Most fuel-efficient midsize cars, 2026 model year

For model year 2026 the data rates 31 midsize cars. The most efficient is Tesla Model 3 at 139 combined and the least efficient is BMW M Plug-in hybrid at 14; the middle of the list sits at 30.

That is a spread of 125 from first to last; the leader's rating is 9.9 times the last model's.

The largest step between neighbouring ranks comes after Mercedes-Benz EQE, 4th: the next model, Toyota Prius Hybrid, is 37 lower.

On annual fuel cost under the file's assumptions, Tesla Model 3 is lowest at $550 and BMW M Plug-in hybrid highest at $5,850; the median is $2,500.

By powertrain: Gasoline (14), Hybrid (9), Electric (4), Plug-in hybrid (4).

By make: Audi (4), BMW (3), Lexus (3), Mercedes-Benz (3), 14 more with 18 models in all.

MPGe is used for electric models: it is the electric equivalent of MPG, so the figures are comparable as energy efficiency.

Best combined rating of the most efficient midsize cars for model year 2026.

All 31 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).

Midsize cars ranked by combined rating, model year 2026
Rank	Model	Make	Powertrain	Combined MPG	Annual fuel cost	CO2 g/mile	Versions
1	Tesla Model 3	Tesla	Electric	139	$550	0	5
2	Lexus ES Electric	Lexus	Electric	127	$600	0	4
3	Genesis G80 Electric	Genesis	Electric	96	$800	0	1
4	Mercedes-Benz EQE	Mercedes-Benz	Electric	94	$800	0	6
5	Toyota Prius Hybrid	Toyota	Hybrid	57	$1,200	155	4
6	Hyundai Elantra Hybrid	Hyundai	Hybrid	54	$1,250	165	2
7	Toyota Camry Hybrid	Toyota	Hybrid	51	$1,300	173	5
8	Lexus ES Hybrid	Lexus	Hybrid	46	$1,800	191	2
9	Toyota Crown	Toyota	Hybrid	41	$1,650	214	2
10	Honda Civic	Honda	Gasoline	36	$1,850	248	5
11	Hyundai Elantra	Hyundai	Gasoline	35	$1,900	254	5
12	Kia K4	Kia	Gasoline	33	$2,050	269	5
13	Nissan Sentra	Nissan	Gasoline	33	$2,050	269	3
14	BMW 5 Series Hybrid	BMW	Hybrid	31	$2,650	285	3
15	Mazda 3	Mazda	Gasoline	30	$2,250	294	7
16	Nissan Altima	Nissan	Gasoline	30	$2,250	297	2
17	Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid	Mercedes-Benz	Hybrid	28	$2,950	316	4
18	Volvo S90 Hybrid	Volvo	Hybrid	28	$2,950	318	1
19	Volkswagen Golf/GTI	Volkswagen	Gasoline	27	$2,500	326	2
20	Alfa Romeo Giulia	Alfa Romeo	Gasoline	27	$3,050	330	2
21	Audi A5	Audi	Gasoline	26	$3,150	345	1
22	Cadillac CT5	Cadillac	Gasoline	26	$3,150	346	8
23	BMW 5 Series Plug-in hybrid	BMW	Plug-in hybrid	25	$3,300	133	1
24	Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in hybrid	Mercedes-Benz	Plug-in hybrid	24	$3,400	115	2
25	Audi A6	Audi	Gasoline	23	$3,550	387	1
26	Audi S5	Audi	Gasoline	23	$3,550	386	1
27	Subaru WRX	Subaru	Gasoline	22	$3,750	412	2
28	Lexus LS	Lexus	Gasoline	21	$3,900	434	1
29	Bentley Flying Spur Plug-in hybrid	Bentley	Plug-in hybrid	19	$4,350	161	1
30	Audi RS Hybrid	Audi	Hybrid	16	$5,150	545	2
31	BMW M Plug-in hybrid	BMW	Plug-in hybrid	14	$5,850	264	2

Related rankings

Most efficient gasoline midsize cars, 2026 models (14 models)
Most efficient hybrid midsize cars, 2026 models (9 models)

Head-to-head comparisons

Each model is shown with its most efficient rated version. How the figures are prepared: methods and data.