These Are The Most- And Least-Expensive New Cars To Run At Today’s Fuel Prices

LifestyleCars & BikesThese Are The Most- And Least-Expensive New Cars To Run At Today’s Fuel PricesByJim Gorzelany,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jim Gorzelany is a veteran automotive journalist.Follow AuthorMay 21, 2026, 11:49am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.U.S. motorists are being squeezed tighter with every subsequent fill-up these days, and can be crushing for those driving gas guzzlers.gettyWithout question, U.S. motorists are being squeezed tighter with every subsequent fill-up since the current Middle East mishegoss commenced back in March and quickly drove up crude oil, and in turn, gasoline prices.The AAA says motorists are now facing a national average $4.55 a gallon for regular unleaded and $5.42 for premium. That’s pricey enough, but those living in California suffer the worst of it with an average $6.14 cost for regular and $6.57 for premium. And at that it’s a whopping average $7.04 per gallon for unleaded regular in the state’s east-central Mono county.Consider that a year ago national average gas prices were at $3.18 for regular and $4.02 for premium. The ongoing boost has essentially made it more than 40% more expensive for the average U.S. driver to feed his or her car, truck or SUV since the conflict began. To put that in perspective, someone driving a V6-powered Ford Explorer has seen the annual average projected cost of driving it 15,000 miles annually leap from an average $2,250 a year ago to a current $3,250, according to the EPA’s fuel cost calculator. That comes to an out-of-pocket expense of around $271 per month.Needless to say the blow is somewhat softer on the most fuel efficient models and can be crushing on gas guzzlers. Among the costliest new vehicles to run, the massive Chevrolet Suburban, went from an average annual $3,750 to a heftier $5,100. That’s an average $425 monthly expen...