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  • Fuel cost
  • MY2018

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2018

The cheapest 2018 vehicle to fuel is the Hyundai Ioniq (Electric · FWD) at about $690 a year, $2,240 less than the median vehicle ($2,930) among the 297 vehicles ranked.

The top 10 run from $690 to $860. 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

$690/yr

Hyundai Ioniq

Median model

$2,930/yr

297 models

Top-10 median

$800/yr

Models ranked

297

one row per model

Full ranking

Showing the top 50 of 297 models. Every column is sortable.

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2018: top 50 of 297 models
1
Hyundai Ioniq
Electric · FWD
Large cars · Electric
$690136 MPGe−$2,240
2
Tesla Model 3
Long Range · RWD
Midsize cars · Electric
$710130 MPGe−$2,220
3
Chevrolet Bolt EV
FWD
Wagons · Electric
$780119 MPGe−$2,150
3
Volkswagen Golf / GTI
e-Golf · FWD
Small cars · Electric
$780119 MPGe−$2,150
5
BMW i3
(94Ah) · RWD
Small cars · Electric
$790118 MPGe−$2,140
6
Honda Clarity
EV · FWD
Midsize cars · Electric
$810114 MPGe−$2,120
7
Fiat 500e
FWD
Small cars · Electric
$820112 MPGe−$2,110
7
Nissan Leaf
FWD
Midsize cars · Electric
$820112 MPGe−$2,110
9
smart fortwo
electric drive coupe · RWD
Two-seaters · Electric
$850108 MPGe−$2,080
10
Kia Soul
Electric · FWD
Wagons · Electric
$860108 MPGe−$2,070
10
Ford Focus
Electric · FWD
Small cars · Electric
$860107 MPGe−$2,070
12
Tesla Model S
75D · AWD
Large cars · Electric
$900103 MPGe−$2,030
13
Toyota Prius Prime
1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Plug-in hybrid
$93054 MPG−$2,000
14
Tesla Model X
75D · AWD
Standard SUVs · Electric
$1,00093 MPGe−$1,930
15
Chevrolet Volt
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Plug-in hybrid
$1,02042 MPG−$1,910
16
Kia Niro
Plug-in Hybrid · 1.6 L · FWD
Wagons · Plug-in hybrid
$1,12046 MPG−$1,810
17
Toyota Prius
Eco · 1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,17056 MPG−$1,760
18
Kia Optima
Plug-in Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Large cars · Plug-in hybrid
$1,22040 MPG−$1,710
19
Hyundai Sonata
Plug-in Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Large cars · Plug-in hybrid
$1,25039 MPG−$1,680
20
Toyota Camry
Hybrid LE · 2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,26052 MPG−$1,670
21
Ford Fusion
Energi Plug-in Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Plug-in hybrid
$1,27042 MPG−$1,660
22
BYD e6
FWD
Small SUVs · Electric
$1,28072 MPGe−$1,650
23
Honda Accord
Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Large cars · Hybrid
$1,38047 MPG−$1,550
24
Chevrolet Malibu
Hybrid · 1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,41046 MPG−$1,520
24
Toyota Prius c
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,41046 MPG−$1,520
26
Chrysler Pacifica
Hybrid · 3.6 L · FWD
Minivans · Plug-in hybrid
$1,45032 MPG−$1,480
27
Lincoln MKZ
Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,63040 MPG−$1,300
28
Ford C-MAX
Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Large cars · Hybrid
$1,64040 MPG−$1,290
29
Lexus ES
300h · 2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,65040 MPG−$1,280
29
Toyota Avalon
Hybrid · 2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Hybrid
$1,65040 MPG−$1,280
31
Mitsubishi Mirage
1.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,66039 MPG−$1,270
32
Audi A3
e-tron · 1.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Plug-in hybrid · Premium fuel
$1,78036 MPG−$1,150
33
Honda Fit
1.5 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$1,79036 MPG−$1,140
34
Honda Civic
4Dr · 1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,83036 MPG−$1,100
35
Toyota Yaris
iA · 1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,84035 MPG−$1,090
36
Mazda Mazda2
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,86035 MPG−$1,070
37
Hyundai Elantra
1.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$1,88035 MPG−$1,050
38
Nissan Rogue
Hybrid · 2.0 L · FWD
Small SUVs · Hybrid
$1,90034 MPG−$1,030
39
Nissan Versa
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,91034 MPG−$1,020
40
Toyota Corolla
LE Eco · 1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$1,92034 MPG−$1,010
41
Mitsubishi Outlander
PHEV · 2.0 L · AWD
Small SUVs · Plug-in hybrid
$1,94025 MPG−$990
42
Chevrolet Cruze
1.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$1,96033 MPG−$970
42
Chevrolet Spark
1.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,96033 MPG−$970
44
Nissan Kicks
1.6 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,00033 MPG−$930
44
Volkswagen Jetta
1.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,00033 MPG−$930
46
Nissan Sentra
1.8 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,03032 MPG−$900
46
Toyota RAV4
Hybrid · 2.5 L · AWD
Small SUVs · Hybrid
$2,03032 MPG−$900
48
Kia Forte
2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,04032 MPG−$890
49
Hyundai Accent
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,05032 MPG−$880
49
Kia Rio
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,05032 MPG−$880

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 2018 vehicle is the cheapest to fuel?

The cheapest 2018 vehicle to fuel is the Hyundai Ioniq (Electric · FWD) at about $690 a year, $2,240 less than the median vehicle ($2,930) among the 297 vehicles ranked.

How many vehicles are ranked for 2018?

297 models qualify, one row each. The median is $2,930, and the top 10 run from $690 to $860.

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