1998 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1998 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 42 EPA-rated 1998 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Chevrolet Metro leads at about $1,162 a year (40 MPG), while the Ferrari Ferrari 456 is the most expensive to run at $5,386 (11 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. 1Chevrolet Metro40 MPG $1,162
  2. 2Suzuki Swift35 MPG $1,329
  3. 3Honda Civic34 MPG $1,368
  4. 4Volkswagen Beetle Diesel38 MPG $1,461
  5. 5Mitsubishi Mirage31 MPG $1,500
  6. 6Toyota Tercel30 MPG $1,550
  7. 7Nissan Sentra/200SX29 MPG $1,603
  8. 8Suzuki Esteem29 MPG $1,603
  9. 9Toyota Paseo28 MPG $1,661
  10. 10Saturn SC28 MPG $1,661
  11. 11Chevrolet Cavalier25 MPG $1,860
  12. 12Pontiac Sunfire25 MPG $1,860
  13. 13BMW 3 Series24 MPG $1,938
  14. 14Acura Integra24 MPG $1,938
  15. 15Eagle Talon24 MPG $1,938

All 42 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Chevrolet Metro Gas 40 MPG — $1,162
2Suzuki Swift Gas 35 MPG — $1,329
3Honda Civic Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
4Volkswagen Beetle Diesel Diesel 38 MPG — $1,461
5Mitsubishi Mirage Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
6Toyota Tercel Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
7Nissan Sentra/200SX Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
8Suzuki Esteem Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
9Toyota Paseo Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
10Saturn SC Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
11Chevrolet Cavalier Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
12Pontiac Sunfire Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
13BMW 3 Series Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
14Acura Integra Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
15Eagle Talon Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
16Volkswagen Cabrio Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
17Acura CL Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
18Mitsubishi Eclipse Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
19Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
20Toyota Celica Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
21Hyundai Tiburon Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
22Volkswagen Beetle Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
23Saab 900 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
24Chevrolet Camaro Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
25Ford Mustang Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
26Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
27BMW M Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
28Quantum Technologies Chevrolet Cavalier Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
29Mitsubishi 3000 GT Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
30Mitsubishi 3000 GT Spyder Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
31Honda Prelude Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
32Nissan 240SX Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
33Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
34Volvo C70 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
35Audi Cabriolet Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
36Toyota Supra Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
37Lexus SC Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
38Porsche 911 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
39Jaguar XK8 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
40Bentley Azure Gas 12 MPG — $4,938
41Bentley Continental Gas 12 MPG — $4,938
42Ferrari Ferrari 456 Gas 11 MPG — $5,386

More 1998 rankings

1998 class rankings

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