2004 rankings · Midsize Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2004 Midsize Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 39 EPA-rated 2004 midsize cars by what they cost to fuel. The Toyota Prius leads at about $1,011 a year (46 MPG), while the Bentley Arnage is the most expensive to run at $5,386 (11 MPG). The median midsize car costs $2,325 a year to fuel. The class includes 0 electric and 1 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. 1Toyota Prius46 MPG $1,011
  2. 2Honda Accord26 MPG $1,788
  3. 3Chevrolet Malibu25 MPG $1,860
  4. 4Saturn L30025 MPG $1,860
  5. 5Chevrolet Classic25 MPG $1,860
  6. 6Mazda 624 MPG $1,938
  7. 7Hyundai Sonata23 MPG $2,022
  8. 8Mitsubishi Galant23 MPG $2,022
  9. 9Nissan Altima23 MPG $2,022
  10. 10Kia Optima23 MPG $2,022
  11. 11Volkswagen Passat Diesel27 MPG $2,056
  12. 12Chevrolet Monte Carlo22 MPG $2,114
  13. 13Saab 9-522 MPG $2,114
  14. 14Buick Century21 MPG $2,214
  15. 15Buick Regal21 MPG $2,214

All 39 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Toyota Prius Hybrid 46 MPG — $1,011
2Honda Accord Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
3Chevrolet Malibu Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
4Saturn L300 Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
5Chevrolet Classic Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
6Mazda 6 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
7Hyundai Sonata Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
8Mitsubishi Galant Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
9Nissan Altima Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
10Kia Optima Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
11Volkswagen Passat Diesel Diesel 27 MPG — $2,056
12Chevrolet Monte Carlo Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
13Saab 9-5 Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
14Buick Century Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
15Buick Regal Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
16Nissan Maxima Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
17Pontiac Grand Prix Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
18Lexus ES Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
19Mercury Sable Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
20Infiniti I35 Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
21Chevrolet Epica Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
22Daewoo Magnus Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
23Suzuki Verona Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
24Cadillac Seville Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
25Cadillac CTS Gas 19 MPG — $2,447
26Hyundai XG Gas 18 MPG — $2,583
27BMW 5 Series Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
28Acura TL Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
29Audi A6 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
30Volvo S80 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
31Lincoln LS Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
32Mercedes-Benz E-Class Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
33Lexus GS Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
34Jaguar S-type Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
35Infiniti Q45 Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
36Mitsubishi Diamante Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
37Acura RL Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
38Rolls-Royce Phantom Gas 13 MPG — $4,558
39Bentley Arnage Gas 11 MPG — $5,386

More 2004 rankings

2004 class rankings

This ranking in other years