How Much Does It Cost to Fuel America’s Most Popular Vehicles?
Key Takeaways
- The Chevrolet Silverado has the highest estimated monthly fuel cost at $245, while the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have the lowest energy costs at $43 each.
- All six electric vehicles in the comparison cost $70 or less per month to charge at home, based on 900 miles of driving.
- Hybrid versions can deliver significant fuel savings compared to their gasoline counterparts, depending on the model.
A vehicle’s sticker price is only part of what drivers pay over time. Fuel efficiency and powertrain choice can make a significant difference in ongoing expenses, even between versions of the same model.
This visualization compares the estimated monthly fuel and electricity costs of 30 versions of popular U.S. vehicles, including pickup trucks, SUVs, sedans, and electric cars.
The figures come from Kadoa, using underlying information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Energy Information Administration, and Cox Automotive.
The calculations assume 900 miles of driving per month, using U.S. gasoline prices as of October 19, 2026, and electricity rates from August 2026. Electric vehicle costs assume home charging.
Pickup Trucks Have the Highest Fuel Costs
Diesel-powered pickup trucks top the ranking, with the Chevrolet Silverado having the highest estimated monthly fuel cost at $245, followed closely by the GMC Sierra at $240. The gasoline-powered Ford F-Series ranks third at $203 per month.
| Model | Version | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado | Diesel | $245 |
| GMC Sierra | Diesel | $240 |
| Ford F-Series | Gas | $203 |
| Ford F-Series | Hybrid | $164 |
| Ford Maverick | Gas | $157 |
| Ford Maverick | Hybrid | $104 |
| Toyota Tacoma | Hybrid | $167 |
| Jeep Wrangler | Hybrid | $153 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Hybrid | $128 |
| Kia Sportage | Gas | $148 |
| Kia Sportage | Hybrid | $101 |
| Hyundai Tucson | Gas | $143 |
| Hyundai Tucson | Hybrid | $104 |
| Honda CR-V | Gas | $131 |
| Honda CR-V | Hybrid | $104 |
| Honda Civic | Gas | $113 |
| Honda Civic | Hybrid | $79 |
| Toyota Corolla | Hybrid | $81 |
| Honda Accord | Hybrid | $84 |
| Hyundai Elantra | Hybrid | $74 |
| Subaru Forester | Hybrid | $110 |
| Subaru Crosstrek | Hybrid | $107 |
| Toyota RAV4 | Hybrid | $94 |
| Toyota Prius | Hybrid | $73 |
| Rivian R1S | Electric | $70 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Electric | $54 |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | Electric | $53 |
| Toyota bZ | Electric | $44 |
| Tesla Model 3 | Electric | $43 |
| Tesla Model Y | Electric | $43 |
Larger pickup trucks tend to have higher fuel costs because of their weight, size, and fuel consumption. The estimates also highlight differences between powertrains, with the hybrid Ford F-Series costing $39 less per month than its gasoline counterpart.
Hybrids Offer Significant Savings Over Gasoline Models
Comparing gasoline and hybrid versions of the same model reveals some of the clearest savings. The Ford Maverick’s estimated monthly fuel cost falls from $157 for gasoline to $104 for the hybrid, a difference of $53 per month or $636 a year.
The hybrid Kia Sportage costs $101 per month versus $148 for its gasoline counterpart, while the Honda Civic hybrid comes in at $79 versus $113.
While hybrid versions generally carry a higher upfront purchase price, their improved fuel efficiency can help offset that premium over time, particularly for drivers covering more miles.
Electric Vehicles Have the Lowest Monthly Energy Costs
Electric vehicles occupy all six of the cheapest positions in the dataset, with estimated monthly charging costs ranging from $43 to $70. The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y tie for the lowest figure at $43 each, followed by the Toyota bZ at $44.
These figures reflect energy expenses rather than total vehicle ownership costs. Purchase prices, insurance, maintenance, and charging arrangements can all affect the overall economics of owning an electric vehicle. Drivers who rely on public fast charging may also face higher electricity costs than those assumed in this comparison.
Which Cars Are Leading U.S. Sales?
Despite their higher fuel costs, pickup trucks remain among America’s best-selling vehicles.
According to GoodCarBadCar, the Ford F-Series led U.S. sales with approximately 562,000 units sold through September 2026, followed by the Chevrolet Silverado at 423,000 and the Honda CR-V at 337,000.
In the electric vehicle market, the Tesla Model Y maintained a substantial lead, with an estimated 262,491 U.S. sales, more than double the Model 3’s 106,962, according to Car and Driver.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Ranked: Cars That Hold and Lose Their Value the Most on Voronoi.