Regan Brown
When it comes to cars with poor fuel economy, sports cars and luxury vehicles are often the worst offenders. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US releases an annual list of the Least Efficient Cars by EPA Size Class, which is dominated by high-performance sports cars and luxury vehicles from brands like Bugatti, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce. These cars may offer a thrilling driving experience or opulent comforts, but they come at a cost—both financially and environmentally. While some may be willing to overlook fuel economy for the pleasure of driving their dream car, with the world warming up, it is important to consider the impact of these gas-guzzlers.
Characteristics of cars that are bad on fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Car Make/Model | Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport, Bugatti Divo, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari GTC4Lusso, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Bowler Defender, RX8, 1992 600SEL, Geo XFi, S320 LWB, V10 Excursion Limited, Mitsubishi Mirage, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Versa |
| MPG Rating | 8 mpg, 9 mpg, 14 mpg, 13 mpg, N/A, 14 mpg, N/A, 17.5 mpg, 14 mpg, 8-12 mpg, N/A, N/A, 36/43/39 mpg, 33/42/36 mpg, 32/41/36 mpg, 32/40/35 mpg |
| Price | $73,095, $30,295-$100,000s, $100,000s, $250,000, $30,295, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, Under $18,000, N/A, N/A, N/A |
| Horsepower | 760, N/A, 730, 509, N/A, 563, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, 78, N/A, N/A, N/A |
| Torque | 625 lb-ft, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Sports cars
Audi TT
Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder TT is a sleek and powerful sports car. With a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds, it offers impressive acceleration. The base 211-horsepower TT delivers 23 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and up to 31 mpg on the highway. The TT's combination of performance and fuel efficiency makes it a compelling choice for those seeking a sporty driving experience without compromising too much on fuel consumption.
Porsche Boxster and Boxster S
The Porsche Boxster, equipped with a 2.9-liter engine, delivers an impressive 255 horsepower. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds. In terms of fuel efficiency, the Boxster achieves 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The sportier Boxster S model sacrifices a bit of fuel economy for even better performance, with an acceleration time of 4.7 seconds and a fuel efficiency of 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a beloved sports car that proves power isn't everything. With a lightweight design and a small engine, it offers impressive fuel economy. The Miata achieves a combined fuel efficiency of 30 mpg with the six-speed automatic gearbox. Even with a manual transmission, it still delivers competitive fuel efficiency, with figures of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z, also known as the "Fairlady Z," is a powerful sports car with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that produces 332 horsepower. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. While it may not be the most fuel-efficient sports car, it still manages to deliver 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which is respectable for a car in its class.
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4, a factory turbocharged sports car, offers a combination of luxury, performance, and fuel efficiency. It achieves a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg, making it a more economical choice for those seeking a sporty and luxurious driving experience.
It's important to note that driving conditions, driving style, and other factors can influence the actual fuel efficiency experienced by owners of these sports cars. Additionally, advancements in powertrain technologies and transmission systems are contributing to the development of sports cars with improved fuel efficiency.
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Luxury cars
While luxury cars are not typically known for their fuel efficiency, some models stand out as particularly poor performers when it comes to fuel economy. Here are some examples of luxury cars that are considered to be "gas guzzlers":
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is an ultra-luxurious SUV with a price tag to match. With a base price of over $320,000, the Cullinan offers unparalleled opulence and is considered the pinnacle of the Rolls-Royce lineup. While it boasts a powerful engine and exceptional performance, its fuel efficiency is likely to be a trade-off for buyers.
BMW 8-Series
The BMW 8-Series is another expensive offering from the German automaker. While it may not be considered a bargain, it also doesn't have a reputation for being a particularly poor value. The 8-Series is known for its high-performance powertrain and luxurious features, but its fuel economy is not one of its strong suits.
Bentley Continental
Bentley is renowned as an ultra-luxury automotive brand, and the Continental lives up to that reputation. This car strives to offer buyers the ultimate in luxury, but it may also demand a lot from its owners when it comes to fuelling up.
Volvo S60
The Volvo S60 is a cozy sedan that leans more towards a luxury experience than a sporty one. While it offers a comfortable ride and smooth handling, its fuel economy is good but not exceptional. For the best fuel efficiency, buyers should opt for the front-wheel-drive model.
It's worth noting that advancements in technology and a focus on sustainability have led luxury car brands to strive for better fuel economy. As a result, there are now some fuel-efficient luxury vehicles available, such as the Lexus ES Hybrid and the BMW 2 Series, which offer a more balanced combination of performance and fuel efficiency.
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SUVs
When shopping for a new car, vehicle efficiency is one of the most important factors to consider. While most modern vehicles are far more fuel-efficient than older models, some models still outperform others.
