Most efficient gasoline compact cars, 2026 model year
9 gasoline compact cars are rated for model year 2026. Their best combined ratings run from 12 to 35 MPG, with a median of 26. Toyota Corolla leads at 35; Ferrari Purosangue is last at 12.
The leader gets 2.9 times the combined rating of the model at the bottom, a spread of 23 MPG.
The largest step between neighbouring ranks comes after Lexus IS, 8th: the next model, Ferrari Purosangue, is 10 MPG lower.
On annual fuel cost under the file's assumptions, Toyota Corolla is lowest at $1,900 and Ferrari Purosangue highest at $6,850; the median is $3,150.
By make: Volkswagen (2), Cadillac (1), Ferrari (1), Genesis (1), 4 more with 4 models in all.
All 9 models ranked
Annual fuel cost in the file is based on 15,000 miles a year, 55% city and 45% highway driving, and the fuel prices that fueleconomy.gov published at the time of the release (the same prices for every model year).
| Rank | Model | Make | Combined MPG | Annual fuel cost | CO2 g/mile | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Corolla | Toyota | 35 | $1,900 | 254 | 8 |
| 2 | Volkswagen Jetta | Volkswagen | 34 | $1,950 | 265 | 2 |
| 3 | Mini Cooper | Mini | 32 | $2,550 | 276 | 1 |
| 4 | Volkswagen GLI | Volkswagen | 29 | $2,300 | 307 | 2 |
| 5 | Cadillac CT4 | Cadillac | 26 | $3,150 | 345 | 8 |
| 6 | Genesis G70 | Genesis | 24 | $3,400 | 373 | 4 |
| 7 | Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class | Mercedes-Benz | 23 | $3,550 | 379 | 1 |
| 8 | Lexus IS | Lexus | 22 | $3,750 | 408 | 2 |
| 9 | Ferrari Purosangue | Ferrari | 12 | $6,850 | 711 | 1 |
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Head-to-head comparisons
Each model is shown with its most efficient rated version. How the figures are prepared: methods and data.