Mark Phelan

Detroit Free Press Auto Critic

Drivers have never had so many choices when it comes to alternative fuel technology. Below is a comparison of some of the cheapest vehicles to operate using various fuels. Each vehicle model has its pluses and minuses.

Honda Civic HF

MSRP: $20,040.00

Fuel: Gasoline

Fuel economy (combined): 35

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $1,400.00

Range (miles): 462

Cost to drive (25 miles): $2.29

Cost to drive (75 miles): $6.87

Cost to drive (100 miles): $9.16

Nissan Sentra FE

MSRP: $17,240.00

Fuel: Gasoline

Fuel economy (combined): 34

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $1,400.00

Range (miles): 449

Cost to drive (25 miles): $2.36

Cost to drive (75 miles): $7.08

Cost to drive (100 miles): $9.44

VW Jetta TDI S

MSRP: $22,740.00

Fuel: Diesel

Fuel economy (combined): 36

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $1,550.00

Range (miles): 522

Cost to drive (25 miles): $2.57

Cost to drive (75 miles): $7.71

Cost to drive (100 miles): $10.28

Chevrolet Cruze diesel

MSRP: $25,660,00

Fuel: Diesel

Fuel economy (combined): 33

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $1,700.00

Range (miles): 514

Cost to drive (25 miles): $2.80

Cost to drive (75 miles): $8.40

Cost to drive (100 miles): $11.20

Ford Focus EV

MSRP: $29,170.00

Fuel: Electricity

Fuel economy (combined): 105

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $600.00

Range (miles): 99

Cost to drive (25 miles): $0.96

Cost to drive (75 miles): $2.99

Cost to drive (100 miles): ----

Nissan Leaf S

MSRP: $29,010.00

Fuel: Electricity

Fuel economy (combined): 114

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $550.00

Range (miles): 84

Cost to drive (25 miles): $0.90

Cost to drive (75 miles): $2.70

Cost to drive (100 miles): ----

Tesla S (60KWh battery)

MSRP: $69,900.00

Fuel: Electricity

Fuel economy (combined): 95

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $650.00

Range (miles): 208

Cost to drive (25 miles): $1.05

Cost to drive (75 miles): $3.15

Cost to drive (100 miles): $4.20

Toyota Prius 3 hybrid

MSRP: $25,765.00

Fuel: Electricity and gasoline

Fuel economy (combined): 50

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $950.00

Range (miles): ----

Cost to drive (25 miles): $1.61

Cost to drive (75 miles): $4.83

Cost to drive (100 miles): $6.44

Ford Fusion S hybrid

MSRP: $26,475.00

Fuel: Electricity and gasoline

Fuel economy (combined): 42

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $1,150.00

Range (miles): 567

Cost to drive (25 miles): $1.91

Cost to drive (75 miles): $5.73

Cost to drive (100 miles): $7.64

Toyota Prius Advanced plug-in

MSRP: $34,905.00

Fuel: Electricity and gasoline

Fuel economy (combined): 95 (elec.), 50 (gas)

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $850.00

Range (miles): Electric: 11, Total: 540

Cost to drive (25 miles): $1.35 (electric + gasoline)

Cost to drive (75 miles): $4.57 (electric + gasoline)

Cost to drive (100 miles): $6.18 (electric + gasoline)

Chevrolet Volt

MSRP: $34,345.00

Fuel: Electricity and gasoline

Fuel economy (combined): 98 (elec.), 37 (gas)

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $905.00

Range (miles): Electric: 38, Total: 380

Cost to drive (25 miles): $1.05 (electric only)

Cost to drive (75 miles): $2.27 (electric + gasoline)

Cost to drive (100 miles): $7.11 (electric + gasoline)





Ford Fusion Energi plug-in

MSRP: $34,700.00

Fuel: Electricity

Fuel economy (combined): 88 (elec), 38 (gas)

Annual fuel cost (15,000 mi.): $1,000.00

Range (miles): Electric: 20, Total: 550

Cost to drive (25 miles): $1.32 (electric + gasoline)

Cost to drive (75 miles): $3.33 (electric + gasoline)

Cost to drive (100 miles): $7.55 (electric + gasoline)

Sources: Fueleconomy.gov, Free Press research