2009 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2009 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 33 EPA-rated 2009 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Honda Civic Hybrid leads at about $1,107 a year (42 MPG), while the Bentley Brooklands is the most expensive to run at $5,386 (11 MPG). The median compact car costs $2,022 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 Corolla30 MPG $1,550
  3. 3Kia Rio30 MPG $1,550
  4. 4Hyundai Accent29 MPG $1,603
  5. 5Ford Focus28 MPG $1,661
  6. 6Mazda 327 MPG $1,722
  7. 7Saturn Astra27 MPG $1,722
  8. 8Volkswagen Jetta Diesel32 MPG $1,734
  9. 9Pontiac G626 MPG $1,788
  10. 10Suzuki SX426 MPG $1,788
  11. 11Honda Accord25 MPG $1,860
  12. 12Mitsubishi Lancer25 MPG $1,860
  13. 13Volkswagen Jetta24 MPG $1,938
  14. 14Chrysler Sebring24 MPG $1,938
  15. 15Volvo S4024 MPG $1,938

All 33 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Honda Civic Hybrid Hybrid 42 MPG — $1,107
2Toyota Corolla Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
3Kia Rio Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
4Hyundai Accent 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
8Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Diesel 32 MPG — $1,734
9Pontiac G6 Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
10Suzuki SX4 Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
11Honda Accord Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
12Mitsubishi Lancer Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
13Volkswagen Jetta Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
14Chrysler Sebring Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
15Volvo S40 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
16Volkswagen Rabbit Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
17Saab 9-3 Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
18Volvo S60 Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
19Volvo C30 Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
20BMW 3 Series Diesel Diesel 27 MPG — $2,056
21Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
22Dodge Challenger Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
23Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
24Acura TSX Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
25Volkswagen CC Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
26Lexus GS Hybrid Hybrid 23 MPG — $2,576
27Mercedes-Benz C-Class Flex-fuel 21 MPG — $2,821
28Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
29Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
30Rolls-Royce Phantom Gas 14 MPG — $4,232
31Bentley Continental Gas 13 MPG — $4,558
32Bentley Azure Gas 11 MPG — $5,386
33Bentley Brooklands Gas 11 MPG — $5,386

More 2009 rankings

2009 class rankings

This ranking in other years