2009 rankings · Subcompact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2009 Subcompact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 53 EPA-rated 2009 subcompact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Toyota Yaris leads at about $1,453 a year (32 MPG), while the Alfa Romeo Spider is the most expensive to run at $4,558 (13 MPG). The median subcompact car costs $2,693 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. 1Toyota Yaris32 MPG $1,453
  2. 2Chevrolet Aveo30 MPG $1,550
  3. 3Chevrolet Cobalt30 MPG $1,550
  4. 4Pontiac G530 MPG $1,550
  5. 5Pontiac G330 MPG $1,550
  6. 6Honda Civic CNG28 MPGe $1,554
  7. 7Honda Civic29 MPG $1,603
  8. 8Scion xD29 MPG $1,603
  9. 9Nissan Altima26 MPG $1,788
  10. 10MINI Cooper32 MPG $1,852
  11. 11MINI Clubman32 MPG $1,852
  12. 12Scion tC24 MPG $1,938
  13. 13Mitsubishi Eclipse23 MPG $2,022
  14. 14Volkswagen Beetle23 MPG $2,022
  15. 15MINI John Cooper Works29 MPG $2,043

All 53 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Toyota Yaris Gas 32 MPG — $1,453
2Chevrolet Aveo Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
3Chevrolet Cobalt Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
4Pontiac G5 Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
5Pontiac G3 Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
6Honda Civic CNG Natural gas 28 MPGe — $1,554
7Honda Civic Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
8Scion xD Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
9Nissan Altima Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
10MINI Cooper Gas 32 MPG — $1,852
11MINI Clubman Gas 32 MPG — $1,852
12Scion tC Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
13Mitsubishi Eclipse Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
14Volkswagen Beetle Gas 23 MPG — $2,022
15MINI John Cooper Works Gas 29 MPG — $2,043
16Volvo C70 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
17Audi TT Coupe Gas 26 MPG — $2,279
18Ford Mustang Gas 20 MPG — $2,325
19Audi A4 Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
20Volkswagen Eos Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
21Lexus IS Gas 24 MPG — $2,469
22BMW 3 Series Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
23Porsche Carrera 2 Cabriolet Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
24Porsche Carrera 2 Coupe Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
25Porsche Carrera 2 S Cabriolet Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
26Porsche Carrera 2 S Coupe Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
27BMW 1 Series Gas 22 MPG — $2,693
28Porsche Carrera 4 Cabriolet Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
29Porsche Carrera 4 S Cabriolet Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
30Porsche Carrera 4 S Coupe Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
31Porsche Carrera 4 Coupe Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
32Porsche Carrera 4 S Targa Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
33Porsche Carrera 4 Targa Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
34Infiniti G37 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
35Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
36Audi A5 Gas 20 MPG — $2,962
37Porsche 911 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
38Lexus SC Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
39Mazda RX-8 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
40Jaguar XK Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
41Audi S5 Gas 19 MPG — $3,118
42Jaguar XKR Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
43BMW 6 Series Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
44Lexus IS F Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
45Nissan GT-R Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
46Roush Performance Mustang Gas 17 MPG — $3,485
47Audi S4 Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
48BMW M Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
49Maserati GranTurismo Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
50Ferrari California Gas 15 MPG — $3,950
51Aston Martin DB9 Gas 14 MPG — $4,232
52Saleen S281 Family Gas 14 MPG — $4,232
53Alfa Romeo Spider Gas 13 MPG — $4,558

More 2009 rankings

2009 class rankings

This ranking in other years