2003 rankings
Cheapest 2003 Vehicles to Fuel
Every 2003 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)Full list
| # | Model | Class | Type | Combined | Range | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda Insight | Two-Seater | Hybrid | 53 MPG | — | $877 |
| 2 | Honda Civic Hybrid | Compact Car | Hybrid | 41 MPG | — | $1,134 |
| 3 | Toyota Prius | Compact Car | Hybrid | 41 MPG | — | $1,134 |
| 4 | Toyota RAV4 EV | SUV | Electric | 78 MPGe | 95 mi | $1,161 |
| 5 | Honda Civic | Compact Car | Gas | 34 MPG | — | $1,368 |
| 6 | Toyota Echo | Compact Car | Gas | 33 MPG | — | $1,409 |
| 7 | Volkswagen Jetta Diesel | Compact Car | Diesel | 39 MPG | — | $1,423 |
| 8 | Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel | Compact Car | Diesel | 38 MPG | — | $1,461 |
| 9 | Volkswagen Beetle Diesel | Subcompact Car | Diesel | 38 MPG | — | $1,461 |
| 10 | Toyota Corolla | Compact Car | Gas | 31 MPG | — | $1,500 |
| 11 | Honda Civic CNG | Compact Car | Natural gas | 28 MPGe | — | $1,554 |
| 12 | Nissan Sentra | Compact Car | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $1,661 |
| 13 | Toyota Celica | Subcompact Car | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $1,661 |
| 14 | Hyundai Accent/Brio | Compact Car | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $1,661 |
| 15 | Dodge Neon/SRT-4/SX 2.0 | Compact Car | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $1,661 |
| 16 | Pontiac Vibe | Wagon | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $1,661 |
| 17 | Toyota Matrix | Wagon | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $1,661 |
| 18 | Ford Focus | Compact Car | Gas | 27 MPG | — | $1,722 |
| 19 | Honda Accord | Midsize Car | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $1,788 |
| 20 | Kia Rio | Compact Car | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $1,788 |
| 21 | Acura RSX | Subcompact Car | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $1,788 |
| 22 | Mitsubishi Lancer | Compact Car | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $1,788 |
| 23 | Chevrolet Cavalier | Compact Car | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $1,860 |
| 24 | Ford Escort | Subcompact Car | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $1,860 |
| 25 | Toyota MR2 | Two-Seater | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $1,860 |
| 26 | Hyundai Elantra | Compact Car | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $1,860 |
| 27 | Pontiac Grand Am | Compact Car | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $1,860 |
| 28 | Pontiac Sunfire | Compact Car | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $1,860 |
| 29 | Oldsmobile Alero | Compact Car | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $1,860 |
| 30 | Suzuki Aerio | Compact Car | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $1,860 |