The rapid growth of the electric car market and fluctuating fuel prices have greatly influenced people's desire to look for fuel-efficient automobiles. Even car enthusiasts and speed-hungry drivers are now reevaluating their dependence on fossil fuels. And while the world can't just abandon gas-powered cars and hop into EVs, the ground is shifting relatively fast, and automakers are building fuel-efficient sports cars that perform at par with the older gas-guzzling performance automobiles.
Updated May 2022: If you're looking for a sports car with the perfect blend of superb performance and excellent gas mileage, this article is for you. This piece also sheds some light on some of the worst mpg sports cars that are likely to leave your wallet dry after spending every last dime on gas. First published in 2018, we've updated this article to enable you to make the right decision when shopping for your next sports car.
The keyword is nimble; the most fuel-efficient sports cars are better at corner-carving than straight-line speed. However, that doesn't mean that these cars are slower when unleashed on the race track. While the most engaging sports come with a stick shift, the most fuel-efficient have automatic transmissions. Here's a round-up of ten of the best sports cars with the most reliable mpg and ten likely to leave the gas tank dry after a few miles down the street.
20 Best: FIAT 124 Spider Abarth - Combined Mpg: 44.1
The Fiat 124 Spider is often compared to the Mazda Miata. The two share many components, which give them similar handling characteristics. The two share a chassis but diverge on engine and body panels. Offering a comfortable, smooth ride and agile handling, the 124 Spider Abarth is among the best RWD sports car fitted with manual transmissions. Apart from the performance-focused engineering, this lightweight sports car also features an upscale interior and unique suspension tuning.
The Spider is equipped with a Fiat-Chrysler's turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder delivering 164 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Abarth returns excellent fuel economy for a sports car. It has a combined mpg of 44.1. Models equipped with the manual transmission return an EPA-rated 26 mpg/ 35 mpg in the city and on the highway. Automatic transmission models return EPA-rated 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
19 Worst: Bugatti Chiron - Combined Mpg: 10
The Bugatti Chiron is one of the best hypercars of all time. This supercar is one of the worst gas-consuming cars. And it's not just about its poor gas mileage; the Chiron is also quite expensive at a starting price of $3.3 million. The Bugatti Chiron gets a meager combined mpg of 10 and 8/15 mpg for the city and highway.
Powered by an 8.0-liter 16-cylinder engine with four turbochargers to make 1500 hp and 1180 lb-ft of torque, the Chiron leaves all the others in the dust - phenomenal could be an understatement for the lighting-quick acceleration of this car. 0-60 mph takes only 2.3 seconds. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, and the Chiron does the standing quarter-mile in 9.4 seconds with a maximum speed of 261 mph.
18 Best: Mini Cooper - Combined Mpg: 31
The Mini Cooper uses two engine technologies to achieve excellent fuel efficiency: turbocharging and Direct Fuel Injection (DFI). The base model Mini Cooper is equipped with a TwinPower Turbo, 1.5-liter, inline 3-cylinder direct-injection engine with double VANOS. This powerhouse produces 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, enough to blast the car from 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds. Coupled with the manual six-speed, the car gets combined gas mileage of 31 mpg.
While some people place the Mini Cooper in the subcompact category, the performance characteristics of the Works model qualify it as a sports car. The John Cooper Works features a 2.0-liter, 4-Cylinder MINI Twin Power Turbo Engine with Direct Injection, 228 hp, and 236 ft-lbs of torque. Add the 6-Speed Sport Automatic Transmission and the Mini accelerates from 0-60 mph in a swift 5.9 seconds. No matter which version of the Mini Cooper is selected, the fuel-efficient, energetic turbo engines and road handling features deliver an enjoyable driving experience.
17 Worst: Lamborghini Aventador Coupe - Combined Mpg: 11
It's probably safe to say that no one who has the means and is considering a Lamborghini Aventador cares about the EPA fuel efficiency rating of 11 mpg. Available as an S roadster or S coupe, the Aventador is powered by a 6.5-liter 12-cylinder engine that produces 730 hp and 507 lb-ft of torque. It is equipped with a seven-speed automated-manual transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. The supercar has an astounding acceleration of 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph.
Lamborghini has achieved safe, compelling, and near-perfect road handling characteristics in the Aventador by employing their innovative Active Vehicle Dynamics (LDVA) control unit, a system of active technologies that manages each of the vehicle's dynamic axles. The sophisticated system that allows rear wheel rotation up to 1.5 degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels during low-speed maneuvers gives the Aventador a unique dexterity. Driver steering input is reduced, especially in hairpin curves where rolling the wrists and crossing arms is no longer required.
16 Best: Mazda MX-5 Miata - Combined Mpg: 30
The Miata achieved its decent combined gas mileage of 30 mpg using lightweight aluminum components. Although aluminum has contributed to the weight reduction on current models, Mazda is looking to other materials to reduce weight further. The powertrain is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder that generates 155 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque with a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is optional.
The MX-5 Miata is an essential sports car without many of the technological complications of modern vehicles. The chassis is well balanced, the steering tactile, and the standard manual transmission smooth and precise, providing the Miata driver an exceptional experience.
