2002 rankings · Subcompact Cars
Most Fuel-Efficient 2002 Subcompact Cars, Ranked
We ranked all 29 EPA-rated 2002 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Volkswagen Beetle Diesel leads at about $1,461 a year (38 MPG), while the Ferrari 456 MGT/MGA is the most expensive to run at $5,386 (11 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $2,214 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)All 29 models
| # | Model | Type | Combined | Range | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkswagen Beetle Diesel | Diesel | 38 MPG | — | $1,461 |
| 2 | Mitsubishi Mirage | Gas | 30 MPG | — | $1,550 |
| 3 | Saturn SC | Gas | 29 MPG | — | $1,603 |
| 4 | Toyota Celica | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $1,661 |
| 5 | Suzuki Esteem | Gas | 27 MPG | — | $1,722 |
| 6 | Ford Escort | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $1,788 |
| 7 | Acura RSX | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $1,788 |
| 8 | Volkswagen Cabrio | Gas | 24 MPG | — | $1,938 |
| 9 | Volkswagen Beetle | Gas | 24 MPG | — | $1,938 |
| 10 | Mitsubishi Eclipse | Gas | 23 MPG | — | $2,022 |
| 11 | Hyundai Tiburon | Gas | 23 MPG | — | $2,022 |
| 12 | Chevrolet Camaro | Gas | 21 MPG | — | $2,214 |
| 13 | Ford Mustang | Gas | 21 MPG | — | $2,214 |
| 14 | Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula | Gas | 21 MPG | — | $2,214 |
| 15 | Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport | Gas | 21 MPG | — | $2,214 |
| 16 | MINI Cooper | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $2,370 |
| 17 | Saab 9-3 | Gas | 24 MPG | — | $2,469 |
| 18 | Audi TT Coupe | Gas | 23 MPG | — | $2,576 |
| 19 | BMW 3 Series | Gas | 22 MPG | — | $2,693 |
| 20 | Volvo C70 | Gas | 21 MPG | — | $2,821 |
| 21 | Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class | Gas | 20 MPG | — | $2,962 |
| 22 | Porsche 911 | Gas | 19 MPG | — | $3,118 |
| 23 | Lexus SC | Gas | 18 MPG | — | $3,292 |
| 24 | Jaguar XK8 | Gas | 18 MPG | — | $3,292 |
| 25 | Roush Performance Mustang | Gas | 18 MPG | — | $3,292 |
| 26 | BMW M | Gas | 17 MPG | — | $3,485 |
| 27 | Jaguar XKR | Gas | 17 MPG | — | $3,485 |
| 28 | Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa/coupe GT | Gas | 12 MPG | — | $4,938 |
| 29 | Ferrari 456 MGT/MGA | Gas | 11 MPG | — | $5,386 |