1998 rankings

Most Fuel-Efficient 1998 Cars

1998 sedans, hatchbacks, coupes and wagons (not plug-in) with the best combined MPG.

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

Combined MPG
  1. 1Chevrolet Metro40 MPG 40 MPG
  2. 2Volkswagen Beetle Diesel38 MPG 38 MPG
  3. 3Volkswagen Jetta Diesel37 MPG 37 MPG
  4. 4Volkswagen Passat Diesel37 MPG 37 MPG
  5. 5Suzuki Swift35 MPG 35 MPG
  6. 6Honda Civic34 MPG 34 MPG
  7. 7Mitsubishi Mirage31 MPG 31 MPG
  8. 8Toyota Corolla30 MPG 30 MPG
  9. 9Toyota Tercel30 MPG 30 MPG
  10. 10Mazda Protege29 MPG 29 MPG
  11. 11Nissan Sentra/200SX29 MPG 29 MPG
  12. 12Dodge Neon29 MPG 29 MPG
  13. 13Plymouth Neon29 MPG 29 MPG
  14. 14Suzuki Esteem29 MPG 29 MPG
  15. 15Chevrolet Prizm29 MPG 29 MPG

Full list

#Model ClassType Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Chevrolet Metro Subcompact CarGas 40 MPG — $1,162
2Volkswagen Beetle Diesel Subcompact CarDiesel 38 MPG — $1,461
3Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Compact CarDiesel 37 MPG — $1,500
4Volkswagen Passat Diesel Midsize CarDiesel 37 MPG — $1,500
5Suzuki Swift Subcompact CarGas 35 MPG — $1,329
6Honda Civic Subcompact CarGas 34 MPG — $1,368
7Mitsubishi Mirage Subcompact CarGas 31 MPG — $1,500
8Toyota Corolla Compact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
9Toyota Tercel Subcompact CarGas 30 MPG — $1,550
10Mazda Protege Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
11Nissan Sentra/200SX Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
12Dodge Neon Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
13Plymouth Neon Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
14Suzuki Esteem Subcompact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
15Chevrolet Prizm Compact CarGas 29 MPG — $1,603
16Ford Escort Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
17Mercury Tracer Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
18Toyota Paseo Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
19Saturn SC Subcompact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
20Saturn SL Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
21Hyundai Accent Compact CarGas 28 MPG — $1,661
22Saturn SW WagonGas 27 MPG — $1,722
23Dodge Stratus Midsize CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
24Plymouth Breeze Midsize CarGas 27 MPG — $1,722
25Mazda 626 Midsize CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788
26Mercedes-Benz E-Class Diesel Midsize CarDiesel 26 MPG — $2,135
27Daewoo Lanos Compact CarGas 26 MPG — $1,788
28Chevrolet Cavalier Subcompact CarGas 25 MPG — $1,860
29Ford Contour Compact CarGas 25 MPG — $1,860
30Mercury Mystique Compact CarGas 25 MPG — $1,860

More 1998 rankings

1998 class rankings

This ranking in other years