15 Worst: Ferrari 812 Superfast - Combined Mpg: 13
The name alone, Superfast, is a good indication that fuel efficiency was not on the requirements list when the engineers at Ferrari sat down to design this rocket on wheels. The EPA ratings show a combined gas mileage of 13 mpg. What the engineers did focus on, however, was the creation of an aerodynamic masterpiece that houses a naturally aspirated Ferrari V12 engine.
According to Ferrari, the Superfast reaches a top speed of 211 mph. The 6.5-liter DOHC 48-valve V-12 with aluminum block and heads and direct fuel injection produces 789 horsepower with a peak torque of 530 lb-ft. The engine drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The aerodynamically shaped body panels and active diffuser allow the 812 Superfast to cut through the air with minimal drag, reach 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and achieve its remarkable maximum velocity.
14 Best: Alfa Romeo 4C - Combined Mpg: 28
True to the Italian tradition of creating sleek, sexy, and superior road-handling sports cars, the Alfa Romeo 4C is perhaps the ultimate representative in a comparatively inexpensive car. This exotic machine is available in a Coupe or with a Targa top.
Powered by a mid-engine, four-cylinder, 237-hp turbo engine with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, this Alfa is up to the challenge of any winding road or racetrack. The mini supercar sprints from 0-60 mph in just under 4.5 seconds, but because it's so low to the ground, it feels even faster. The 4C manual steering, responsive braking, great balance, and lightweight build quality lend amazing agility and uncompromised handling to this budget supercar. And with a combined mpg of 28, the Alfa Romeo 4C is among the best performance fuel-efficient sports automobiles on the market.
13 Worst: Dodge Viper SRT - Combined Mpg: 15
First introduced in 1992, the Viper was discontinued in 2010 and resurrected three years by the head of design at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ralph Gilles. However, the Viper was once again axed in 2017. To commemorate the Viper's last year of production and its 25th anniversary, Dodge introduced six special edition models that sold out within a few days.
Lacking most of the fuel-efficient technology that characterizes modern sports cars, efficiency wasn't one of the primary concerns when developing this supercar. Powered by a massive 8.4-liter V-10 with 645 horsepower, the Viper SRT returns combined gas mileage of 15 mpg. A Tremec 6-speed manual transmission shuttles power to the rear wheels. And the SRT's colossal 600 lb-ft of torque is the most generated by any naturally aspirated sports car globally. The car accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of over 200 mph.
12 Best: Audi TT Coupe - Combined Mpg: 26
The Audi TT RS is a luxury sports car with a comfortable interior, sophisticated styling, better than average fuel efficiency for cars in its class, and plenty of high-tech options. Standard features include Bluetooth, full LED headlights, the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, keyless entry/start, a rearview camera, heated front leather seats, and parking sensors.
Power comes from a turbocharged, intercooled DOHC 20-valve 5-cylinder engine with an aluminum block, head, and direct fuel injection. The use of aluminum shaved 42 pounds off the previous iron model. Both the coupe and the roadster get 26 mpg on combined gas mileage. The 2018 Audi TT offers two engines: a 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque in the base TT or 292 hp and 280 lb-ft in the TTS. The remarkable TT RS has a 2.5-liter turbo-five with 400 hp and 354 lb-ft that drives all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic. The RS accelerates to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and includes other performance-enhancing features like front carbon-ceramic brakes, a sports exhaust system, and a fixed sport suspension.
11 Worst: Audi R8 Spyder - Combined Mpg: 16
The Audi R8 Spyder is designed to be the best in its class. The Spyder is available in a coupe and soft-top versions. It shares a similar engine, seven-speed transmission (AWD for the R8), and track-ready chassis with the Lamborghini Huracán. The 532-hp V10 engine puts out 398 lb-ft of torque and adds balance through its mid-engine drivetrain design. An upgrade is available in a 602-hp V10 Plus engine boasting 413 lb-ft of torque.
The Audi features a unique Quattro four-wheel drive technology, which emulates a rear-wheel-drive vehicle depending on the driving situation. Up to 100 percent of available torque can be sent to the front axle. The most visible attribute is the electrohydraulic acoustic folding roof, nearly invisible in its top-down position. Although the R8 Spyder curb weight is reduced with carbon fiber materials, the enhancement impacts performance only. Fuel efficiency is a combined 16 mpg.
10 Best: BMW Z4 - Combined Mpg: 25
The BMW Z4 is a proven and brilliant sports car for enthusiasts. It is also a perfect machine for anyone who dreams of a beautiful sports automobile that is also agile and fast. Confident handling and a potent powertrain are expected from a BMW performance machine like this one, and this roadster perfectly lives up to those expectations.
Part of its glory is thanks to the upscale cabin, which is comfortable enough for a daily driving car. And as a daily driver, its excellent fuel efficiency of 25 mpg combined for city and highway driving makes the Z4 an easy-to-live-with automobile. Its well-tuned chassis and two perky engine options also make the BMW Z4 an excellent performance car for enthusiasts.
