1997 rankings

Cheapest 1997 Vehicles to Fuel

Every 1997 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. 2Suzuki Swift35 MPG $1,329
  3. 3Honda Civic34 MPG $1,368
  4. 4Ford Aspire33 MPG $1,409
  5. 5Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel37 MPG $1,500
  6. 6Volkswagen Jetta Diesel37 MPG $1,500
  7. 7Honda Del Sol31 MPG $1,500
  8. 8Mitsubishi Mirage31 MPG $1,500
  9. 9Toyota Tercel31 MPG $1,500
  10. 10Volkswagen Passat Diesel36 MPG $1,542
  11. 11Toyota Corolla29 MPG $1,603
  12. 12Toyota Paseo29 MPG $1,603
  13. 13Mazda Protege29 MPG $1,603
  14. 14Nissan Sentra/200SX29 MPG $1,603
  15. 15Dodge Neon29 MPG $1,603

Full list

#Model ClassType Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Geo Metro Subcompact CarGas 40 MPG — $1,162
2Suzuki Swift Subcompact CarGas 35 MPG — $1,329
3Honda Civic Subcompact CarGas 34 MPG — $1,368
4Ford Aspire Subcompact CarGas 33 MPG — $1,409
5Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Compact CarDiesel 37 MPG — $1,500
6Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Compact CarDiesel 37 MPG — $1,500
7Honda Del Sol Two-SeaterGas 31 MPG — $1,500
8Mitsubishi Mirage Compact CarGas 31 MPG — $1,500
9Toyota Tercel Subcompact CarGas 31 MPG — $1,500
10Volkswagen Passat Diesel Midsize CarDiesel 36 MPG — $1,542
11Toyota Corolla Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
12Toyota Paseo Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
13Mazda Protege Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
14Nissan Sentra/200SX Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
15Dodge Neon Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
16Plymouth Neon Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
17Suzuki Esteem Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
18Ford Escort Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
19Mercury Tracer Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
20Saturn SW WagonGas 28 MPG — $1,661
21Saturn SC Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
22Toyota Celica Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
23Geo Prizm Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
24Saturn SL Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
25Hyundai Accent Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
26Kia Sephia Compact CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
27Dodge Stratus Midsize CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
28Plymouth Breeze Midsize CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
29Mazda 626 Midsize CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788
30Chevrolet Cavalier Compact CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788

More 1997 rankings

1997 class rankings

This ranking in other years