2016 rankings · Subcompact Cars
Most Fuel-Efficient 2016 Subcompact Cars, Ranked
We ranked all 39 EPA-rated 2016 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The BMW i3 leads at about $729 a year (124 MPGe), while the Toyota Mirai is the most expensive to run at $8,060 (67 MPGe). The median subcompact car costs $2,194 a year to fuel. The class includes 4 electric and 3 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)All 39 models
| # | Model | Type | Combined | Range | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW i3 | Electric | 124 MPGe | 81 mi | $729 |
| 2 | Chevrolet Spark EV | Electric | 119 MPGe | 82 mi | $764 |
| 3 | Mitsubishi i-MiEV | Electric | 112 MPGe | 62 mi | $810 |
| 4 | Fiat 500e | Electric | 112 MPGe | 84 mi | $810 |
| 5 | BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid | Plug-in hybrid | 117 MPGe + 39 MPG | 150 mi | $905 |
| 6 | Scion iA | Gas | 36 MPG | — | $1,292 |
| 7 | Cadillac ELR | Plug-in hybrid | 85 MPGe + 32 MPG | 340 mi | $1,311 |
| 8 | Ford Fiesta | Gas | 35 MPG | — | $1,329 |
| 9 | Chevrolet Spark | Gas | 34 MPG | — | $1,368 |
| 10 | Audi A3 | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $1,661 |
| 11 | Fiat 500 | Gas | 34 MPG | — | $1,743 |
| 12 | BMW i8 | Plug-in hybrid | 76 MPGe + 28 MPG | 330 mi | $1,759 |
| 13 | Audi TT Coupe | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $1,788 |
| 14 | MINI Cooper | Gas | 32 MPG | — | $1,852 |
| 15 | Ford Mustang | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $1,860 |
| 16 | Buick Cascada | Gas | 23 MPG | — | $2,022 |
| 17 | Chevrolet Camaro | Gas | 22 MPG | — | $2,114 |
| 18 | Scion FR-S | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $2,116 |
| 19 | Subaru BRZ | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $2,116 |
| 20 | MINI John Cooper Works | Gas | 27 MPG | — | $2,194 |
| 21 | BMW 2 Series | Gas | 27 MPG | — | $2,194 |
| 22 | Audi A5 | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $2,279 |
| 23 | Audi S3 | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $2,279 |
| 24 | Lexus RC | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $2,279 |
| 25 | Volkswagen Eos | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $2,370 |
| 26 | Audi TTS Coupe | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $2,370 |
| 27 | BMW 6 Series | Gas | 24 MPG | — | $2,469 |
| 28 | Porsche 911 | Gas | 23 MPG | — | $2,576 |
| 29 | Audi S5 | Gas | 21 MPG | — | $2,821 |
| 30 | Nissan GT-R | Gas | 19 MPG | — | $3,118 |
| 31 | Ferrari California T | Gas | 19 MPG | — | $3,118 |
| 32 | Lexus RC F | Gas | 19 MPG | — | $3,118 |
| 33 | Roush Performance Mustang | Gas | 17 MPG | — | $3,485 |
| 34 | Aston Martin Rapide | Gas | 17 MPG | — | $3,485 |
| 35 | Aston Martin Vanquish | Gas | 16 MPG | — | $3,703 |
| 36 | Maserati GranTurismo | Gas | 16 MPG | — | $3,703 |
| 37 | Bentley Continental GT Convertible | Gas | 16 MPG | — | $3,703 |
| 38 | Aston Martin DB9 | Gas | 15 MPG | — | $3,950 |
| 39 | Toyota Mirai | Fuel cell | 67 MPGe | 312 mi | $8,060 |