Gallonly
  • Fuel cost
  • MY2011

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2011

The cheapest 2011 vehicle to fuel is the BMW Active E (RWD) at about $910 a year, $2,400 less than the median vehicle ($3,310) among the 295 vehicles ranked.

The top 10 run from $910 to $1,720. 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

$910/yr

BMW Active E

Median model

$3,310/yr

295 models

Top-10 median

$1,490/yr

Models ranked

295

one row per model

Full ranking

Showing the top 50 of 295 models. Every column is sortable.

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2011: top 50 of 295 models
1
BMW Active E
RWD
Small cars · Electric
$910102 MPGe−$2,400
2
Nissan Leaf
FWD
Midsize cars · Electric
$93099 MPGe−$2,380
3
smart fortwo
electric drive cabriolet · RWD
Two-seaters · Electric
$1,07087 MPGe−$2,240
4
Toyota Prius
1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,37048 MPG−$1,940
5
Chevrolet Volt
1.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Plug-in hybrid · Premium fuel
$1,41037 MPG−$1,900
6
Lexus CT
200h · 1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,57042 MPG−$1,740
7
Honda Civic
Hybrid · 1.3 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,59041 MPG−$1,720
8
Honda Insight
1.3 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,63040 MPG−$1,680
9
Ford Fusion
Hybrid · 2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,72038 MPG−$1,590
9
Lincoln MKZ
Hybrid · 2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,72038 MPG−$1,590
9
Mercury Milan
Hybrid · 2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,72038 MPG−$1,590
12
Scion iQ
1.3 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,80036 MPG−$1,510
13
Hyundai Sonata
Hybrid · 2.4 L · FWD
Large cars · Hybrid
$1,81036 MPG−$1,500
13
Kia Optima
Hybrid · 2.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,81036 MPG−$1,500
15
Honda CR-Z
1.5 L · FWD
Two-seaters · Hybrid
$1,82036 MPG−$1,490
16
Lexus HS
250h · 2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,93034 MPG−$1,380
17
Nissan Altima
Hybrid · 2.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,97033 MPG−$1,340
18
Ford Fiesta
SFE · 1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,00033 MPG−$1,310
19
Toyota Camry
Hybrid · 2.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$2,01033 MPG−$1,300
20
Chevrolet Cruze
Eco · 1.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,02032 MPG−$1,290
20
Hyundai Elantra
1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,02032 MPG−$1,290
22
Ford Escape
Hybrid · 2.5 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Hybrid
$2,05032 MPG−$1,260
22
Mazda Tribute
Hybrid · 2.5 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Hybrid
$2,05032 MPG−$1,260
22
Mercury Mariner
Hybrid · 2.5 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Hybrid
$2,05032 MPG−$1,260
25
Mazda Mazda2
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,10031 MPG−$1,210
25
Toyota Yaris
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,10031 MPG−$1,210
27
Honda Fit
1.5 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,11031 MPG−$1,200
28
Kia Rio
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,16030 MPG−$1,150
29
Toyota Corolla
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,17030 MPG−$1,140
30
Kia Forte
Eco · 2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,18030 MPG−$1,130
30
Nissan Versa
1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,18030 MPG−$1,130
32
Hyundai Accent
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,19030 MPG−$1,120
33
Chevrolet Aveo
5 · 1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,22029 MPG−$1,090
33
Suzuki Swift
x · 1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,22029 MPG−$1,090
35
Nissan Sentra
2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,24029 MPG−$1,070
36
Scion xD
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,25029 MPG−$1,060
37
Ford Focus
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,28029 MPG−$1,030
38
Toyota Matrix
1.8 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,29029 MPG−$1,020
39
Mitsubishi Lancer
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,32028 MPG−$990
39
Nissan Cube
1.8 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,32028 MPG−$990
41
Kia Soul
1.6 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,33028 MPG−$980
42
Volkswagen Jetta
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,35028 MPG−$960
43
Toyota Highlander
Hybrid · 3.5 L · AWD
Standard SUVs · Hybrid
$2,36028 MPG−$950
44
Mazda Mazda3
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,37028 MPG−$940
44
Suzuki SX4
Sedan · 2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,37028 MPG−$940
46
Dodge Caliber
2.0 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,45027 MPG−$860
46
Mitsubishi Outlander
Sport · 2.0 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Gas
$2,45027 MPG−$860
48
Volkswagen Golf / GTI
Golf · 2.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,47027 MPG−$840
48
Honda Accord
2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,47026 MPG−$840
50
Suzuki Kizashi
S · 2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,50026 MPG−$810

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 2011 vehicle is the cheapest to fuel?

The cheapest 2011 vehicle to fuel is the BMW Active E (RWD) at about $910 a year, $2,400 less than the median vehicle ($3,310) among the 295 vehicles ranked.

How many vehicles are ranked for 2011?

295 models qualify, one row each. The median is $3,310, and the top 10 run from $910 to $1,720.

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