2011 rankings · Compact Cars

Most Fuel-Efficient 2011 Compact Cars, Ranked

We ranked all 40 EPA-rated 2011 compact cars by what they cost to fuel. The Lexus CT leads at about $1,107 a year (42 MPG), while the Rolls-Royce Phantom is the most expensive to run at $4,232 (14 MPG). The median compact car costs $1,824 a year to fuel. The class includes 0 electric and 6 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. 1Lexus CT42 MPG $1,107
  2. 2Honda Civic Hybrid41 MPG $1,134
  3. 3Honda Insight40 MPG $1,162
  4. 4Chevrolet Volt93 MPGe + 37 MPG $1,199
  5. 5Lexus HS34 MPG $1,368
  6. 6Mazda 231 MPG $1,500
  7. 7Toyota Corolla30 MPG $1,550
  8. 8Hyundai Accent30 MPG $1,550
  9. 9Kia Rio30 MPG $1,550
  10. 10Kia Forte30 MPG $1,550
  11. 11Ford Focus29 MPG $1,603
  12. 12Volkswagen Jetta28 MPG $1,661
  13. 13Mitsubishi Lancer28 MPG $1,661
  14. 14Mazda 328 MPG $1,661
  15. 15Suzuki SX428 MPG $1,661

All 40 models

#Model Type Combined Range Fuel / yr
1Lexus CT Hybrid 42 MPG — $1,107
2Honda Civic Hybrid Hybrid 41 MPG — $1,134
3Honda Insight Hybrid 40 MPG — $1,162
4Chevrolet Volt Plug-in hybrid 93 MPGe + 37 MPG 380 mi $1,199
5Lexus HS Hybrid 34 MPG — $1,368
6Mazda 2 Gas 31 MPG — $1,500
7Toyota Corolla Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
8Hyundai Accent Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
9Kia Rio Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
10Kia Forte Gas 30 MPG — $1,550
11Ford Focus Gas 29 MPG — $1,603
12Volkswagen Jetta Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
13Mitsubishi Lancer Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
14Mazda 3 Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
15Suzuki SX4 Gas 28 MPG — $1,661
16Volkswagen Golf/GTI Gas 27 MPG — $1,722
17Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel Diesel 32 MPG — $1,734
18Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Diesel 32 MPG — $1,734
19Honda Accord Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
20Suzuki Kizashi Gas 26 MPG — $1,788
21Scion tC Gas 25 MPG — $1,860
22Saab 9-3 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
23Volvo S40 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
24Volvo C30 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
25Chrysler 200 Gas 24 MPG — $1,938
26MINI Countryman Gas 30 MPG — $1,975
27BMW 3 Series Diesel Diesel 27 MPG — $2,056
28Chevrolet Camaro Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
29Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Gas 22 MPG — $2,114
30Volvo S60 Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
31Dodge Challenger Gas 21 MPG — $2,214
32Audi A4 Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
33Acura TSX Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
34Volkswagen CC Gas 25 MPG — $2,370
35Lexus GS Hybrid Hybrid 23 MPG — $2,576
36Audi S4 Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
37Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gas 21 MPG — $2,821
38Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Gas 18 MPG — $3,292
39Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Gas 16 MPG — $3,703
40Rolls-Royce Phantom Gas 14 MPG — $4,232

More 2011 rankings

2011 class rankings

This ranking in other years