2012 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2012 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 46 EPA-rated 2012 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Ford Focus EV leads at about $864 a year (105 MPGe), while the Rolls-Royce Phantom is the most expensive to run at $4,232 (14 MPG). The median compact car costs $1,691 a year to fuel. The class includes 1 electric and 6 hybrid or plug-in models.

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. 1Ford Focus EV105 MPGe $864
  2. 2Toyota Prius c50 MPG $930
  3. 3Honda Civic Hybrid44 MPG $1,057
  4. 4Lexus CT42 MPG $1,107
  5. 5Honda Insight41 MPG $1,134
  6. 6Chevrolet Volt94 MPGe + 37 MPG $1,199
  7. 7Lexus HS34 MPG $1,368
  8. 8Honda Civic CNG31 MPGe $1,403
  9. 9Toyota Yaris33 MPG $1,409
  10. 10Nissan Versa33 MPG $1,409
  11. 11Honda Civic32 MPG $1,453
  12. 12Hyundai Accent32 MPG $1,453
  13. 13Ford Focus32 MPG $1,453
  14. 14Kia Rio32 MPG $1,453
  15. 15Mazda 332 MPG $1,453

All 46 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Ford Focus EV Electric 105 MPGe 76 mi $864
2Toyota Prius c Hybrid 50 MPG — $930
3Honda Civic Hybrid Hybrid 44 MPG — $1,057
4Lexus CT Hybrid 42 MPG — $1,107
5Honda Insight Hybrid 41 MPG — $1,134
6Chevrolet Volt Plug-in hybrid 94 MPGe + 37 MPG 380 mi $1,199
7Lexus HS Hybrid 34 MPG — $1,368
8Honda Civic CNG Natural gas 31 MPGe — $1,403
9Toyota Yaris Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
10Nissan Versa Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
11Honda Civic Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
12Hyundai Accent Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
13Ford Focus Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
14Kia Rio Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
15Mazda 3 Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
16Mazda 2 Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
17Hyundai Veloster Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
18Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
19Kia Forte Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
20Toyota Corolla Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
21Volkswagen Jetta Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
22Mitsubishi Lancer Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
23Suzuki SX4 Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
24Honda Accord Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
25Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Diesel 32 MPG — $1,734
26Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Diesel 32 MPG — $1,734
27Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
28Suzuki Kizashi Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
29Scion tC Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
30Saab 9-3 Flex-fuel 24 MPG — $1,938
31Volvo C30 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
32Chrysler 200 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
33Buick Verano Flex-fuel 24 MPG — $1,938
34MINI Countryman Gas 30 MPG — $1,975
35Volvo S60 Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
36Chevrolet Camaro Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
37BMW 6 Series Gas 26 MPG — $2,279
38Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
39Audi A4 Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
40Acura TSX Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
41Volkswagen CC Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
42Audi S4 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
43Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
44Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
45Bentley Continental Flex-fuel 14 MPG — $4,232
46Rolls-Royce Phantom Gas 14 MPG — $4,232

More 2012 rankings

2012 class rankings

This ranking in other years