2000 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2000 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 43 EPA-rated 2000 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Toyota Echo leads at about $1,453 a year (32 MPG), while the Jaguar XJR is the most expensive to run at $3,703 (16 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. 1Toyota Echo32 MPG $1,453
  2. 2Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel38 MPG $1,461
  3. 3Volkswagen Jetta Diesel38 MPG $1,461
  4. 4Toyota Corolla30 MPG $1,550
  5. 5Chevrolet Prizm30 MPG $1,550
  6. 6Saturn SL29 MPG $1,603
  7. 7Hyundai Accent/Brio28 MPG $1,661
  8. 8Ford Escort27 MPG $1,722
  9. 9Mazda Protege27 MPG $1,722
  10. 10Dodge Neon27 MPG $1,722
  11. 11Plymouth Neon27 MPG $1,722
  12. 12Ford Focus27 MPG $1,722
  13. 13Nissan Sentra26 MPG $1,788
  14. 14Daewoo Lanos26 MPG $1,788
  15. 15Mercury Cougar25 MPG $1,860

All 43 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Toyota Echo Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
2Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Diesel 38 MPG — $1,461
3Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Diesel 38 MPG — $1,461
4Toyota Corolla Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
5Chevrolet Prizm Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
6Saturn SL Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
7Hyundai Accent/Brio Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
8Ford Escort Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
9Mazda Protege Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
10Dodge Neon Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
11Plymouth Neon Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
12Ford Focus Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
13Nissan Sentra Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
14Daewoo Lanos Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
15Mercury Cougar Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
16Ford Contour Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
17Mercury Mystique Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
18Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
19Volkswagen Jetta Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
20Toyota Camry Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
21Hyundai Elantra Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
22Infiniti G20 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
23Nissan Altima Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
24Toyota Camry CNG Natural gas 22 MPGe — $1,977
25Pontiac Grand Am Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
26Daewoo Nubira Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
27Oldsmobile Alero Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
28Kia Sephia/Spectra Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
29Subaru Legacy/Outback Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
30Lexus ES Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
31Chrysler Sebring Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
32Dodge Avenger Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
33Audi A4 Gas 24 MPG — $2,469
34Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
35BMW 5 Series Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
36Volvo C70 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
37Volvo S40 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
38Mazda Millenia Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
39BMW M Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
40Audi S4 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
41Jaguar XJ Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
42Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
43Jaguar XJR Gas 16 MPG — $3,703

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