10 cheapest gas-powered cars to drive in the USA

Ten cars with the lowest gas costs per mile

Fuel prices are reaching record levels, with the cost of gasoline and diesel making drivers across the United States think carefully about how much they spend on refueling.

Automotive research website Rerev has analyzed which are the cheapest cars to fill with fuel right now, and examined the year-on-year changes.

Rerev’s assumption is based on a driver covering 15,000 miles at a gas price of $4.10 per gallon. This is naturally a volatile figure, however – and one that can vary across the country.

Here are the 10 cars that should be the cheapest to fill with gasoline in the United States right now.

Methodology

The research by Rerev was focused on fuel economy, but also saw other factors such as safety and reliability considered.

Some of the most popular new and used cars and SUVs, across 13 brands and including those with gasoline and hybrid power, formed part of the initial sample. Electric vehicles were excluded from the study.

Fuel economy data is the basis for the ranking, but Rerev also looked at safety data, reliability, seating capacity, and repair costs.

The top 10 vehicles were ranked based on their gas mileage, resulting in a list comprising the cars that should be the cheapest to keep fueled, even if prices continue to climb.

That said, the figures quoted here are best seen as a guide, rather than as being definitive.

10. Kia Forte

The first car in the top 10 is the third generation of the Kia Forte compact sedan, sold between 2018 and 2024.

Although the Forte wasn’t especially exciting, it offered a strong safety rating, plenty of standard equipment, and a comprehensive warranty lasting five years of 60,000 miles.

In sedan form, the Kia Forte boasts a rollover risk rating of 10.7 percent, whilst also scoring four stars out of five for frontal crash protection.

10. Kia Forte

When launched in 2018, the third-generation Kia Forte came equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. This makes use of the Atkinson cycle for greater efficiency.

Used across a number of Kia and Hyundai models, the 2.0-liter engine produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque.

When fitted to the Forte, it returned 32 mpg during the official EPA combined test cycle. This should mean an annual fuel cost of $1,922 for a driver covering 15,000 miles, or $12.81 for every 100 miles driven.

9. Hyundai Sonata

The mid-size sedan sector may be shrinking due to the ever-growing popularity of SUVs, but opting for a four-door can potentially save money.

In eighth-generation form, the Hyundai Sonata boasts a particularly striking design that sets it apart from more mundane rivals.

An upmarket-looking interior, combined with plenty of space for passengers and luggage, equates to good value for money. Standard equipment levels are strong, too.

9. Hyundai Sonata

Like with the Kia Forte, the eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata offers a combined gas mileage of 32 mpg.

This is based on models equipped with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers 178 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard.

For those covering an average of 15,000 miles, the Sonata should also deliver an annual fuel cost of $1,922 – albeit with considerably more interior space than a Kia Forte.

8. Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, and it remains one of the top choices for those who want a sedan with added driver engagement.

In 10th-generation form, as pictured here, Honda sold more than 200,000 examples of the Accord to customers in the United States during 2021 alone.

A full five-star frontal crash rating, along with low average repair costs of $400, also makes the Accord an appealing used choice.

8. Honda Accord

This 10th-generation Accord came equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine in base form, offered with either a six-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic.

When equipped with the auto option, the Accord can average a combined gas mileage of 32 mpg.

As a result, on the same 15,000 annual mileage, fuelling the Honda sedan should cost $1,922. Unless gas prices rise even higher, that is…

7. Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta represents the only German-branded car to make Rerev’s top 10 list. Nonetheless, across seven generations and millions of sales, the compact sedan has become an institution.

In its latest incarnation, the seventh-generation Jetta offers inoffensive styling, a smooth driving experience, and a solidly built interior.

For those who want more excitement, the Jetta GLI provides greater performance, and has recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

7. Volkswagen Jetta

Choosing the Volkswagen Jetta GLI and its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine looks less sensible when it comes to economy, though. Instead, opting for the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine should deliver the best gas mileage.

Thus equipped, the Jetta sedan manages an official combined figure of 34 mpg.

This equates to $1,809 a year when covering 15,000 miles, based upon Rerev’s latest study.

6. Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra is one of the most affordable new cars to buy in the United States, proving good value even before anything else is taken into account.

Yes, the driving experience is rather dull, but the Sentra delivers dependable transport, along with a bold exterior design, and plenty of standard safety equipment in eighth-generation form.

Across the past two years, more than 300,000 examples of the Sentra have been sold in the United States alone, suggesting just how much appeal its low prices have.

6. Nissan Sentra

Every version of the eighth-generation Nissan Sentra for the United States came fitted with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, along with a CVT automatic transmission.

Drive the Sentra sensibly, which is perhaps best given its noisy powertrain, and it can achieve an official combined gas mileage of 34 mpg. Just like the Volkswagen Jetta, in fact.

Taking this into account, putting gas into the Nissan Sentra should cost the same $1,809 when averaging 15,000 miles over the course of a year.

At current gas prices, however, this is still $406 more expensive than it would have been 12 months ago.

