What is a good MPG for a car? Gas mileage by type of car
A good MPG for a car depends on what kind of car it is. Among 2026 models, EPA combined ratings run about 30 to 36 MPG for a gas compact sedan, 44 to 57 MPG for a compact hybrid, 26 to 32 MPG for a gas small SUV, and 17 to 21 MPG for a gas full-size pickup. The best test is your own car: compare your real MPG with the EPA rating for your exact model.
On this page (8 sections)
The short answer
- Good for its type is the useful question. 30 MPG is ordinary for a compact sedan and excellent for a full-size pickup.
- The average new vehicle got 27.2 MPG in model year 2024, a record high, according to EPA. That figure includes electric cars.
- Your car is doing well if your measured MPG over several tanks is close to its EPA combined rating, after allowing for weather and driving.
Good MPG by type of car (2026 EPA ratings)
| Type | Gas models | Hybrid models | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact sedan or hatchback | About 30–36 MPG | About 44–57 MPG | Toyota Corolla 33–35; Honda Civic 34–36; Hyundai Elantra 31–35; Nissan Sentra 32–33; Corolla Hybrid 44–50; Elantra Hybrid 50–54; Toyota Prius 49–57 |
| Midsize sedan | About 27–32 MPG | About 43–51 MPG | Honda Accord 31–32; Nissan Altima 28–30; Kia K5 27–30; Toyota Camry (hybrid only) 43–51; Accord Hybrid 44–48 |
| Small SUV | About 26–32 MPG | About 35–43 MPG | Nissan Rogue 29–32; Honda CR-V 29–30; Hyundai Tucson 26–28; Subaru Forester 26–29; Toyota RAV4 (hybrid only) 38–43; CR-V Hybrid 35–40 |
| Midsize 3-row SUV | About 20–24 MPG | About 34–36 MPG | Honda Pilot 20–22; Toyota Highlander 24; Hyundai Santa Fe 21–24; Ford Explorer 19–24; Highlander Hybrid 35; Santa Fe Hybrid 34–36 |
| Minivan | About 20–22 MPG | About 35–36 MPG | Honda Odyssey 22; Chrysler Pacifica 20–22; Toyota Sienna (hybrid only) 35–36 |
| Compact or midsize pickup | About 20–26 MPG | About 23–38 MPG | Toyota Tacoma 20–23; Ford Maverick 23–26; Tacoma Hybrid 23; Maverick Hybrid 36–38 |
| Full-size pickup | About 17–21 MPG | About 19–24 MPG | Ford F-150 19–21; Chevrolet Silverado 17–20; Toyota Tundra 19–20; F-150 Hybrid 23–24; Tundra Hybrid 19–22 |
EPA combined MPG for 2026 models, gas and hybrid (not plug-in), from fueleconomy.gov data. Ranges cover the trims and drivetrains listed; off-road performance trims and diesels are left out. Checked November 12, 2026.
Two patterns stand out. In cars, SUVs, and minivans, a hybrid usually gets about 10 to 16 MPG more than a gas model of the same type; in full-size pickups the gain is smaller. And all-wheel drive, bigger engines, and off-road trims usually cost 1 to 3 MPG within the same model. Look up your exact car with our MPG calculator, which shows the EPA rating next to your own number.
The average MPG of new cars
EPA’s Automotive Trends Report puts the average real-world fuel economy of new vehicles at 27.2 MPG for model year 2024, the highest on record. Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles raise that average by 1.7 MPG; without them it would be about 25.5 MPG. Truck-based SUVs averaged 25.7 MPG.
That average mixes small cars with big pickups, so it is a poor yardstick for any single car. Compare within the type in the table above.
Compare your car with its own EPA rating
The most useful “good MPG” number is the one on your car’s window sticker. To check your car:
- Fill the tank and write down the odometer.
- At the next fill-up, divide the miles driven by the gallons you added. Our guide on how to calculate MPG shows the full method.
- Repeat for three or more tanks and average them.
