 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1996 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 39 EPA-rated 1996 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Geo Metro leads at about $1,162 a year (40 MPG), while the Rolls-Royce Azure is the most expensive to run at $4,938 (12 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $2,022 a year to fuel.

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. 5Toyota Tercel32 MPG $1,453
  6. 6Mitsubishi Mirage31 MPG $1,500
  7. 7Mazda MX-329 MPG $1,603
  8. 8Saturn SC29 MPG $1,603
  9. 9Nissan Sentra/200SX29 MPG $1,603
  10. 10Suzuki Esteem29 MPG $1,603
  11. 11Toyota Paseo28 MPG $1,661
  12. 12Toyota Celica27 MPG $1,722
  13. 13Mazda MX-626 MPG $1,788
  14. 14Ford Probe25 MPG $1,860
  15. 15Acura Integra24 MPG $1,938

All 39 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Geo Metro Gas 40 MPG — $1,162
2Honda Civic Gas 36 MPG — $1,292
3Suzuki Swift Gas 35 MPG — $1,329
4Ford Aspire Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
5Toyota Tercel Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
6Mitsubishi Mirage Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
7Mazda MX-3 Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
8Saturn SC Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
9Nissan Sentra/200SX Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
10Suzuki Esteem Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
11Toyota Paseo Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
12Toyota Celica Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
13Mazda MX-6 Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
14Ford Probe Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
15Acura Integra Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
16Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
17Eagle Talon Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
18Honda Prelude Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
19Mitsubishi Eclipse Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
20Volkswagen Cabrio Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
21Ford Mustang Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
22Saab 900 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
23Chevrolet Camaro Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
24Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
25Dodge Stealth Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
26BMW 3 Series Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
27Nissan 240SX Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
28BMW M Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
29Audi Cabriolet Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
30Toyota Supra Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
31Lexus SC Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
32Mitsubishi 3000 GT Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
33Jaguar XJS Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
34Porsche 911 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
35Infiniti J30 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
36Subaru SVX Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
37Mitsubishi 3000 GT Spyder Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
38BMW 8 Series Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
39Rolls-Royce Azure Gas 12 MPG — $4,938

More 1996 rankings

1996 class rankings

This ranking in other years