1997 rankings · Midsize Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1997 Midsize Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 39 EPA-rated 1997 midsize cars by what they cost to fuel. The Volkswagen Passat Diesel leads at about $1,542 a year (36 MPG), while the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur is the most expensive to run at $4,938 (12 MPG). The median midsize car costs $2,447 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 Passat Diesel36 MPG $1,542
  2. 2Dodge Stratus27 MPG $1,722
  3. 3Plymouth Breeze27 MPG $1,722
  4. 4Mazda 62626 MPG $1,788
  5. 5Toyota Camry23 MPG $2,022
  6. 6Mercedes-Benz E-Class Diesel26 MPG $2,135
  7. 7Ford Taurus21 MPG $2,214
  8. 8Hyundai Sonata21 MPG $2,214
  9. 9Mercury Sable21 MPG $2,214
  10. 10Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme21 MPG $2,214
  11. 11Pontiac Grand Prix21 MPG $2,214
  12. 12Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo21 MPG $2,214
  13. 13Chrysler Cirrus21 MPG $2,214
  14. 14Buick Regal/Century21 MPG $2,214
  15. 15Chevrolet Malibu21 MPG $2,214

All 39 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Volkswagen Passat Diesel Diesel 36 MPG — $1,542
2Dodge Stratus Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
3Plymouth Breeze Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
4Mazda 626 Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
5Toyota Camry Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
6Mercedes-Benz E-Class Diesel Diesel 26 MPG — $2,135
7Ford Taurus Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
8Hyundai Sonata Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
9Mercury Sable Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
10Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
11Pontiac Grand Prix Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
12Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
13Chrysler Cirrus Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
14Buick Regal/Century Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
15Chevrolet Malibu Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
16Oldsmobile Cutlass Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
17Buick Riviera Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
18Ford Thunderbird Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
19Mercury Cougar Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
20Volkswagen Passat Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
21Nissan Maxima Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
22Volvo 850 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
23Infiniti I30 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
24Mercedes-Benz E-Class Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
25Lexus LS Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
26Mitsubishi Diamante Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
27Lincoln Mark Viii Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
28Acura RL Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
29Cadillac Catera Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
30Cadillac Eldorado Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
31Cadillac Seville Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
32Infiniti Q45 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
33Lexus GS Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
34Oldsmobile Aurora Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
35Jaguar Vanden Plas Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
36Audi A8 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
37Rolls-Royce Brooklands/Turbo R Gas 12 MPG — $4,938
38Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Gas 12 MPG — $4,938
39Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Gas 12 MPG — $4,938

More 1997 rankings

1997 class rankings

This ranking in other years