2004 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2004 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 40 EPA-rated 2004 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Volkswagen Beetle Diesel leads at about $1,542 a year (36 MPG), while the Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa/coupe GT is the most expensive to run at $4,938 (12 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $3,118 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. 1Volkswagen Beetle Diesel36 MPG $1,542
  2. 2Scion xA30 MPG $1,550
  3. 3Toyota Celica28 MPG $1,661
  4. 4Acura RSX26 MPG $1,788
  5. 5Volkswagen Beetle24 MPG $1,938
  6. 6Mitsubishi Eclipse23 MPG $2,022
  7. 7Hyundai Tiburon23 MPG $2,022
  8. 8Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport22 MPG $2,114
  9. 9MINI Cooper28 MPG $2,116
  10. 10Ford Mustang21 MPG $2,214
  11. 11BMW 3 Series22 MPG $2,693
  12. 12Audi TT Coupe22 MPG $2,693
  13. 13Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class20 MPG $2,962
  14. 14Volvo C7020 MPG $2,962
  15. 15Jaguar XK819 MPG $3,118

All 40 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Volkswagen Beetle Diesel Diesel 36 MPG — $1,542
2Scion xA Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
3Toyota Celica Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
4Acura RSX Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
5Volkswagen Beetle Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
6Mitsubishi Eclipse Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
7Hyundai Tiburon Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
8Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
9MINI Cooper Gas 28 MPG — $2,116
10Ford Mustang Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
11BMW 3 Series Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
12Audi TT Coupe Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
13Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
14Volvo C70 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
15Jaguar XK8 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
16BMW 6 Series Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
17Porsche Carrera 2 Cabriolet Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
18Porsche Carrera 2 Cabriolet Kit Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
19Porsche Carrera 2 Coupe Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
20Porsche Carrera 2 Coupe Kit Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
21Porsche Targa Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
22Volkswagen R32 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
23Lexus SC Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
24Audi S4 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
25Roush Performance Mustang Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
26Porsche Carrera 4 Cabriolet Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
27Porsche Carrera 4 Cabriolet Kit Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
28Porsche Carrera 4 S Kit Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
29Porsche Carrera 4 S Cabriolet Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
30Porsche Carrera 4 S Cabriolet Kit Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
31Porsche Carrera 4 S Coupe Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
32Mazda RX-8 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
33BMW M Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
34Jaguar XKR Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
35Porsche Turbo 4 911 Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
36Porsche Turbo 4 911 Cab Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
37Porsche Turbo 4 911 Cab Kit Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
38Porsche Turbo 4 911 Kit Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
39Aston Martin Vanquish Gas 13 MPG — $4,558
40Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa/coupe GT Gas 12 MPG — $4,938

More 2004 rankings

2004 class rankings

This ranking in other years