1997 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1997 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 36 EPA-rated 1997 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel leads at about $1,500 a year (37 MPG), while the Jaguar XJ is the most expensive to run at $3,292 (18 MPG). The median compact car costs $1,938 a year to fuel.

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. 1Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel37 MPG $1,500
  2. 2Volkswagen Jetta Diesel37 MPG $1,500
  3. 3Mitsubishi Mirage31 MPG $1,500
  4. 4Mazda Protege29 MPG $1,603
  5. 5Dodge Neon29 MPG $1,603
  6. 6Plymouth Neon29 MPG $1,603
  7. 7Ford Escort28 MPG $1,661
  8. 8Mercury Tracer28 MPG $1,661
  9. 9Saturn SL28 MPG $1,661
  10. 10Hyundai Accent28 MPG $1,661
  11. 11Kia Sephia27 MPG $1,722
  12. 12Chevrolet Cavalier26 MPG $1,788
  13. 13Pontiac Sunfire26 MPG $1,788
  14. 14Honda Accord25 MPG $1,860
  15. 15Subaru Legacy/Outback24 MPG $1,938

All 36 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Diesel 37 MPG — $1,500
2Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Diesel 37 MPG — $1,500
3Mitsubishi Mirage Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
4Mazda Protege Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
5Dodge Neon Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
6Plymouth Neon Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
7Ford Escort Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
8Mercury Tracer Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
9Saturn SL Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
10Hyundai Accent Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
11Kia Sephia Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
12Chevrolet Cavalier Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
13Pontiac Sunfire Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
14Honda Accord Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
15Subaru Legacy/Outback Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
16Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
17Volkswagen Jetta Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
18Nissan Altima / Stanza Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
19Hyundai Elantra Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
20Ford Contour Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
21Mercury Mystique Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
22Buick Skylark Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
23Mitsubishi Galant Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
24Oldsmobile Achieva Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
25Pontiac Grand Am Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
26Dodge Avenger Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
27Chrysler Sebring Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
28Lexus ES Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
29Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
30BMW 5 Series Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
31Audi A4 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
32Acura TL Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
33Mazda Millenia Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
34Audi A6 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
35Volvo 960/S90 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
36Jaguar XJ Gas 18 MPG — $3,292

More 1997 rankings

1997 class rankings

This ranking in other years