Fuel Economy Statistics: What the EPA Ratings Show
Adding all-wheel or four-wheel drive costs a median 1 MPG (4.6%) compared with the same model in two-wheel drive, based on 422 matched pairs in the U.S. EPA fuel economy ratings for model years 2024 to 2026. Below are the same kind of numbers for hybrids, diesel, 30 MPG and electric vehicles, all computed from the EPA file.
Last updated October 2, 2026. EPA data file dated October 1, 2026.
Key Findings
- AWD or 4WD: a median 1 MPG lost, and 92.7% of pairs land within 2 MPG.
- Full hybrids: a median 11 MPG (42.9%) better than the gas version. Mild hybrids show no consistent gain.
- Diesel: a median 34.3% better than gas, though only GM full-size trucks and SUVs offer both.
- 30 MPG: only 10.6% of 2026 gas-only versions reach it. The median is 21 MPG.
- EVs: a median 37.1 kWh per 100 miles, or 2.69 miles per kWh, charging losses included.
How Much MPG Does AWD Cost?
All-wheel or four-wheel drive costs a median 1 MPG, or 4.6%, of the combined rating. That comes from 422 pairs where the EPA rated the same model, engine and transmission both ways in the same year.
The penalty is small and consistent: 92.7% of pairs are within 2 MPG of each other. Systems the EPA lists as all-wheel drive cost a median 4.2%. Four-wheel drive, found mostly on pickups and truck-based SUVs in these pairs, costs 5.0%. Whether you engage AWD while driving is a separate question; these are the official ratings for each version as sold.
How Much Better Do Hybrids Do?
A full hybrid gets a median 11 MPG more than the gas version of the same model, a gain of 42.9%. That's based on 109 pairs across 33 models.
Most of the gain shows up in town. The median city rating rises 61.1%, against 18.5% on the highway, because hybrids recover energy when braking and can creep along on the electric motor.
Mild hybrids are a different story. They use a small 48-volt system to help the engine, and the results are all over the place. Of 42 pairs, the mild hybrid is rated higher in 22 and lower in 17, and the middle half of pairs runs from -4.8% to +20.4%. Part of the reason is that the mild hybrid version often has a different engine. The EPA file lists them as hybrids too, and they make up 57.8% of the 2026 versions labeled Hybrid, so check the engine description before you assume a big MPG jump.
How Much Better Is Diesel?
Where a model is sold with both engines, the diesel version is rated a median 34.3% higher than the gas version. That's a narrow sample: every light-duty gas and diesel pair from 2024 to 2026 is a GM full-size pickup or SUV, 32 pairs across 6 models.
Better MPG doesn't automatically mean lower fuel cost, since diesel and gas are priced differently. The vehicle fuel cost comparison works it out with your own prices.
Is 30 MPG Good?
For a gas-only vehicle, yes. Just 10.6% of 2026 gas-only versions are rated 30 MPG combined or better, and the median is 21 MPG. Counting hybrids and diesels, 17.3% reach 30, and among full hybrids it's 74.2%.
These count every version the EPA lists, including many performance and luxury trims, so they aren't what the average buyer drives. For that, the EPA's sales-weighted, real-world average for new vehicles is 27.2 MPG for model year 2024. Size matters too:
| Class | Median MPG | Versions, share at 30+ |
|---|---|---|
| Small SUV | 25 | 191 versions, 22.0% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Full-size SUV | 20 | 188 versions, 3.7% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Full-size pickup | 19 | 99 versions, 0.0% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Midsize car | 28 | 67 versions, 47.8% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Compact car | 29 | 59 versions, 40.7% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Subcompact car | 24 | 52 versions, 17.3% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Large car | 24 | 43 versions, 27.9% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Two-seater | 18 | 34 versions, 0.0% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Minicompact car | 20 | 29 versions, 10.3% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Small wagon | 27.5 | 18 versions, 22.2% rated 30 MPG or better |
| Midsize pickup | 23 | 15 versions, 20.0% rated 30 MPG or better |
How Many Miles per kWh Do EVs Get?
