Gallonly ES
  • Fuel cost
  • MY2015

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2015

The cheapest 2015 vehicle to fuel is the BMW i3 (BEV · RWD) at about $740 a year, $2,310 less than the median vehicle ($3,050) among the 294 vehicles ranked.

The top 10 run from $740 to $1,100. 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

$740/yr

BMW i3

Median model

$3,050/yr

294 models

Top-10 median

$840/yr

Models ranked

294

one row per model

Full ranking

Showing the top 50 of 294 models. Every column is sortable.

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2015: top 50 of 294 models
1
BMW i3
BEV · RWD
Small cars · Electric
$740124 MPGe−$2,310
2
Chevrolet Spark
EV · FWD
Small cars · Electric
$780119 MPGe−$2,270
3
Fiat 500e
FWD
Small cars · Electric
$800116 MPGe−$2,250
3
Volkswagen Golf / GTI
e-Golf · FWD
Small cars · Electric
$800116 MPGe−$2,250
5
Nissan Leaf
FWD
Midsize cars · Electric
$810114 MPGe−$2,240
6
smart fortwo
electric drive convertible · RWD
Two-seaters · Electric
$870107 MPGe−$2,180
7
Ford Focus
Electric · FWD
Small cars · Electric
$880105 MPGe−$2,170
7
Kia Soul
Electric · FWD
Wagons · Electric
$880105 MPGe−$2,170
9
Tesla Model S
- 70D · AWD
Large cars · Electric
$910101 MPGe−$2,140
10
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive
FWD
Midsize cars · Electric
$1,10084 MPGe−$1,950
11
Toyota Prius
Plug-in Hybrid · 1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Plug-in hybrid
$1,20050 MPG−$1,850
12
Toyota Prius c
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,32050 MPG−$1,730
13
Chevrolet Volt
1.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Plug-in hybrid · Premium fuel
$1,37037 MPG−$1,680
14
Ford C-MAX
Energi Plug-in Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Large cars · Plug-in hybrid
$1,39038 MPG−$1,660
14
Ford Fusion
Energi Plug-in Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Plug-in hybrid
$1,39038 MPG−$1,660
16
Honda Accord
Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,40047 MPG−$1,650
17
Honda Civic
Hybrid · 1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,49044 MPG−$1,560
18
Lexus CT
200h · 1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,56042 MPG−$1,490
19
Cadillac ELR
1.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Plug-in hybrid · Premium fuel
$1,58033 MPG−$1,470
20
Toyota Prius v
1.8 L · FWD
Wagons · Hybrid
$1,60041 MPG−$1,450
21
Lincoln MKZ
Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,63040 MPG−$1,420
21
Toyota Camry
Hybrid LE · 2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,63040 MPG−$1,420
23
Lexus ES
300h · 2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,65040 MPG−$1,400
23
Toyota Avalon
Hybrid · 2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,65040 MPG−$1,400
25
Mitsubishi Mirage
1.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,68039 MPG−$1,370
26
Hyundai Sonata
Hybrid · 2.4 L · FWD
Large cars · Hybrid
$1,78037 MPG−$1,270
26
Kia Optima
Hybrid · 2.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,78037 MPG−$1,270
26
Scion iQ
1.3 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,78037 MPG−$1,270
29
Honda CR-Z
1.5 L · FWD
Two-seaters · Hybrid
$1,79036 MPG−$1,260
30
Honda Fit
1.5 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$1,81036 MPG−$1,240
31
Volkswagen Jetta
Hybrid · 1.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid · Premium fuel
$1,82044 MPG−$1,230
32
Ford Fiesta
SFE · 1.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,87035 MPG−$1,180
33
Nissan Versa
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,92034 MPG−$1,130
34
Toyota Corolla
LE Eco · 1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$1,93034 MPG−$1,120
35
Mazda Mazda3
4-Door · 2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,95033 MPG−$1,100
36
Nissan Sentra
FE · 1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$1,96033 MPG−$1,090
37
Toyota Yaris
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,00033 MPG−$1,050
38
Chevrolet Cruze
Eco · 1.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,01032 MPG−$1,040
39
Lexus NX
300h · 2.5 L · FWD
Small SUVs · Hybrid
$2,02032 MPG−$1,030
40
Chevrolet Sonic
1.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,03032 MPG−$1,020
41
Mazda Mazda6
2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,06032 MPG−$990
42
Hyundai Elantra
1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,11031 MPG−$940
42
Subaru Crosstrek
XV Crosstrek Hybrid · 2.0 L · AWD
Small SUVs · Hybrid
$2,11031 MPG−$940
44
Hyundai Accent
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,13031 MPG−$920
44
Kia Rio
Eco · 1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,13031 MPG−$920
44
Nissan Altima
2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,13031 MPG−$920
44
Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport
Impreza · 2.0 L · AWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,13031 MPG−$920
48
Kia Forte
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,16030 MPG−$890
49
Hyundai Veloster
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,17030 MPG−$880
50
Subaru Legacy/Outback
Legacy · 2.5 L · AWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,22029 MPG−$830

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 2015 vehicle is the cheapest to fuel?

The cheapest 2015 vehicle to fuel is the BMW i3 (BEV · RWD) at about $740 a year, $2,310 less than the median vehicle ($3,050) among the 294 vehicles ranked.

How many vehicles are ranked for 2015?

294 models qualify, one row each. The median is $3,050, and the top 10 run from $740 to $1,100.

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