Fuel Economy & MPG Ratings

EPA tests are conducted under controlled laboratory conditions that may not reflect real-world driving. Aggressive acceleration, excessive idling, high speeds, short trips in cold weather, using air conditioning, carrying heavy loads, and underinflated tires all reduce real-world fuel economy. Most drivers get 10-20% less than the EPA combined rating, though some achieve better results with careful driving habits.

City MPG simulates urban driving with frequent stops, starts, and idling — typically at speeds below 30 mph. Highway MPG simulates rural and interstate driving at higher speeds with minimal stopping. Most vehicles get better highway MPG because engines are more efficient at steady speeds. Hybrids and electric vehicles often show the opposite pattern because regenerative braking recovers energy during city driving.

The EPA calculates annual fuel cost based on 15,000 miles of driving per year (55% city, 45% highway) and the national average fuel price. For gasoline vehicles, this uses the average price of regular unleaded, premium, or diesel as appropriate. For electric vehicles, it uses the average electricity rate. These estimates are useful for comparing vehicles but your actual costs depend on local fuel prices and how much you drive.

All fuel economy data on RecallCheck comes from the EPA's official fuel economy database at fueleconomy.gov. This data is collected as part of the regulatory testing process required for all new vehicles sold in the United States. Our database includes 49,846 vehicle records spanning from 1984 to 2026, covering 145 manufacturers and 5,576 unique models.