- Compare with the EPA combined rating for your year, make, model, and engine.
A result close to the rating means the car is doing what it should. A steady drop over several tanks, with no change in weather or driving, is worth a look: low tire pressure, dragging brakes, or a maintenance item can all cost MPG. If the tire pressure light is on, start there.
Why your real MPG is lower than the label
EPA ratings come from standard lab tests, so they let you compare cars fairly. Your own number depends on how and where you drive. Fueleconomy.gov gives these figures:
| Cause | Typical effect |
|---|---|
| Cold weather (20 °F vs 77 °F, city driving) | About 15% lower for gas cars, up to 24% on short trips of 3–4 miles; about 30–34% lower for hybrids |
| Aggressive driving (speeding, hard starts and stops) | About 15–30% lower at highway speeds, 10–40% in stop-and-go traffic |
| Speed over 50 mph | Each 5 mph over 50 is like paying about $0.28 more per gallon |
| Underinflated tires | About 0.2% lower for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all four tires |
| Wrong oil grade | 1–2% lower (for example, 10W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-30) |
| Idling | A quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour |
Source: fueleconomy.gov (U.S. Department of Energy and EPA), checked November 12, 2026.
Premium gas won’t raise MPG in a car designed for regular; see premium vs regular gas.
What better MPG is worth in dollars
At the U.S. average of 10,787 miles a year (FHWA, 2024) and $3.995 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of November 9, 2026):
| MPG | Gallons a year | Gas cost a year |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 539 | $2,155 |
| 25 | 431 | $1,724 |
| 30 | 360 | $1,436 |
| 35 | 308 | $1,231 |
| 50 | 216 | $862 |
Gallons = miles ÷ MPG; cost = gallons × price. Your miles and local price will differ.
Going from 25 to 35 MPG saves about $493 a year at these numbers. To use your own miles and price, try the fuel cost per mile calculator.
FAQ
Is 25 MPG good?
It depends on the vehicle. 25 MPG is good for a three-row SUV or a pickup, close to average for a small SUV, and low for a compact sedan. For any car, the real test is how close you are to its own EPA rating.
Is 30 MPG good for a car?
For a gas compact sedan, 30 MPG is about normal: 2026 models are rated about 30 to 36 MPG combined. For a midsize sedan or small SUV, 30 MPG is good. Hybrids of those types are rated much higher.
What is the average MPG for a new car?
EPA puts the average for all new vehicles at 27.2 MPG for model year 2024, a record high. Without electric and plug-in hybrid models, it is about 25.5 MPG.
Why is my MPG lower than the EPA rating?
Cold weather, short trips, high speed, aggressive driving, and low tire pressure all lower real-world MPG. Fueleconomy.gov says cold weather alone can cut city MPG by about 15% in a gas car and 30% or more in a hybrid.
Is city or highway MPG higher?
For most gas cars, highway MPG is higher, because the engine runs at a steady speed. Many hybrids are the other way around: they recover energy when braking, so they often do better in the city. The EPA label shows both numbers.
Sources
- U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Energy, fuel economy data, vehicles.csv (2026 combined MPG; retrieved November 12, 2026): fueleconomy.gov
- U.S. EPA, Highlights of the Automotive Trends Report (model year 2024: 27.2 MPG, 1.7 MPG from EVs and plug-in hybrids, truck SUVs 25.7 MPG; updated February 19, 2026; checked November 12, 2026): epa.gov
- Fueleconomy.gov, Fuel economy in cold weather (checked November 12, 2026): fueleconomy.gov
- Fueleconomy.gov, Driving more efficiently (aggressive driving, speed, idling) (checked November 12, 2026): fueleconomy.gov
- Fueleconomy.gov, Keeping your vehicle in shape (tire pressure, oil grade) (checked November 12, 2026): fueleconomy.gov
- FHWA, Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-1 (10,787 miles per light-duty vehicle): fhwa.dot.gov
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, U.S. regular gasoline, week of November 9, 2026 (checked November 12, 2026): eia.gov