The median 2026 EV version uses 37.1 kWh per 100 miles, which works out to 2.69 miles per kWh. Only 28.0% of versions reach 3 miles per kWh, and 1.2% reach 4.
That's lower than the 3 to 4 miles per kWh you'll often see quoted, for two reasons. The EPA measures from the wall outlet, so its ratings include charging losses (F23), and figures that leave those losses out will read higher. The list also includes many heavy, powerful trims. The range is wide: from 23.1 kWh per 100 miles for the Lucid Air Pure RWD with 19 inch wheels to 66.5 for the Bugatti Rimac Nevera R.
| Class | Miles per kWh | Versions |
|---|
MPGe uses the EPA's figure of 33.7 kWh per gallon of gasoline, so you can convert either way: 100 miles divided by kWh per 100 miles gives miles per kWh.
All Figures and Sources
Each row has its own link (for example fuel-economy-statistics.html#F7), so you can point to one exact figure.
| ID | Figure | Value | Scope | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Median combined MPG lost when a model adds AWD or 4WD | 1 MPG | 422 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F2 | Median percent of combined MPG lost with AWD or 4WD | 4.6% | 422 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F3 | Share of AWD and 4WD pairs within 2 MPG of the two-wheel-drive version | 92.7% | 422 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F4 | Median percent lost, all-wheel drive only | 4.2% | 279 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F5 | Median percent lost, four-wheel drive only | 5.0% | 144 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F6 | Median combined MPG gained by a model's full hybrid version | 11 MPG | 109 matched pairs across 33 models, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F7 | Median percent of combined MPG gained by the full hybrid version | 42.9% | 109 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F8 | Median percent of city MPG gained by the full hybrid version | 61.1% | 109 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F9 | Median percent of highway MPG gained by the full hybrid version | 18.5% | 109 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F10 | Mild hybrid pairs where the mild hybrid version is rated higher than the gas version | 22 pairs | 42 matched pairs across 18 models, model years 2024 to 2026; 17 rated lower, 3 the same | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F10b | Mild hybrid pairs where the mild hybrid version is rated lower than the gas version | 17 pairs | 42 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F10c | Middle half of mild hybrid pairs, percent change in combined MPG (lower bound) | -4.8% | 42 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F10d | Middle half of mild hybrid pairs, percent change in combined MPG (upper bound) | 20.4% | 42 matched pairs, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F11 | Share of 2026 versions labeled Hybrid in the EPA file that are mild hybrids | 57.8% | 133 of 230 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F12 | Median percent of combined MPG gained by the diesel version | 34.3% | 32 matched pairs across 6 models, model years 2024 to 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F13 | Share of 2026 gas-only versions rated 30 MPG combined or better | 10.6% | 60 of 567 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F14 | Median combined rating of 2026 gas-only versions | 21 MPG | 567 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F15 | Share of all 2026 gas, hybrid and diesel versions rated 30 MPG or better | 17.3% | 141 of 815 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F16 | Share of 2026 full hybrid versions rated 30 MPG or better | 74.2% | 97 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17a | Median combined MPG of 2026 small SUV versions | 25 MPG | 191 versions, model year 2026, 22.0% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17b | Median combined MPG of 2026 full-size SUV versions | 20 MPG | 188 versions, model year 2026, 3.7% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17c | Median combined MPG of 2026 full-size pickup versions | 19 MPG | 99 versions, model year 2026, 0.0% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17d | Median combined MPG of 2026 midsize car versions | 28 MPG | 67 versions, model year 2026, 47.8% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17e | Median combined MPG of 2026 compact car versions | 29 MPG | 59 versions, model year 2026, 40.7% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17f | Median combined MPG of 2026 subcompact car versions | 24 MPG | 52 versions, model year 2026, 17.3% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17g | Median combined MPG of 2026 large car versions | 24 MPG | 43 versions, model year 2026, 27.9% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17h | Median combined MPG of 2026 two-seater versions | 18 MPG | 34 