2008 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2008 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 34 EPA-rated 2008 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Honda Civic Hybrid leads at about $1,107 a year (42 MPG), while the Bentley Azure is the most expensive to run at $5,386 (11 MPG). The median compact car costs $2,242 a year to fuel. The class includes 0 electric and 2 hybrid or plug-in models.

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 Civic Hybrid42 MPG $1,107
  2. 2Toyota Corolla31 MPG $1,500
  3. 3Hyundai Accent29 MPG $1,603
  4. 4Kia Rio29 MPG $1,603
  5. 5Ford Focus28 MPG $1,661
  6. 6Mazda 327 MPG $1,722
  7. 7Saturn Astra27 MPG $1,722
  8. 8Toyota Camry25 MPG $1,860
  9. 9Honda Accord25 MPG $1,860
  10. 10Pontiac G625 MPG $1,860
  11. 11Volkswagen Jetta24 MPG $1,938
  12. 12Mitsubishi Lancer24 MPG $1,938
  13. 13Volkswagen Rabbit24 MPG $1,938
  14. 14Chrysler PT Cruiser23 MPG $2,022
  15. 15Suzuki Forenza23 MPG $2,022

All 34 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Honda Civic Hybrid Hybrid 42 MPG — $1,107
2Toyota Corolla Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
3Hyundai Accent Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
4Kia Rio Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
5Ford Focus Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
6Mazda 3 Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
7Saturn Astra Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
8Toyota Camry Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
9Honda Accord Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
10Pontiac G6 Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
11Volkswagen Jetta Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
12Mitsubishi Lancer Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
13Volkswagen Rabbit Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
14Chrysler PT Cruiser Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
15Suzuki Forenza Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
16Suzuki Reno Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
17Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
18Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
19Audi A4 Gas 24 MPG — $2,469
20Lexus GS Hybrid Hybrid 23 MPG — $2,576
21Saab 9-3 Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
22Volvo S40 Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
23Acura TSX Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
24Volvo C30 Gas 23 MPG — $2,576
25Volvo S60 Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
26Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
27Volkswagen R32 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
28Jaguar X-Type Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
29Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
30Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
31Audi RS 4 Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
32Rolls-Royce Phantom Gas 14 MPG — $4,232
33Bentley Continental Gas 13 MPG — $4,558
34Bentley Azure Gas 11 MPG — $5,386

More 2008 rankings

2008 class rankings

This ranking in other years