CARFAX’s March 6, 2026 ranking reports fuel economy figures from 44 mpg for the Honda Prelude to 25 mpg for the Subaru BRZ among its ten selected sports cars. Those are CARFAX-reported figures, not a guarantee for every trim or transmission. The evidence available for this comparison does not establish a matching, defensible list of ten least-efficient sports cars, so the figures below cover the high-MPG list only.
CARFAX’s 10 sports cars with the best MPG in 2026
CARFAX says it ranked these 2026 models from most to least efficient, with ties decided in favor of the less-expensive car. Its figures describe models or model lines, not necessarily every powertrain configuration. Treat them as a starting point, then check the exact EPA entry for the model year, engine, and transmission you are considering.
| CARFAX rank | 2026 model | MPG reported by CARFAX | Practical comparison note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda Prelude | 44 | Four-seat coupe based on the Civic; CARFAX notes it has no manual transmission. |
| 2 | BMW 4 Series | 31 | A broad line offered as a coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe. |
| 3 | BMW 2 Series | 30 | Small coupe with limited rear-seat and cargo space. |
| 4 | Mazda Miata | 29 | Two seats and a small trunk; CARFAX lists it below the luxury coupes in price. |
| 5 | Lexus LC 500h | 29 | Luxury grand tourer with limited cargo room and a small rear seat. |
| 6 | BMW Z4 | 28 | Convertible oriented toward comfort as well as acceleration. |
| 7 | Toyota GR Supra | 27 | CARFAX describes lively acceleration and a cramped cabin. |
| 8 | Mercedes-Benz CLE | 27 | Luxury coupe; CARFAX identifies the BMW 4 Series as its sole rival. |
| 9 | Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback | 26 | CARFAX says it offers more cargo room than rival sports cars. This figure is not for V8 Mustang trims. |
| 10 | Subaru BRZ | 25 | Rear-wheel drive and a standard manual in CARFAX’s description; compact cabin and trunk. |
These figures and model descriptions come from CARFAX’s 2026 ranking, published March 6, 2026. They are useful for screening, not for settling a close comparison: for example, a model-line figure can conceal differences between engines, body styles, and transmissions. CARFAX also says its listed prices may vary by location and market conditions; its publication-date starting prices are not included here because they are time-sensitive.
Why this is not a verified list of the ten cheapest-to-run sports cars
The “wallet empty” half of the title implies a ranked set of the least-efficient sports cars, but a fair list needs a defined model year, a consistent rule for what counts as a sports car, and comparable combined MPG figures for each exact configuration. The available ranking and EPA material do not establish those ten cars or their order. Naming models or attaching MPG figures without that comparison would make the result look more certain than the evidence supports.
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The EPA does provide broad context: “The highest fuel economy vehicles have all been hybrids or battery electric vehicles since the first hybrid was introduced in model year 2000, while the lowest fuel economy vehicles are generally performance vehicles or large trucks.” That statement is from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s 2025 Automotive Trends Report, published in February 2026. It supports the general point that performance can come with lower fuel economy, but it is not a sports-car bottom-ten ranking.
How to compare the MPG figures fairly
Match the exact model year and powertrain
EPA label ratings depend on the vehicle configuration. Before comparing two listings, identify the model year, engine, and transmission; also distinguish a coupe from a convertible or another body style when the model line spans several versions. The EPA’s Fuel Economy Label guidance says its used-vehicle search can filter by model year, make, model, engine, and transmission. The original EPA estimate is described there as the best indicator of average gas mileage for a properly maintained vehicle over a typical 15-year life.
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Do not mix label MPG with trend-report estimates
EPA’s consumer fuel-economy labels and its fleet trend analysis use different metrics. The 2025 Automotive Trends Report uses an estimated real-world fuel-economy measure for vehicle-trends analysis; its example uses a 43% city / 57% highway weighting, compared with the 55% / 45% weighting used for label values. A number from that report should not be placed beside a window-sticker combined rating as if both were the same measure.
Use the EPA sources for verification
EPA says fuel-economy test data come from work at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory and manufacturer-submitted test data. Its fuel-economy test-data page lists downloadable files for model years 2025 and 2026, dated January 2026. EPA also says the Department of Energy publishes label values in the annual Fuel Economy Guide and that manufacturers must update label MPG values if information shows they are too high. For a shopping decision, use the consumer lookup for the exact car rather than treating a broad ranking as a substitute for its rating.
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What MPG can—and cannot—tell you about ownership cost
A high MPG figure can lower fuel use for a given distance, but it does not by itself establish which car costs less to own. Price, insurance, maintenance, fuel grade, annual mileage, and how the car is driven also affect the budget. Among the models in CARFAX’s list, the body styles and layouts make the trade-offs concrete: the two-seat Miata and Z4 prioritize open-air driving, while the Prelude and BMW 4 Series offer more seating; the BRZ’s manual-focused character differs from the hybrid Prelude’s approach. Consider those practical differences alongside the exact MPG for the configuration on the listing.
EPA’s report gives fleetwide context, not a sports-car benchmark: model-year 2024 new vehicles averaged 27.2 mpg in estimated real-world fuel economy, 41% higher than model year 2004, according to the agency’s 2025 report. Those are fleet averages and should not be read as the average for sports cars.
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