2012 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2012 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 36 EPA-rated 2012 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV leads at about $810 a year (112 MPGe), while the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is the most expensive to run at $4,232 (14 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $2,522 a year to fuel. The class includes 2 electric and 1 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. 1Mitsubishi i-MiEV112 MPGe $810
  2. 2CODA Automotive Coda73 MPGe $1,242
  3. 3Scion iQ37 MPG $1,257
  4. 4Ford Fiesta32 MPG $1,453
  5. 5Scion xD29 MPG $1,603
  6. 6Nissan Altima26 MPG $1,788
  7. 7Fiat 50032 MPG $1,852
  8. 8Volkswagen Beetle25 MPG $1,860
  9. 9MINI Clubman30 MPG $1,975
  10. 10Ford Mustang23 MPG $2,022
  11. 11Mitsubishi Eclipse23 MPG $2,022
  12. 12Fisker Karma54 MPGe + 20 MPG $2,165
  13. 13BMW 3 Series27 MPG $2,194
  14. 14Volvo C7021 MPG $2,214
  15. 15Audi TT Coupe26 MPG $2,279

All 36 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Mitsubishi i-MiEV Electric 112 MPGe 62 mi $810
2CODA Automotive Coda Electric 73 MPGe 88 mi $1,242
3Scion iQ Gas 37 MPG — $1,257
4Ford Fiesta Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
5Scion xD Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
6Nissan Altima Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
7Fiat 500 Gas 32 MPG — $1,852
8Volkswagen Beetle Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
9MINI Clubman Gas 30 MPG — $1,975
10Ford Mustang Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
11Mitsubishi Eclipse Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
12Fisker Karma Plug-in hybrid 54 MPGe + 20 MPG 240 mi $2,165
13BMW 3 Series Gas 27 MPG — $2,194
14Volvo C70 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
15Audi TT Coupe Gas 26 MPG — $2,279
16Volkswagen Eos Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
17Audi A5 Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
18Lexus IS Gas 24 MPG — $2,469
19Mercedes-Benz E-Class Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
20BMW 1 Series Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
21Lotus Evora Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
22Porsche New 911 Carrera Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
23Porsche 911 Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
24Infiniti G37 Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
25Audi S5 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
26Jaguar XK Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
27Nissan GT-R Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
28Roush Performance Mustang Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
29Lexus IS F Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
30BMW M Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
31Maserati GranTurismo Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
32Aston Martin DB9 Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
33Aston Martin Rapide Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
34Aston Martin Virage Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
35Aston Martin DBS Gas 14 MPG — $4,232
36Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible Flex-fuel 14 MPG — $4,232

More 2012 rankings

2012 class rankings

This ranking in other years