- Fuel cost
- MY2000–2027
Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel
The cheapest 2026 vehicle to fuel is the Lucid Air (Pure with 19 inch wheels · RWD) at about $640 a year, $1,900 less than the median vehicle ($2,540) among the 282 vehicles ranked.
The leader went from $1,100 in MY2000 (Nissan Altra EV) to $640 in MY2026 (Lucid Air); the top-10 median went from $1,870 to $720.
Partial model year: 156 MY2027 models rated as of Sep 29, 2026. This ranking will change as EPA adds more. MY2027 is still partial: see the 2027 ranking
Lowest cost
$640/yr
Lucid Air · 2026
Median model
$2,540/yr
2026
Models ranked
282
2026
Model years covered
28
MY2000–2027
Top 10 for 2026
| 1 |  | $640 | 146 MPGe | −$1,900 |
| 2 |  | $670 | 139 MPGe | −$1,870 |
| 2 |  | $670 | 138 MPGe | −$1,870 |
| 4 |  | $700 | 131 MPGe | −$1,840 |
| 4 |  | $700 | 129 MPGe | −$1,840 |
| 6 |  | $730 | 126 MPGe | −$1,810 |
| 7 |  | $740 | 127 MPGe | −$1,800 |
| 7 |  | $740 | 126 MPGe | −$1,800 |
| 9 |  | $750 | 124 MPGe | −$1,790 |
| 10 |  | $760 | 121 MPGe | −$1,780 |
Year by year: leader and top-10 median
The leader of each model year and the median of that year's top 10, both computed from the same rows as the yearly rankings. The leader's name opens that year's full ranking.
| 2027 | Lucid Air partial year | $640 | $760 | 156 |
| 2026 | $640 | $720 | 282 | |
| 2025 | $640 | $750 | 303 | |
| 2024 | $660 | $770 | 307 | |
| 2023 | $650 | $770 | 312 | |
| 2022 | $700 | $770 | 309 | |
| 2021 | $650 | $800 | 291 | |
| 2020 | $660 | $790 | 318 | |
| 2019 | $690 | $800 | 308 | |
| 2018 | $690 | $800 | 297 | |
| 2017 | $690 | $800 | 303 | |
| 2016 | $740 | $820 | 295 | |
| 2015 | $740 | $840 | 294 | |
| 2014 | $740 | $820 | 297 | |
| 2013 | $770 | $850 | 281 | |
| 2012 | $820 | $1,210 | 286 | |
| 2011 | $910 | $1,490 | 295 | |
| 2010 | $1,310 | $1,780 | 289 | |
| 2009 | $1,420 | $2,040 | 315 | |
| 2008 | $930 | $1,980 | 318 | |
| 2007 | $1,420 | $2,080 | 297 | |
| 2006 | $1,260 | $2,220 | 290 | |
| 2005 | $1,260 | $2,150 | 304 | |
| 2004 | $1,260 | $2,150 | 294 | |
| 2003 | $1,180 | $2,050 | 272 | |
| 2002 | $1,180 | $2,080 | 256 | |
| 2001 | $1,230 | $1,590 | 246 | |
| 2000 | $1,100 | $1,870 | 232 |
Open a model year
How this list is built
Every line below is read from the list definition that produced the table.
- Classes: every EPA class except special-purpose vehicles.
- Powertrains: Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, Electric, Diesel.
- Ranked by annual fuel cost, lowest first.
- One row per model (make and model): the configuration that ranks best in this list is shown, with its trim, engine and drive named in the row.
- Ties are decided on the displayed value (whole MPG or miles, kWh per 100 miles to one decimal, cost rounded to $10): tied models share a rank, then are ordered by a tie-breaker and by name.
- Special-purpose vehicles, such as heavy-duty variants, are excluded.
- Annual cost assumes 15,000 miles a year at the EPA rating and the dated national fuel prices stamped below; it is rounded to $10 and all differences use the rounded values.
- Plug-in hybrids are costed with the EPA utility factor: the share of driving done on electricity.
- Model years MY2000 to MY2027; a year is listed only when at least 10 models qualify.
Data and period
- EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026
- Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. average, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh)
- 15,000 miles a year, 55% city and 45% highway
Frequently asked questions
Which 2026 vehicle is the cheapest to fuel?
The cheapest 2026 vehicle to fuel is the Lucid Air (Pure with 19 inch wheels · RWD) at about $640 a year, $1,900 less than the median vehicle ($2,540) among the 282 vehicles ranked.
Which model years does this ranking cover?
MY2000 to MY2027. A year gets its own page only when at least 10 models qualify, so the pages cover 28 model years.
Which model year does the top 10 above show?
MY2026, the latest complete model year. MY2027 is still being rated by EPA and is listed as a partial year.
How are ties, trims and drivetrains handled?
Each model appears once, with the configuration that ranks best in this list; its trim, engine and drive are named in the row. Models with the same displayed value share a rank (1, 2, 2, 4) and are then ordered by a tie-breaker and by name. See the methodology.
How is annual fuel cost calculated?
15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating and the national average price of the fuel each car uses (premium where required), electricity at the national residential price, and the EPA utility factor for plug-in hybrids. Costs are rounded to $10. See the methodology.