Gallonly
  • Fuel cost
  • MY2006

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2006

The cheapest 2006 vehicle to fuel is the Honda Insight (1.0 L · FWD) at about $1,260 a year, $2,570 less than the median vehicle ($3,830) among the 290 vehicles ranked.

The top 10 run from $1,260 to $2,250. Each model is listed once, with its best qualifying configuration named in the row; models with the same displayed value share a rank.

Lowest cost

$1,260/yr

Honda Insight

Median model

$3,830/yr

290 models

Top-10 median

$2,220/yr

Models ranked

290

one row per model

Full ranking

Showing the top 50 of 290 models. Every column is sortable.

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2006: top 50 of 290 models
1
Honda Insight
1.0 L · FWD
Two-seaters · Hybrid
$1,26052 MPG−$2,570
2
Toyota Prius
1.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,42046 MPG−$2,410
3
Honda Civic
Hybrid · 1.3 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,56042 MPG−$2,270
4
Toyota Corolla
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,11031 MPG−$1,720
5
Scion xA
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,18030 MPG−$1,650
6
Ford Escape
Hybrid · 2.3 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Hybrid
$2,25029 MPG−$1,580
6
Hyundai Accent
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,25029 MPG−$1,580
6
Kia Rio
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,25029 MPG−$1,580
6
Pontiac Vibe
1.8 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,25029 MPG−$1,580
6
Toyota Matrix
1.8 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,25029 MPG−$1,580
11
Scion xB
1.5 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,33028 MPG−$1,500
12
Lexus RX
400h · 3.3 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Hybrid
$2,42027 MPG−$1,410
12
Mazda Mazda3
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,42027 MPG−$1,410
12
Mazda Tribute
Hybrid · 2.3 L
Standard SUVs · Hybrid
$2,42027 MPG−$1,410
12
Mercury Mariner
Hybrid · 2.3 L
Standard SUVs · Hybrid
$2,42027 MPG−$1,410
12
Nissan Sentra
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,42027 MPG−$1,410
12
Toyota Highlander
Hybrid · 3.3 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Hybrid
$2,42027 MPG−$1,410
18
Acura RSX
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,320
18
Chevrolet Aveo
5 · 1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,320
18
Ford Focus
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,320
18
Honda Accord
2.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,320
18
Hyundai Elantra
2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,320
18
Mitsubishi Lancer
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,320
18
Pontiac Wave
5 · 1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,320
18
Saturn Ion
2.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,320
18
Suzuki Swift
x · 1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,320
27
Chevrolet Cobalt
2.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,220
27
Hyundai Sonata
2.4 L · FWD
Large cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,220
27
Kia Optima
(2006 New Model) · 2.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,220
27
Kia Spectra
2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,220
27
Toyota Camry
2.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,220
32
Chevrolet Malibu
2.2 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$1,110
32
Ford Fusion
2.3 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$1,110
32
Mazda Mazda6
2.3 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$1,110
32
Mercury Milan
2.3 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$1,110
32
Nissan Altima
2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$1,110
32
Pontiac G6
2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$1,110
32
Suzuki Aerio
2.3 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$1,110
32
Toyota RAV4
2.4 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$1,110
32
Volkswagen Golf / GTI
Golf · 2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$1,110
41
Volkswagen Beetle
New Beetle · 1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Diesel
$2,78034 MPG−$1,050
42
Chevrolet HHR
2.2 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$990
42
Chevrolet Optra
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$990
42
Ford Ranger
Pickup · 2.3 L · RWD
Standard pickups · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$990
42
Honda CR-V
2.4 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$990
42
Hyundai Tiburon
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$990
42
Mazda B Pickup
B2300 · 2.3 L · RWD
Standard pickups · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$990
42
Mitsubishi Eclipse
2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$990
42
Mitsubishi Galant
2.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$990
42
Saturn Vue
2.2 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$990

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 2006 vehicle is the cheapest to fuel?

The cheapest 2006 vehicle to fuel is the Honda Insight (1.0 L · FWD) at about $1,260 a year, $2,570 less than the median vehicle ($3,830) among the 290 vehicles ranked.

How many vehicles are ranked for 2006?

290 models qualify, one row each. The median is $3,830, and the top 10 run from $1,260 to $2,250.

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.

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