5. Toyota Corolla

Toyota’s Corolla remains the best-selling automobile nameplate of all time, with an incredible 54 million examples sold since the first model was produced in 1966.

In 12th-generation guise, the Corolla continues to deliver the traits that have made it a long-lasting bestseller: among them mechanical reliability and predictable driving manners.

There is a high-performance Toyota GR Corolla hatchback, complete with a 300 horsepower turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. However, as impressive as its power and poise might be, the flagship GR Corolla inevitably suffers when it comes to affordability.

5. Toyota Corolla

When analyzing the costs of fuelling a Toyota Corolla, the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder is the engine of choice.

With 169 horsepower, it makes the compact sedan feel more sedate than sporty, but this has long been a core Corolla characteristic. A standard CVT automatic transmission underlines the point.

Like the Nissan Sentra and Volkswagen Jetta, it also manages to deliver a combined gas mileage of 34 mpg when equipped with the 2.0-liter engine – good for an annual fuel bill of $1,809.

The Corolla boasts lower average repair costs than the Sentra or Jetta, however, along with a full five-star NHTSA safety rating.

4. Nissan Versa

Production of the third-generation Nissan Versa sedan ended in December 2025, although the sub-compact model continues to be sold in other markets around the world.

Like many of the vehicles on this list, the Versa will never set hearts alight with excitement. However, it’s a faithful option for commuting and everyday errands.

Three trim levels were offered for this third-generation Versa, launched in 2020, with a 7.0-inch central touchscreen, cruise control, and smartphone connectivity included on all versions.

4. Nissan Versa

All Nissan Versas made use of a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which served up 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. Performance is modest, but the Versa was designed with maximum affordability in mind.

A five-speed manual transmission was fitted to the base model, but resulted in poorer fuel economy than models with the CVT automatic. The latter was the version picked by Rerev for this analysis, and sees the Versa return a combined 35 mpg.

Driving 15,000 miles across the course of a year would see the Versa cost $1,757 to fill with gasoline. This is equivalent to $11.71 for every 100 miles driven.

Try not to think about the fact that fuelling a Versa is $394 more expensive than it would have been a year ago.

3. Hyundai Elantra

With its wedgy styling, the latest Hyundai Elantra sedan certainly makes a statement on the street. This seventh-generation model brought a comprehensive overhaul for the 2021 model year, including a distinctive makeover for the compact sedan.

Interior space was strong compared to contemporary rivals such as the Volkswagen Jetta and Nissan Sentra. And the Elantra’s dashboard design was almost as dramatic as its exterior.

3. Hyundai Elantra

When fitted with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder gasoline engine, the Hyundai Elantra delivers 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This is the same engine found in the Kia Forte, which means it uses the more efficient Atkinson combustion cycle.

Based on official EPA combined tests, the Elantra averages 35 mpg across city and highway driving.

For covering 15,000 miles per year, this equates to an annual fuel bill of $1,757: a hefty $394 more than in 2025.

The Elantra also boasts lower repair costs than many vehicles on this list, with an average of $452.

2. Hyundai Accent

Another Hyundai takes second place on the podium, with the short-lived fifth-generation Accent earning the silver medal.

Sold from the 2018 model year through to 2022, the Accent was effectively replaced in Hyundai’s North American lineup by the Venue SUV.

When new, the Accent was one of the cheapest cars to buy in the United States. It majored on an uncomplicated driving experience, with an interior that was comfortable and easy to use.

2. Hyundai Accent

Sticking with the no-nonsense formula, all versions of the fifth-generation Hyundai Accent sold in the United States featured a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine.

With 120 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque, matched with a CVT automatic gearbox, it gave the Accent performance in the ‘slow and steady’ category.

The benefit of taking it easy is an official EPA combined figure of 36 mpg, with up to 41 mpg on the highway. Across a year and 15,000 miles, it could see charging the Accent costing $1,708, or $11.39 every 100 miles.

1. Mitsubishi Mirage

Now discontinued, the Mitsubishi Mirage was one of the smallest cars available to buy in North America.

With a featherlight curb weight, and dimensions aimed at markets with much narrower roads, hitting the road behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Mirage involves a certain level of commitment to saving fuel and money.

First launched in 2012, the sixth-generation Mirage underwent two major facelifts before Mitsubishi called time on production for the US market in 2024.

1. Mitsubishi Mirage

Motivating the Mitsubishi Mirage was a diminutive 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine with just 76 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. A manual five-speed transmission was available, but the best fuel economy comes with the CVT automatic.

With the Mirage’s lightweight construction and surprisingly aerodynamic design, the result is an EPA combined fuel economy figure of 39 mpg. Should you feel brave enough, this peaks at 43 mpg on the highway.

Covering 15,000 miles a year would see a Mirage owner spend just $1,577 on fuel, or $10.51 for every 100 miles. The Mirage G4 sedan will cost slightly more, with its average of 37 mpg, but still beats any other vehicle on this list.

So, for those looking for the cheapest gasoline-powered car to drive right now, the Mitsubishi Mirage is the winner.