Premium-fuel penalty: what requiring premium costs per year
In model year 2026, 255 of 567 gas configurations (45%) require premium fuel. At EIA's Sep 2026 national prices ($5.36 a gallon for premium against $4.36 for regular), the same car costs a median of $750 a year more to fuel on premium than it would on regular, at 15,000 miles a year. That is a fuel-grade price difference only.
Among 48 models that were sold in both a premium and a regular version with the same engine layout, the premium version costs a median of $960 a year more to fuel (55 matched pairs, model years 2001 to 2026). That gap is larger than the price difference alone because it also contains any difference in efficiency between the two versions; the premium version has a lower combined MPG in 39 of the 55 pairs.
The class table shows how common premium is in each class and what the fuel-grade price difference costs; the pair table shows individual models. Click a column heading to sort. These are descriptions of what the EPA file and EIA prices show, not of why a manufacturer chose a fuel.
Data: EPA file 2026-09-29, EIA prices g2026-09_e2026-07 · Gallonly Editorial Team
Require premium
45%
Premium price effect
$750
Models compared
55
How common premium is, by class (MY2026)
| Two-seaters | 97% | 31 | 30 | $820 |
| Small cars | 82% | 101 | 83 | $740 |
| Large cars | 57% | 30 | 17 | $720 |
| Midsize cars | 55% | 42 | 23 | $660 |
| Standard SUVs | 45% | 111 | 50 | $880 |
| Small SUVs | 25% | 146 | 37 | $650 |
| Standard pickups | 16% | 74 | 12 | $970 |
Click a column heading to sort.
Matched premium and regular versions of the same model
| Chrysler 300 SRT8 8-cyl, RWD. 300/SRT-8 (premium) vs 300/SRT-8 (regular) | 2010 | $1,920 | $5,360 | $3,440 | 15 | 19 | $1,000 |
| Dodge Magnum 8-cyl, RWD. Magnum (premium) vs Magnum (regular) | 2008 | $1,730 | $5,360 | $3,630 | 15 | 18 | $1,000 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee 8-cyl, 4WD. Grand Cherokee SRT8 (premium) vs Grand Cherokee (regular) | 2010 | $1,690 | $6,050 | $4,360 | 13 | 15 | $1,130 |
| Dodge Challenger 8-cyl, RWD. Challenger (premium) vs Challenger (regular) | 2010 | $1,580 | $5,020 | $3,440 | 16 | 19 | $940 |
| Ford Mustang 8-cyl, RWD. Shelby GT350 Mustang (premium) vs Mustang (regular) | 2020 | $1,490 | $4,960 | $3,470 | 16 | 19 | $930 |
| Hyundai Kona 4-cyl, FWD. Kona N (premium) vs Kona (regular) | 2023 | $1,480 | $3,550 | $2,070 | 23 | 32 | $660 |
| Ram 1500 6-cyl, 4WD. 1500 HO (premium) vs 1500 (regular) | 2026 | $1,470 | $4,720 | $3,250 | 17 | 20 | $890 |
| Ford Focus 4-cyl, FWD. Focus (premium) vs Focus (regular) | 2004 | $1,410 | $3,830 | $2,420 | 21 | 27 | $720 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 8-cyl, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive. Silverado Classic 1500 (premium) vs Silverado K15 (regular) | 2007 | $1,380 | $5,740 | $4,360 | 14 | 15 | $1,070 |
| Chevrolet SS 8-cyl, RWD. SS (premium) vs SS (regular) | 2016 | $1,220 | $5,040 | $3,820 | 16 | 17 | $940 |
| Hyundai Elantra 4-cyl, FWD. Elantra N (premium) vs Elantra (regular) | 2026 | $1,190 | $3,310 | $2,120 | 24 | 31 | $620 |
| Nissan Sentra 4-cyl, FWD. Sentra (premium) vs Sentra (regular) | 2012 | $1,160 | $3,400 | $2,240 | 24 | 29 | $640 |
| Hyundai Veloster 4-cyl, FWD. Veloster N (premium) vs Veloster (regular) | 2021 | $1,100 | $3,260 | $2,160 | 25 | 30 | $610 |
| Toyota Corolla 4-cyl, FWD. Corolla (premium) vs Corolla (regular) | 2006 | $1,100 | $3,210 | $2,110 | 25 | 31 | $600 |
| Hyundai Genesis 6-cyl, RWD. Genesis Coupe (premium) vs Genesis (regular) | 2016 | $1,090 | $4,120 | $3,030 | 19 | 22 | $770 |
| Chevrolet Malibu 4-cyl, FWD. Malibu (premium) vs Malibu (regular) | 2022 | $1,070 | $3,100 | $2,030 | 26 | 32 | $580 |
| GMC Sierra 8-cyl, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive. Sierra K15 (premium) vs Sierra K15 (regular) | 2008 | $1,070 | $5,740 | $4,670 | 14 | 14 | $1,070 |
