2003 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2003 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 37 EPA-rated 2003 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Volkswagen Beetle Diesel leads at about $1,461 a year (38 MPG), while the Aston Martin DB-7 GT is the most expensive to run at $5,386 (11 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $3,118 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. 1Volkswagen Beetle Diesel38 MPG $1,461
  2. 2Toyota Celica28 MPG $1,661
  3. 3Acura RSX26 MPG $1,788
  4. 4Ford Escort25 MPG $1,860
  5. 5Mitsubishi Eclipse24 MPG $1,938
  6. 6Volkswagen Beetle24 MPG $1,938
  7. 7Hyundai Tiburon23 MPG $2,022
  8. 8MINI Cooper28 MPG $2,116
  9. 9Ford Mustang21 MPG $2,214
  10. 10Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport21 MPG $2,214
  11. 11BMW 3 Series22 MPG $2,693
  12. 12Audi TT Coupe21 MPG $2,821
  13. 13Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class20 MPG $2,962
  14. 14Volvo C7020 MPG $2,962
  15. 15Jaguar XK819 MPG $3,118

All 37 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Volkswagen Beetle Diesel Diesel 38 MPG — $1,461
2Toyota Celica Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
3Acura RSX Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
4Ford Escort Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
5Mitsubishi Eclipse Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
6Volkswagen Beetle Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
7Hyundai Tiburon Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
8MINI Cooper Gas 28 MPG — $2,116
9Ford Mustang Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
10Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
11BMW 3 Series Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
12Audi TT Coupe Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
13Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
14Volvo C70 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
15Jaguar XK8 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
16Porsche Carrera 2 Cabriolet Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
17Porsche Carrera 2 Cabriolet Kit Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
18Porsche Carrera 2 Coupe Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
19Porsche Carrera 2 Coupe Kit Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
20Porsche Targa Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
21Lexus SC Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
22Roush Performance Mustang Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
23Porsche Carrera 4 Cabriolet Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
24Porsche Carrera 4 Cabriolet Kit Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
25Porsche Carrera 4 S Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
26Porsche Carrera 4 S Kit Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
27BMW M Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
28Jaguar XKR Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
29Porsche Turbo Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
30Porsche Turbo Kit Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
31Aston Martin DB-7 Vantage Gas 13 MPG — $4,558
32Aston Martin Vanquish Gas 13 MPG — $4,558
33Bentley Azure Gas 12 MPG — $4,938
34Bentley Continental Gas 12 MPG — $4,938
35Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa/coupe GT Gas 12 MPG — $4,938
36Ferrari 456 MGT/MGA Gas 11 MPG — $5,386
37Aston Martin DB-7 GT Gas 11 MPG — $5,386

More 2003 rankings

2003 class rankings

This ranking in other years