DecodedCarsCheapest cars to fuel
Lowest EPA estimated annual fuel or electricity cost (15,000 miles a year at current national prices) for the latest model year. A quick way to compare running costs across gas, hybrid and electric.
Updated Oct 28, 2026 · How we calculate this →
The 2026 Lucid Air leads this list ($500 / year · Large Cars), ahead of the 2026 Tesla Model 3 ($550 / year · Midsize Cars) and the 2026 Tesla Model Y ($550 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD).
The list covers 30 models from 18 makes. Tesla has 4, Subaru has 3, Volvo has 3.
Rounding out the top ten: 2026 Toyota bZ, 2026 Lexus ES, 2026 Tesla Model S, 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, 2026 Lexus RZ, 2026 Subaru Uncharted, 2026 Nissan Leaf.
Further down, places 28 to 30 go to the 2026 Lucid Gravity, the 2026 Volvo EC40, the 2026 Volvo EX40 ($700 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD for the last).
How to use this list: Yearly fuel cost is the EPA estimate for 15,000 miles at national average prices, so it already reflects whether a car needs premium fuel. Your local prices can change the order.
| # | Model | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Lucid Air | $500 / year · Large Cars |
| 2 | 2026 Tesla Model 3 | $550 / year · Midsize Cars |
| 3 | 2026 Tesla Model Y | $550 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 4 | 2026 Toyota bZ | $550 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 5 | 2026 Lexus ES | $600 / year · Midsize Cars |
| 6 | 2026 Tesla Model S | $600 / year · Large Cars |
| 7 | 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class | $600 / year · Compact Cars |
| 8 | 2026 Lexus RZ | $600 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 9 | 2026 Subaru Uncharted | $600 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 10 | 2026 Nissan Leaf | $650 / year · Small Station Wagons |
| 11 | 2026 Fiat 500e | $650 / year · Minicompact Cars |
| 12 | 2026 Toyota C-HR | $650 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 13 | 2026 Volkswagen ID.4 | $650 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 14 | 2026 Audi Q4 e-tron | $650 / year · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 15 | 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | $650 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 16 | 2026 Kia EV6 | $650 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 17 | 2026 BMW i4 | $650 / year · Compact Cars |
| 18 | 2026 Subaru Solterra | $650 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 19 | 2026 Volvo EX30 | $650 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 20 | 2026 Subaru Trailseeker | $650 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 21 | 2026 Chevrolet Equinox | $700 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 22 | 2026 Porsche Macan | $700 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 23 | 2026 Tesla Model X | $700 / year · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 24 | 2026 Kia Niro | $700 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 25 | 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E | $700 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 26 | 2026 Genesis GV60 | $700 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 27 | 2026 BMW i5 | $700 / year · Compact Cars |
| 28 | 2026 Lucid Gravity | $700 / year · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 29 | 2026 Volvo EC40 | $700 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| 30 | 2026 Volvo EX40 | $700 / year · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |