2026 rankings · Subcompact Cars
Most Fuel-Efficient 2026 Subcompact Cars, Ranked
We ranked all 26 EPA-rated 2026 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Fiat 500e leads at about $788 a year (116 MPGe), while the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is the most expensive to run at $3,703 (16 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $2,419 a year to fuel. The class includes 2 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)All 26 models
| # | Model | Type | Combined | Range | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiat 500e | Electric | 116 MPGe | 149 mi | $788 |
| 2 | Honda Prelude Hybrid | Hybrid | 44 MPG | — | $1,057 |
| 3 | Maserati Grancabrio EV | Electric | 83 MPGe | 231 mi | $1,099 |
| 4 | Ford Mustang | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $1,788 |
| 5 | MINI Cooper | Gas | 32 MPG | — | $1,852 |
| 6 | BMW 4 Series Hybrid | Hybrid | 31 MPG | — | $1,911 |
| 7 | BMW 2 Series | Gas | 31 MPG | — | $1,911 |
| 8 | MINI John Cooper Works | Gas | 30 MPG | — | $1,975 |
| 9 | Audi A3 | Gas | 28 MPG | — | $2,116 |
| 10 | Bentley Continental Plug-in Hybrid | Plug-in hybrid | 46 MPGe + 19 MPG | 440 mi | $2,190 |
| 11 | Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | Hybrid | 27 MPG | — | $2,194 |
| 12 | Audi S3 | Gas | 26 MPG | — | $2,279 |
| 13 | Subaru BRZ | Gas | 25 MPG | — | $2,370 |
| 14 | BMW 8 Series | Gas | 24 MPG | — | $2,469 |
| 15 | Audi RS | Gas | 23 MPG | — | $2,576 |
| 16 | Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Hybrid | Hybrid | 22 MPG | — | $2,693 |
| 17 | Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Hybrid | Hybrid | 22 MPG | — | $2,693 |
| 18 | Porsche 911 | Gas | 21 MPG | — | $2,821 |
| 19 | Maserati GranTurismo | Gas | 21 MPG | — | $2,821 |
| 20 | Maserati Grancabrio | Gas | 20 MPG | — | $2,962 |
| 21 | BMW M | Gas | 19 MPG | — | $3,118 |
| 22 | Ferrari Roma | Gas | 19 MPG | — | $3,118 |
| 23 | Lexus LC | Gas | 18 MPG | — | $3,292 |
| 24 | Aston Martin DB12 V8 | Gas | 17 MPG | — | $3,485 |
| 25 | Aston Martin DB12 S | Gas | 17 MPG | — | $3,485 |
| 26 | Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | Gas | 16 MPG | — | $3,703 |