1998 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 1998 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 38 EPA-rated 1998 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Volkswagen Jetta Diesel leads at about $1,500 a year (37 MPG), while the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is the most expensive to run at $3,703 (16 MPG). The median compact car costs $1,938 a year to fuel. The class includes 1 electric and 0 hybrid or plug-in model.

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 Jetta Diesel37 MPG $1,500
  2. 2Toyota Corolla30 MPG $1,550
  3. 3Mazda Protege29 MPG $1,603
  4. 4Dodge Neon29 MPG $1,603
  5. 5Plymouth Neon29 MPG $1,603
  6. 6Chevrolet Prizm29 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. 11Daewoo Lanos26 MPG $1,788
  12. 12Ford Contour25 MPG $1,860
  13. 13Mercury Mystique25 MPG $1,860
  14. 14Daewoo Nubira25 MPG $1,860
  15. 15Honda EV Plus48 MPGe $1,917

All 38 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Diesel 37 MPG — $1,500
2Toyota Corolla Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
3Mazda Protege Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
4Dodge Neon Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
5Plymouth Neon Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
6Chevrolet Prizm 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
11Daewoo Lanos Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
12Ford Contour Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
13Mercury Mystique Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
14Daewoo Nubira Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
15Honda EV Plus Electric 48 MPGe 81 mi $1,917
16Subaru Legacy/Outback Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
17Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
18Volkswagen Jetta Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
19Kia Sephia Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
20Hyundai Elantra Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
21Oldsmobile Achieva Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
22Pontiac Grand Am Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
23Nissan Altima Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
24Buick Skylark Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
25Mitsubishi Galant Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
26Chrysler Sebring Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
27Dodge Avenger Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
28Chrysler JX/JXI/Limited Convertible Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
29BMW 5 Series Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
30Lexus ES Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
31Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
32Audi A4 Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
33Acura TL Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
34Mazda Millenia Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
35Jaguar XJ Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
36Volvo S90 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
37Jaguar XJR Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
38Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Gas 16 MPG — $3,703

More 1998 rankings

1998 class rankings

This ranking in other years