How the comparison works
Yearly cost = distance per year ÷ MPG × price per gallon (or distance × L/100 km ÷ 100 × price per litre). The saving is the difference between the two cars, multiplied by the years you expect to keep the car.
Worked example
12,000 miles a year at $3.40: a 22 MPG SUV uses 545 gallons ($1,855); a 35 MPG hybrid uses 343 gallons ($1,166). The hybrid saves $689 a year, or about $3,444 over five years.
Yearly fuel cost by MPG (12,000 miles, $3.40/gal)
| Economy | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| 15 MPG | $2,720 | $227 |
| 20 MPG | $2,040 | $170 |
| 25 MPG | $1,632 | $136 |
| 30 MPG | $1,360 | $113 |
| 35 MPG | $1,166 | $97 |
| 40 MPG | $1,020 | $85 |
| 50 MPG | $816 | $68 |
Look up official figures for US models on our fuel economy pages.
Frequently asked questions
How much does better MPG really save?
It depends on how much you drive. At 12,000 miles a year and $3.40 per gallon, going from 22 to 35 MPG saves about $689 a year — but going from 35 to 48 MPG saves only about $316, because the gains shrink as MPG rises.
Should I compare city, highway or combined MPG?
Use the figure that matches your driving. The EPA combined figure assumes 55 % city and 45 % highway driving; if you mostly commute on the highway, the highway figure is closer.
Does this include electric cars?
This calculator compares liquid fuels. For an EV, use the kWh per 100 miles on its EPA label times your electricity price — our US model pages show both figures.
Is fuel the only cost difference?
No. Purchase price, insurance, tax, maintenance and depreciation often matter more. Fuel savings are easiest to predict, so they are a good starting point for a payback estimate.