2006 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2006 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 32 EPA-rated 2006 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Honda Civic Hybrid leads at about $1,107 a year (42 MPG), while the Bentley Continental is the most expensive to run at $4,558 (13 MPG). The median compact car costs $2,022 a year to fuel. The class includes 0 electric and 1 hybrid or plug-in model.

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. 1Honda Civic Hybrid42 MPG $1,107
  2. 2Toyota Corolla31 MPG $1,500
  3. 3Hyundai Accent29 MPG $1,603
  4. 4Kia Rio29 MPG $1,603
  5. 5Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel34 MPG $1,632
  6. 6Volkswagen Jetta Diesel33 MPG $1,682
  7. 7Nissan Sentra27 MPG $1,722
  8. 8Mazda 327 MPG $1,722
  9. 9Ford Focus26 MPG $1,788
  10. 10Mitsubishi Lancer26 MPG $1,788
  11. 11Saturn Ion26 MPG $1,788
  12. 12Toyota Camry25 MPG $1,860
  13. 13Volkswagen Golf/GTI24 MPG $1,938
  14. 14Suzuki Aerio24 MPG $1,938
  15. 15Pontiac G624 MPG $1,938

All 32 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Honda Civic Hybrid Hybrid 42 MPG — $1,107
2Toyota Corolla Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
3Hyundai Accent Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
4Kia Rio Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
5Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Diesel 34 MPG — $1,632
6Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Diesel 33 MPG — $1,682
7Nissan Sentra Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
8Mazda 3 Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
9Ford Focus Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
10Mitsubishi Lancer Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
11Saturn Ion Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
12Toyota Camry Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
13Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
14Suzuki Aerio Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
15Pontiac G6 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
16Chevrolet Optra Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
17Suzuki Forenza Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
18Suzuki Reno Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
19Volkswagen Jetta Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
20Chrysler Sebring Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
21Volkswagen Rabbit Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
22Infiniti G35 Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
23Audi A4 Gas 24 MPG — $2,469
24Volvo S40 Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
25Acura TSX Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
26Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
27Volvo S60 Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
28Jaguar X-Type Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
29Pontiac GTO Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
30Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
31Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
32Bentley Continental Gas 13 MPG — $4,558

More 2006 rankings

2006 class rankings

This ranking in other years