1997 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1997 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 41 EPA-rated 1997 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Geo Metro leads at about $1,162 a year (40 MPG), while the Ferrari Ferrari 456 is the most expensive to run at $5,386 (11 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $2,022 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. 1Geo Metro40 MPG $1,162
  2. 2Suzuki Swift35 MPG $1,329
  3. 3Honda Civic34 MPG $1,368
  4. 4Ford Aspire33 MPG $1,409
  5. 5Toyota Tercel31 MPG $1,500
  6. 6Toyota Corolla29 MPG $1,603
  7. 7Toyota Paseo29 MPG $1,603
  8. 8Nissan Sentra/200SX29 MPG $1,603
  9. 9Suzuki Esteem29 MPG $1,603
  10. 10Saturn SC28 MPG $1,661
  11. 11Toyota Celica28 MPG $1,661
  12. 12Geo Prizm28 MPG $1,661
  13. 13Mazda MX-626 MPG $1,788
  14. 14Ford Probe25 MPG $1,860
  15. 15Acura Integra24 MPG $1,938

All 41 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Geo Metro Gas 40 MPG — $1,162
2Suzuki Swift Gas 35 MPG — $1,329
3Honda Civic Gas 34 MPG — $1,368
4Ford Aspire Gas 33 MPG — $1,409
5Toyota Tercel Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
6Toyota Corolla Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
7Toyota Paseo Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
8Nissan Sentra/200SX Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
9Suzuki Esteem Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
10Saturn SC Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
11Toyota Celica Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
12Geo Prizm Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
13Mazda MX-6 Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
14Ford Probe Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
15Acura Integra Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
16Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
17Volkswagen Cabrio Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
18Acura CL Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
19Eagle Talon Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
20Mitsubishi Eclipse Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
21Hyundai Tiburon Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
22Ford Mustang Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
23Saab 900 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
24Chevrolet Camaro Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
25Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
26Mitsubishi 3000 GT Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
27Mitsubishi 3000 GT Spyder Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
28BMW 3 Series Gas 24 MPG — $2,469
29Nissan 240SX Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
30BMW M Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
31Audi Cabriolet Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
32Toyota Supra Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
33Lexus SC Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
34Porsche 911 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
35Infiniti J30 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
36Subaru SVX Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
37BMW 8 Series Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
38Aston Martin DB7 Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
39Rolls-Royce Corniche/Continental Gas 12 MPG — $4,938
40Rolls-Royce Azure Gas 12 MPG — $4,938
41Ferrari Ferrari 456 Gas 11 MPG — $5,386

More 1997 rankings

1997 class rankings

This ranking in other years