2012 rankings · Midsize Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2012 Midsize Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 50 EPA-rated 2012 midsize cars by what they cost to fuel. The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid leads at about $888 a year (95 MPGe + 50 MPG), while the Ferrari FF is the most expensive to run at $4,558 (13 MPG). The median midsize car costs $1,980 a year to fuel. The class includes 1 electric and 13 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. 1Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid95 MPGe + 50 MPG $888
  2. 2Nissan Leaf99 MPGe $918
  3. 3Toyota Prius48 MPG $969
  4. 4Toyota Camry Hybrid40 MPG $1,162
  5. 5Ford Fusion Hybrid38 MPG $1,224
  6. 6Lincoln MKZ Hybrid38 MPG $1,224
  7. 7Hyundai Sonata Hybrid36 MPG $1,292
  8. 8Kia Optima Hybrid36 MPG $1,292
  9. 9Hyundai Elantra32 MPG $1,453
  10. 10Chevrolet Cruze32 MPG $1,453
  11. 11Chevrolet Sonic32 MPG $1,453
  12. 12Nissan Sentra29 MPG $1,603
  13. 13Volkswagen Passat Diesel34 MPG $1,632
  14. 14Buick Regal Hybrid28 MPG $1,661
  15. 15Toyota Camry28 MPG $1,661

All 50 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in hybrid 95 MPGe + 50 MPG 540 mi $888
2Nissan Leaf Electric 99 MPGe 73 mi $918
3Toyota Prius Hybrid 48 MPG — $969
4Toyota Camry Hybrid Hybrid 40 MPG — $1,162
5Ford Fusion Hybrid Hybrid 38 MPG — $1,224
6Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Hybrid 38 MPG — $1,224
7Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Hybrid 36 MPG — $1,292
8Kia Optima Hybrid Hybrid 36 MPG — $1,292
9Hyundai Elantra Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
10Chevrolet Cruze Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
11Chevrolet Sonic Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
12Nissan Sentra Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
13Volkswagen Passat Diesel Diesel 34 MPG — $1,632
14Buick Regal Hybrid Hybrid 28 MPG — $1,661
15Toyota Camry Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
16Buick LaCrosse Hybrid Hybrid 28 MPG — $1,661
17Kia Optima Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
18Volkswagen Passat Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
19Chevrolet Malibu Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
20Ford Fusion Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
21Mazda 6 Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
22Buick Regal Flex-fuel 24 MPG — $1,938
23Mitsubishi Galant Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
24Dodge Avenger Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
25Saab 9-5 Flex-fuel 24 MPG — $1,938
26Volvo S80 Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
27Infiniti M35 Hybrid Hybrid 29 MPG — $2,043
28Lexus ES Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
29Audi A6 Gas 28 MPG — $2,116
30BMW 5 Series Gas 27 MPG — $2,194
31Cadillac CTS Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
32Lincoln MKZ Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
33Dodge Challenger Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
34Buick LaCrosse Flex-fuel 21 MPG — $2,214
35BMW 5 Series Hybrid Hybrid 26 MPG — $2,279
36Acura TL Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
37Infiniti G25 Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
38Nissan Maxima Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
39Audi A7 Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
40Mazda Speed 3 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
41Infiniti M37 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
42BMW 7 Series Hybrid Hybrid 20 MPG — $2,962
43Lexus LS Hybrid Hybrid 20 MPG — $2,962
44Acura RL Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
45Lexus LS Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
46Jaguar XF Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
47Infiniti M56 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
48Bentley Continental Flying Spur Flex-fuel 14 MPG — $4,232
49Bentley Mulsanne Gas 13 MPG — $4,558
50Ferrari FF Gas 13 MPG — $4,558

More 2012 rankings

2012 class rankings

This ranking in other years