Ford Mustang vs Chevrolet Corvette: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Ford Mustang is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,510 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Mustang, 26 MPG combined), against $4,170 for the Chevrolet Corvette (Corvette, 19 MPG combined). That is $1,660 a year, or $8,300 over five years.
A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Gas
- Small cars
Ford Mustang
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Mustang
$16.73 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
6 configurations in MY2026
- Gas
- Two-seaters
Chevrolet Corvette
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Corvette
$27.80 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
6 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Ford Mustang$2,510 a year · $16.73 per 100 mi
- Chevrolet Corvette$4,170 a year · $27.80 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$1,660
Ford Mustang costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$8,300
$1,660 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Ford Mustang | Chevrolet Corvette |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Mustang | Corvette |
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Combined rating | 26 MPG (better) | 19 MPG |
| City rating | 22 MPG (better) | 16 MPG |
| Highway rating | 33 MPG (better) | 25 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,510/yr (better) | $4,170/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $16.73 (better) | $27.80 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $2,510–$6,700 | $4,170–$5,700 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 6 | 6 |
| EPA class | Small cars | Two-seaters |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Ford Mustang | Chevrolet Corvette |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 26 MPG · $2,510/yr Mustang | 19 MPG · $4,170/yr Corvette |
| Hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 | 19 MPG · $4,340/yr Corvette E-Ray |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Ford Mustang
- Lower annual fuel cost: $2,510 vs $4,170
- Higher combined rating: 26 MPG vs 19 MPG
- Higher city rating: 22 MPG vs 16 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 33 MPG vs 25 MPG
Chevrolet Corvette
- Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Ford Mustang does not
Year by year
| Model year | Ford Mustang | Chevrolet Corvette | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 12–26 MPG | $2,510–$6,700 | 14–19 MPG | $4,170–$5,700 |
| 2025 | 12–26 MPG | $2,530–$5,440 | 14–19 MPG | $4,200–$5,760 |
| 2024 | 17–26 MPG | $2,520–$3,950 | 14–19 MPG | $4,210–$5,700 |
| 2023 | 17–25 MPG | $2,570–$3,850 | 14–19 MPG | $3,490–$5,700 |
| 2022 | 14–25 MPG | $2,570–$5,700 | 19 MPG | $4,320 |
| 2021 | 14–25 MPG | $2,600–$5,700 | 19 MPG | $4,240 |
| 2020 | 14–25 MPG | $2,600–$5,700 | 19 MPG | $4,240 |
| 2019 | 16–25 MPG | $2,570–$4,970 | 15–19 MPG | $4,180–$5,510 |
| 2018 | 16–25 MPG | $2,570–$4,970 | 16–19 MPG | $4,220–$4,890 |
| 2017 | 16–24 MPG | $2,720–$4,970 | 16–19 MPG | $4,210–$4,890 |
| 2016 | 16–25 MPG | $2,590–$4,890 | 16–21 MPG | $3,850–$4,880 |
| 2015 | 18–25 MPG | $2,570–$3,600 | 16–21 MPG | $3,850–$5,000 |
| 2014 | 18–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,430 | 20–21 MPG | $3,850–$4,110 |
| 2013 | 18–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,440 | 17–19 MPG | $3,370–$4,830 |
| 2012 | 18–23 MPG | $2,830–$4,590 | 17–19 MPG | $3,370–$4,840 |
| 2011 | 17–23 MPG | $2,840–$4,600 | 16–19 MPG | $3,370–$5,060 |
| 2010 | 17–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,730 | 16–19 MPG | $3,440–$5,020 |
| 2009 | 16–20 MPG | $3,270–$5,020 | 16–19 MPG | $4,230–$5,020 |
| 2008 | 16–20 MPG | $3,270–$5,020 | 18–19 MPG | $4,230–$4,460 |
| 2007 | 16–20 MPG | $3,270–$5,020 | 18–19 MPG | $4,230–$4,460 |
| 2006 | 18–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,630 | 18–19 MPG | $4,230–$4,460 |
| 2005 | 18–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,630 | 19 MPG | $4,230 |
| 2004 | 17–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,840 | 19–20 MPG | $4,020–$4,230 |
| 2003 | 17–21 MPG | $3,110–$4,730 | 19–20 MPG | $4,020–$4,230 |
| 2002 | 18–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,630 | 19–20 MPG | $4,020–$4,230 |
| 2001 | 18–20 MPG | $3,270–$4,460 | 19–20 MPG | $4,020–$4,230 |
| 2000 | 14–21 MPG | $3,110–$5,740 | 18–19 MPG | $4,230–$4,460 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ford Mustang or the Chevrolet Corvette?
The Ford Mustang is cheaper: about $2,510 a year against $4,170 for the Chevrolet Corvette, a difference of $1,660 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Ford Mustang save over five years?
About $8,300 ($1,660 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Ford Mustang or the Chevrolet Corvette?
The Ford Mustang is rated 26 MPG combined against 19 MPG for the Chevrolet Corvette. City: 22 MPG vs 16 MPG. Highway: 33 MPG vs 25 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Corvette in the same class?
The EPA classes the Ford Mustang as Small cars and the Chevrolet Corvette as Two-seaters, so they are listed as rivals.
Explore these cars
- Ford Mustang: ratings, trims and every model year
- Chevrolet Corvette: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Ford Mustang: all configurations
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette: all configurations
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