- You spend as much on fuel for your car each year as auto insurance.
- Gas prices are up 19 cents per litre since the start of the year.
- From a two-seater to a pickup truck to SUVs, there are many fuel-efficient vehicles.
Did you know you probably spend as much at the pumps each year as you do on your auto insurance? Depending on the type of car you drive and how often, you’re likely spending $1,000 to $2,000 a year on fuel. It’s a significant cost, which is why many drivers look to buy a vehicle that sips gas (or electricity) rather than guzzling it.
It especially makes sense today when you see how gas prices have risen since the start of the year. On January 1, the average price of regular gasoline in Canada was $1.08 per litre, and today it’s hovering around $1.27. And we all know what happens when summer rolls around (not to mention long weekends). Prices will continue to creep up if history is any indication.
In comes Natural Resources Canada’s (NRC) annual list that recognizes the most fuel-efficient vehicles sold in Canada by class. They also list what you can expect to spend on fuel each year if you drive 20,000 km -- with 55% of your time on city streets and 45% on highways (this is the traditional breakdown used when running fuel-efficiency tests.)
2021’s most fuel-efficient vehicles: Conventional vehicles
Conventional vehicles typically use a gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine as the source of energy to power them. However, this category also includes conventional hybrids that use both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The battery that powers the electric motor is charged from the engine during driving and is not plugged in.
The NRC's picks for most fuel-efficient conventional vehicles (model year 2021) are:
| Type of vehicle | Most fuel-efficient in class | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Two-seater | Mazda MX-5 | $2,212 |
| Minicompact | MINI Cooper Convertible | $2,100 |
| Subcompact | Chevrolet Spark | $1,750 |
| Compact | Toyota Corolla Hybrid | $1,125 |
| Mid-size | Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue | $1,100 |
| Full-size | Hyundai IONIQ Blue | $1,000 |
| Small station wagon | Kia Niro | $1,150 |
| | Kia Niro FE | $1,150 |
| Mid-size station wagon | Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain Wagon | $2,688 |
| Small pickup | Chevrolet Colorado | $2,424 |
| Standard pickup | GMC Canyon | $2,424 |
| | Chevrolet Silverado | $2,112 |
| Small SUV | Ford Escape Hybrid | $1,450 |
| Standard SUV | Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD | $1,675 |
| | Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD Limited/Platinum | $1,675 |
| Minivan | Toyota Sienna | $1,625 |
2021’s most fuel-efficient vehicles: Electric
Electric vehicles are the most energy-efficient and lowest emission choices available today. The NRC's picks for the most fuel-efficient vehicles are:
| Type of vehicle | Most fuel-efficient in class | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Minicompact | Polestar_1 | $1,330 |
| Subcompact | Karma GS-6 (21” Wheels) | $1,131 |
| Subcompact | Karma Revero GT (21” Wheels) | $1,131 |
| Mid-size | Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus | $385 |
| Full-size | Tesla Model S Performance (19” Wheels) | $494 |
| Small station wagon | Chevrolet Bolt EV | $463 |
| Small station wagon | Kia Soul EV (120 Ah) | $463 |
| Small SUV | Tesla Model Y Standard Range | $421 |
| Standard SUV | Tesla Model X Long Range Plus | $517 |
| Minivan | Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid | $1,187 |
If gas prices really get under your skin, there are all sorts of vehicles to choose from that will help you spend less on fuel. From a two-seater to an SUV to a fully electric car, there’s something for everyone with fuel-efficiency top of mind.