Some of the worst offenders in terms of fuel efficiency include the Mercedes-Benz G550, a military-style SUV with a combined city and highway driving rating of 11 miles per gallon, and the multi-million-dollar Bugatti Chiron, which gets a mere 9 miles per gallon in the city and 14 mpg on the highway. Other low-mileage SUVs include the Lamborghini Aventador (11 mpg), Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (14 mpg), Toyota Sequoia (14 mpg), and the mud-tire-equipped Chevy Silverado (14 mpg).
If you're in the market for an SUV, it's essential to do your research and look for models that offer good fuel mileage. Some things to keep in mind to improve gas mileage include avoiding unnecessary idling, heavy acceleration, and lowering cruising speeds, especially on the highway.
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Sedans
When it comes to sedans, several factors determine fuel efficiency, such as engine size, transmission type, and driving habits. Here is a list of sedans known for their relatively poor fuel economy:
Rolls-Royce Ghost and Wraith
The Rolls-Royce Ghost, equipped with a 6.7-liter V12 engine, has a combined fuel economy rating of only 14 mpg, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Wraith, a sedan based on the Ghost platform, offers similar levels of poor fuel efficiency despite its shorter wheelbase.
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport
The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport, with its 1500 horsepower engine, achieves a meager 8 mpg in city driving conditions, making it one of the least fuel-efficient cars on the market.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, marketed as the "most powerful and fastest Mustang ever", offers incredible performance with 760 horsepower. However, it comes at the cost of fuel efficiency, with a starting price of $73,095.
Now, let's shift our focus to some sedans that are known for their impressive fuel efficiency:
Toyota Corolla (2024-2026)
The Toyota Corolla, with its gas-only and hybrid variants, stands out for its reliability and efficiency. The gas-only sedan and hatchback models are powered by a 169-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and offer a combined fuel economy of up to 35 mpg. The Corolla Hybrid, with its 1.8-liter engine and two electric motors, boasts an impressive 50 mpg combined rating.
Honda Civic (2024-2025)
The Honda Civic, available in both sedan and hatchback styles, offers excellent fuel efficiency. The 2024 Civic, with its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and CVT transmission, achieves up to 36 mpg combined. The 2025 model year further improves upon this, solidifying the Honda Civic as a top choice among compact cars.
Nissan Versa (2025)
The Nissan Versa, the least expensive new car in America for 2025, delivers impressive gas mileage. While its exact fuel economy figures are not mentioned, it is praised for its combination of low price and high fuel efficiency.
Lexus ES (2025)
The Lexus ES, a luxury midsize sedan, offers a blend of upscale features and reasonable fuel economy. The ES 250's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine manages up to 28 mpg on the combined cycle. The Lexus ES Hybrid, with its combination of a 2.5-liter engine and electric motors, further enhances fuel efficiency without compromising on luxury.
Kia K5 GT (2025)
The Kia K5 GT, a mechanically-tuned sedan, boasts impressive acceleration and fuel economy. With a sticker price of $33,000, it offers a powerful engine, upgraded brakes, and sport-tuned suspension, making it a fun yet frugal choice.
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Pickup trucks
The 2024 Ford Ranger, for example, is a midsize pickup that offers excellent value for money. It has a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine that delivers 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine option provides a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, with up to 24 mpg in mixed driving situations.
The 2025 Ram 1500 HFE also has decent highway economy numbers, with 26 mpg, which is better than the F-150 Hybrid. However, its V-6 engine struggles in city driving, delivering only 20 mpg due to the engine working harder to move a heavier vehicle.
The 2025 Ford F-150 has good fuel economy, especially when paired with the base powertrain and the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine.
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma is another midsize truck option that is available as a hybrid, offering good fuel efficiency.
For those looking for a compact pickup truck, the 2025 Ford Maverick is a great choice. It has a hybrid drivetrain option and is easy to drive. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is another stylish and comfortable compact pickup option.
On the other hand, the 2021 Toyota Tundra has poor fuel efficiency, with a rating of only 1/5 and an average of 15 mpg. The 2021 Ram 1500 and the 2021 Ford F-250 also have poor fuel economy ratings of 1.
For small pickup trucks, the Nissan Frontier 4WD has the worst gas mileage, with a 4.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine that averages 17 miles per gallon.
While pickup trucks may not be the most fuel-efficient vehicles, some options offer better fuel economy than others, helping you save money and reduce your environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Sports cars, luxury cars, and SUVs are generally bad on fuel. Brands like Bugatti, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce are known for their poor fuel economy. For example, the Bugatti Chiron gets 8 mpg in the city, while the Bugatti Divo gets 9 mpg. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 are also fuel guzzlers.
Yes, some cars are worth the poor fuel economy because of their driving experience or other features. For example, the 2024 Cadillac CT5 V, the 2024 Audi RS Q8, and the 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 are all noted for their performance and design despite their low fuel efficiency.
Yes, there are several alternatives to fuel-inefficient cars, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles, which can provide better fuel economy and reduce environmental impact.
