2003 rankings · Midsize Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2003 Midsize Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 38 EPA-rated 2003 midsize cars by what they cost to fuel. The Honda Accord leads at about $1,788 a year (26 MPG), while the Bentley Arnage is the most expensive to run at $5,386 (11 MPG). The median midsize car costs $2,512 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. 1Honda Accord26 MPG $1,788
  2. 2Saturn L100/20024 MPG $1,938
  3. 3Mazda 624 MPG $1,938
  4. 4Hyundai Sonata23 MPG $2,022
  5. 5Nissan Altima23 MPG $2,022
  6. 6Kia Optima23 MPG $2,022
  7. 7Chevrolet Monte Carlo22 MPG $2,114
  8. 8Saab 9-522 MPG $2,114
  9. 9Buick Century21 MPG $2,214
  10. 10Nissan Maxima21 MPG $2,214
  11. 11Mercury Sable21 MPG $2,214
  12. 12Pontiac Grand Prix21 MPG $2,214
  13. 13Lexus ES21 MPG $2,214
  14. 14Mitsubishi Galant21 MPG $2,214
  15. 15Chevrolet Malibu21 MPG $2,214

All 38 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Honda Accord Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
2Saturn L100/200 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
3Mazda 6 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
4Hyundai Sonata Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
5Nissan Altima Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
6Kia Optima Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
7Chevrolet Monte Carlo Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
8Saab 9-5 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
9Buick Century Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
10Nissan Maxima Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
11Mercury Sable Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
12Pontiac Grand Prix Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
13Lexus ES Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
14Mitsubishi Galant Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
15Chevrolet Malibu Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
16Saturn L300 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
17Buick Regal Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
18Infiniti I35 Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
19Cadillac Seville Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
20Volkswagen Passat Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
21Oldsmobile Aurora Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
22Hyundai XG Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
23Acura TL Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
24Audi A6 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
25Lincoln LS Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
26Mercedes-Benz E-Class Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
27Volvo S80 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
28Lexus GS Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
29Jaguar S-type Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
30Cadillac CTS Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
31Mitsubishi Diamante Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
32Acura RL Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
33Jaguar Vanden Plas Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
34Audi A8 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
35Audi S8 Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
36Jaguar Super V8 Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
37Audi RS 6 Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
38Bentley Arnage Gas 11 MPG — $5,386

More 2003 rankings

2003 class rankings

This ranking in other years