| GMC Yukon 8-cyl, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive. Yukon Denali 1500 (premium) vs Yukon XL 1500 (regular) | 2008 | $1,070 | $5,740 | $4,670 | 14 | 14 | $1,070 |
| GMC Yukon 8-cyl, RWD. Yukon 1500 (premium) vs Yukon XL 1500 (regular) | 2008 | $1,070 | $5,740 | $4,670 | 14 | 14 | $1,070 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 8-cyl, RWD. Silverado Classic 1500 (premium) vs Silverado C15 (regular) | 2007 | $1,000 | $5,360 | $4,360 | 15 | 15 | $1,000 |
| Dodge Charger 6-cyl, AWD. Charger Scat Pack (premium) vs Charger R/T (regular) | 2026 | $1,000 | $4,270 | $3,270 | 19 | 20 | $800 |
| GMC Sierra 8-cyl, RWD. Sierra C15 (premium) vs Sierra C15 (regular) | 2008 | $1,000 | $5,360 | $4,360 | 15 | 15 | $1,000 |
| GMC Terrain 4-cyl, AWD. Terrain (premium) vs Terrain (regular) | 2020 | $1,000 | $3,490 | $2,490 | 23 | 26 | $650 |
| Acura RSX 4-cyl, FWD. RSX (premium) vs RSX (regular) | 2006 | $980 | $3,490 | $2,510 | 23 | 26 | $650 |
| GMC Terrain 4-cyl, FWD. Terrain (premium) vs Terrain (regular) | 2020 | $970 | $3,350 | $2,380 | 24 | 27 | $630 |
| Nissan Murano 6-cyl, AWD. Murano CrossCabriolet (premium) vs Murano (regular) | 2014 | $970 | $4,230 | $3,260 | 19 | 20 | $790 |
| Pontiac Vibe 4-cyl, FWD. Vibe (premium) vs Vibe (regular) | 2006 | $960 | $3,210 | $2,250 | 25 | 29 | $600 |
| Toyota Matrix 4-cyl, FWD. Matrix (premium) vs Matrix (regular) | 2006 | $960 | $3,210 | $2,250 | 25 | 29 | $600 |
| Nissan Pathfinder 6-cyl, 4WD. Pathfinder Rock Creek (premium) vs Pathfinder (regular) | 2026 | $950 | $3,820 | $2,870 | 21 | 23 | $720 |
| Chevrolet Equinox 4-cyl, AWD. Equinox (premium) vs Equinox (regular) | 2020 | $930 | $3,320 | $2,390 | 24 | 27 | $620 |
| Toyota Celica 4-cyl, FWD. Celica (premium) vs Celica (regular) | 2005 | $880 | $3,210 | $2,330 | 25 | 28 | $600 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 4-cyl, AWD. Tiguan Limited 4motion (premium) vs Tiguan 4motion (regular) | 2018 | $880 | $3,710 | $2,830 | 22 | 23 | $700 |
| Saab 9-5 4-cyl, FWD. 9-5 (premium) vs 9-5 Wagon (regular) | 2004 | $860 | $3,830 | $2,970 | 21 | 22 | $720 |
| Chevrolet Equinox 4-cyl, FWD. Equinox (premium) vs Equinox (regular) | 2020 | $850 | $3,170 | $2,320 | 25 | 28 | $600 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 4-cyl, FWD. Tiguan Limited (premium) vs Tiguan (regular) | 2018 | $850 | $3,560 | $2,710 | 23 | 24 | $660 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt 4-cyl, FWD. Cobalt (premium) vs Cobalt XFE (regular) | 2008 | $840 | $3,090 | $2,250 | 26 | 29 | $580 |
| Pontiac G5 4-cyl, FWD. G5/Pursuit (premium) vs G5 XFE (regular) | 2008 | $840 | $3,090 | $2,250 | 26 | 29 | $580 |
| Saab 9-3 4-cyl, AWD. 9-3 Sedan (premium) vs 9-3 Sedan (regular) | 2010 | $810 | $3,650 | $2,840 | 22 | 23 | $680 |
| Chevrolet Camaro 8-cyl, RWD. Camaro (premium) vs Camaro (regular) | 2015 | $780 | $4,330 | $3,550 | 19 | 18 | $810 |
| Toyota Tundra 6-cyl, Part-time 4WD. Tundra TRD Perf (premium) vs Tundra (regular) | 2026 | $780 | $4,170 | $3,390 | 19 | 19 | $780 |
| Mazda Protege/Protege 5 4-cyl, FWD. Protege/Protege 5 (premium) vs Protege/Protege 5 (regular) | 2003 | $770 | $3,490 | $2,720 | 23 | 24 | $650 |
| Volkswagen Jetta 4-cyl, FWD. Jetta (premium) vs Jetta (regular) | 2015 | $770 | $3,010 | $2,240 | 27 | 29 | $560 |
| Honda Civic 4-cyl, FWD. Civic 4Dr (premium) vs Civic 4Dr (regular) | 2024 | $760 | $2,560 | $1,800 | 31 | 36 | $480 |
| Chevrolet HHR 4-cyl, FWD. HHR (premium) vs HHR (regular) | 2008 | $740 | $3,350 | $2,610 | 24 | 25 | $630 |
| Toyota Tundra 6-cyl, RWD. Tundra TRD Perf (premium) vs Tundra (regular) | 2026 | $740 | $3,960 | $3,220 | 20 | 20 | $740 |
| Chrysler Sebring 6-cyl, FWD. Sebring (premium) vs Sebring Convertible (regular) | 2005 | $720 | $3,830 | $3,110 | 21 | 21 | $720 |