versions, model year 2026, 0.0% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17i | Median combined MPG of 2026 minicompact car versions | 20 MPG | 29 versions, model year 2026, 10.3% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17j | Median combined MPG of 2026 small wagon versions | 27.5 MPG | 18 versions, model year 2026, 22.2% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F17k | Median combined MPG of 2026 midsize pickup versions | 23 MPG | 15 versions, model year 2026, 20.0% rated 30 MPG or better | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F18 | Average real-world fuel economy of all new vehicles, sales-weighted | 27.2 MPG | All new light-duty vehicles | U.S. EPA, Highlights of the Automotive Trends Report |
| F19 | Median energy use of 2026 EV versions | 37.1 kWh per 100 miles | 321 versions across 65 models, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F20 | Median efficiency of 2026 EV versions | 2.69 miles per kWh | 321 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F21 | Share of 2026 EV versions at 3 or more miles per kWh | 28.0% | 321 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F22 | Share of 2026 EV versions at 4 or more miles per kWh | 1.2% | 321 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F22a | Most efficient 2026 EV version: Lucid Air Pure RWD with 19 inch wheels | 23.1 kWh per 100 miles | EPA record 49969, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F22b | Least efficient 2026 EV version: Bugatti Rimac Nevera R | 66.5 kWh per 100 miles | EPA record 49630, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F22c | Median miles per kWh, 2026 full-size SUV EVs | 2.55 miles per kWh | 95 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F22d | Median miles per kWh, 2026 small SUV EVs | 3.07 miles per kWh | 93 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F22e | Median miles per kWh, 2026 compact car EVs | 2.7 miles per kWh | 38 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F22f | Median miles per kWh, 2026 full-size pickup EVs | 2.31 miles per kWh | 37 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F22g | Median miles per kWh, 2026 large car EVs | 2.7 miles per kWh | 29 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F22h | Median miles per kWh, 2026 midsize car EVs | 3.07 miles per kWh | 18 versions, model year 2026 | U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA, fueleconomy.gov |
| F23 | EPA MPGe and kWh ratings include charging losses, measured at the wall outlet | Yes | All EPA electric vehicle ratings | U.S. EPA, Fuel Economy and EV Range Testing |
| F24 | Energy in one gallon of gasoline used for MPGe | 33.7 kWh | EPA definition | U.S. EPA, Fuel Economy and EV Range Testing |
How These Numbers Were Worked Out
Data. The EPA fuel economy file (vehicles.csv) from fueleconomy.gov, the file dated October 1, 2026. Comparisons use the latest three full model years, 2024 to 2026; snapshots use model year 2026. A model year counts as full once it has at least half as many ratings as the year before.
Pairs. For AWD and 4WD, a pair is the same model year, make, model, engine size, cylinder count, transmission and fuel, rated in both two-wheel drive and AWD or 4WD. For hybrids and diesel, a pair is the same model year, make, model and drive type with a gas version and a hybrid or diesel version. Where a side has several versions, the most efficient one is used. Model names follow this site's model pages.
Mild hybrids. The EPA type field calls them hybrids. They're separated here using the EPA engine description, which marks them "Mild Hybrid."
Limits. These are lab ratings, not real-world results, and every version counts once no matter how many were sold. Medians are used so a few unusual pairs don't skew the result. The diesel figure rests on one maker's trucks and SUVs.
How to Cite This Page
Reese, Cedrick. "Fuel Economy Statistics: What the EPA Ratings Show." Gas Mileage Calculators. Last updated October 2, 2026. https://gasmileagecalculators.com/fuel-economy-statistics.html
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Where These Numbers Come From
Cedrick Reese built this page from the U.S. EPA fuel economy file published on fueleconomy.gov, the same file behind every model page on this site. The figures are produced by a script that matches each pair of versions and works out the medians, so every comparison can be checked: the full list of pairs is in the download below, with the EPA record number for both sides. Two figures come from EPA web pages rather than the file, and those are linked in the table. When the EPA publishes an updated file, the page is rebuilt and the numbers and date change with it.
Sources
- Download Fuel Economy Data, U.S. DOE and EPA, fueleconomy.gov (file dated October 1, 2026)
- Fuel Economy and EV Range Testing, U.S. EPA
- Highlights of the Automotive Trends Report, U.S. EPA (updated February 19, 2026)