| Dodge Stratus 6-cyl, FWD. Stratus (premium) vs Stratus 4 Door (regular) | 2005 | $720 | $3,830 | $3,110 | 21 | 21 | $720 |
| Volkswagen Beetle 4-cyl, FWD. Beetle (premium) vs Beetle (regular) | 2015 | $710 | $3,090 | $2,380 | 26 | 27 | $580 |
| Saturn Ion 4-cyl, FWD. Ion (premium) vs Ion (regular) | 2007 | $700 | $3,210 | $2,510 | 25 | 26 | $600 |
| Acura Integra 4-cyl, FWD. Integra (premium) vs Integra (regular) | 2001 | $630 | $3,350 | $2,720 | 24 | 24 | $630 |
| Infiniti G35 6-cyl, RWD. G35 (premium) vs G35 (regular) | 2006 | $580 | $4,020 | $3,440 | 20 | 19 | $750 |
| Pontiac Solstice 4-cyl, RWD. Solstice (premium) vs Solstice (regular) | 2009 | $540 | $3,650 | $3,110 | 22 | 21 | $680 |
| Saturn Sky 4-cyl, RWD. Sky (premium) vs Sky (regular) | 2009 | $540 | $3,650 | $3,110 | 22 | 21 | $680 |
| Volkswagen Golf / GTI 4-cyl, AWD. Golf R (premium) vs Golf SportWagen 4motion (regular) | 2019 | $540 | $3,130 | $2,590 | 26 | 25 | $590 |
| Cadillac CTS 8-cyl, RWD. CTS (premium) vs CTS (regular) | 2013 | $300 | $5,010 | $4,710 | 16 | 14 | $930 |
Click a column heading to sort.
How this was calculated
Population: gas configurations in the EPA file of 2026-09-29. The class table uses MY2026, the latest complete model year (MY2027 is still being filled by EPA). The pair table looks across model years 2000 to 2026, takes each model once, in the newest year in which it had a matched premium and regular version, and prices every pair with today's EIA price set so the years are comparable.
- Annual cost = 15,000 miles divided by the combined MPG, times the EIA national price of the fuel grade the EPA file lists for the configuration, rounded to $10 ($4.36 for regular, $5.36 for premium). The gap is the premium cost minus the regular cost, both already rounded.
- Matched means same cylinder count, same drive layout, same turbo and supercharger flags and an engine size within 0.5 L. The cheapest premium version is set against the cheapest regular version it matches; trims are shown under each model because they are not always the same trim level.
- Grade price only prices the premium configuration as if it ran on regular (rounded cost at premium price minus rounded cost at regular price). It is a way to size the price difference, not a suggestion about what fuel to use: always follow the manufacturer's requirement.
- Midgrade, diesel, flex-fuel E85, hybrid and electric configurations are not part of this analysis. Class rows need at least 20 gas configurations, and a median price effect is shown only with at least 5 premium configurations.
Download the data
Licence: CC BY 4.0. The first lines of the file carry the licence, the citation and the data stamp.
Cite as
Gallonly, “Premium-fuel penalty: what requiring premium costs per year”, https://gallonly.com/insights/premium-fuel-penalty-by-model (EPA file of 2026-09-29; EIA price set g2026-09_e2026-07).
Questions about this story
How much more does premium gas cost per year than regular?
At EIA's Sep 2026 national prices premium is $1.00 a gallon more than regular. For the premium-required MY2026 gas configurations that works out to a median of $750 a year more at 15,000 miles, from $480 to $1,130 across the matched pairs.
Why is the gap between matched versions bigger than the price effect?
The gap compares two different versions, so it also includes any difference in efficiency. In 39 of the 55 matched pairs the premium version has a lower combined MPG than the regular one. The table shows both, so you can see how much of each gap is price and how much is MPG; we do not claim that either causes the other.
Does the fuel grade requirement come from the EPA?
The fuel type of each configuration is the one listed in the EPA fueleconomy.gov file, which follows the manufacturer's certification. Check the owner's manual for what your vehicle needs. See how we calculate costs.