9 Worst: Maserati GranTurismo Convertible - Combined Mpg: 16
The Maserati GranTurismo is one of the most beautiful production cars ever made. It proves that Maserati is always careful not to mess with a good creation. The only powertrain available in this car is the Ferrari-built 4.7-liter V-8, which produces 454 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters to send power to the mechanical limited-slip differential, which drives the rear wheels only.
While it may be difficult to identify external differences between the 2008 GranTurismo and the 2018 GranTurismo, small changes have been implemented over the years. Few, if any, were made to improve gas mileage. The 2018 model has new bumpers at both ends, making the underbody more aerodynamically efficient. The change was not made to improve fuel efficiency but to ensure that Maserati Gran Turismo, with a reduced drag coefficient, can reach at least 185 mph. The convertible returns a combined gas mileage of 16 mpg.
8 Best: Mercedes-Benz AMG SLC - Combined Mpg: 23
Best known for the folding hardtop with a photochromic glass roof that stows or raises in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 25 mph, the SLC is offered in two different roadsters. The SLC 300 has a 2.0-liter turbo-4 with 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and fuel consumption is 25 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.
The more exciting version is the AMG SLC43. Its responsive twin-turbo V-6 generates 362 hp and sprints to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds from a standstill. For the performance-driven SLC43, the mileage is respectable at 20/29/23 mpg. Part of the fuel efficiency achieved by the SLC can be attributed to the Mercedes-Benz ECO stop/start system installed on all models. The system saves fuel and reduces the vehicle's emissions by shutting off the engine when the car is not in motion, most commonly at traffic lights.
7 Worst: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - Combined Mpg: 17
While fuel economy is seldom the primary criteria for selecting a car in this class, engineers at Chevrolet didn't care much about efficiency when developing the Corvette Z06. With a supercharged 6.2-liter engine that produces an incredible 650hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, the Corvette Z06 returns a meager fuel economy rating of 17 mpg for combined city and highway driving. The power drives the rear wheels, with the optional 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic and an electronic limited-slip differential. It takes only 2.95 seconds to sprint from 0-60 mph, with a top speed of over 180mph.
The engine block and cylinder heads are aluminum, but the connecting rods and pistons are forged and engineered for a 10:1 compression ratio. The Corvette uses direct injection, variable valve timing, and cylinder deactivation to moderate fuel consumption.
6 Best: Porsche Cayman - Combined Mpg: 22
The Porsche 718 Cayman is a premium sports car developed and engineered to be a leader in its class. The flat six-cylinder engine shared with the 911 in 2017 was replaced with a turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve flat four-cylinder. The base model gets a 300-hp 2.0-liter while the S has a 350-hp 2.5-liter, standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The GTS model uses a 365-hp version of the 2.5-liter engine and comes with brake-based torque vectoring and adaptive dampers.
The mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door hatchback, or convertible 718 Cayman gets 22 mpg combined. The optional seven-speed automatic transmission improves efficiency by 1 to 2 mpg. The 718 Cayman offers a driving experience equaled only by high-performance sports cars in a much higher price bracket.
5 Worst: Aston Martin Vantage - Combined Mpg: 17
The Vantage continues the tradition of exotic Aston Martin sports cars made famous by James Bond with the DB5 in the 1964 film Goldfinger and, more recently, Skyfall and Spectre. Although Bond has never been filmed fuelling his exotic Aston Martins, the poor fuel efficiency of these cars would have required refilling frequently.
The Vantage is no better, with EPA estimated 16/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined.
The 2018 version of this stunning British sports car adopts a new youthful and aggressive look over its predecessor, the Aston Martin DB11, as well as upgrades to chassis dynamics, aerodynamics, and performance. The Vantage screams with a twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8 with aluminum block and heads and direct fuel injection that belts out an inspiring 503 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque. Behind the engine, an eight-speed, close-ratio ZF paddle-shift auto sends power to the rear wheels. The Vantage reaches 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 195mph, plenty of power for a hot pursuit.
4 Best: Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S - Combined Mpg: 21
The EPA rates fuel economy for the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S at 17 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. Most buyers are not concerned with the mediocre mileage but are more impressed with the performance. Mercedes claims the high-performance C 63 is the most fuel-efficient eight-cylinder vehicle currently on the market.
The C63 and the C63 S, available as a sedan, coupe, or convertible, make up the top of the C-class's lineup. Under the hood of the C63 S, the twin turbos that occupy the V-shaped cavity between the cylinder banks of the handcrafted 4.0-liter V8 are instrumental to the production of 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The S version produces 34 more horsepower and 37 lb-ft more torque than the impressive Mercedes-AMG C63. The power makes its way to high-performance Michelin tires via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT seven-speed gearbox, which can rev-match and upshift in under 100-milliseconds when the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT mode, Sport, Sport+, or Manual is chosen.
3 Worst: Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S - Combined Mpg: 18
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S replaces the far more expensive SLS AMG with its 6.3-liter V8 and iconic gullwing doors. Like all trim levels, the new GT employs an all-alloy 4.0-liter V8 equipped with direct injection, dry-sump lubrication, and two turbos nestled inside the 'V' between the cylinder banks. It is coupled with a dual-clutch, seven-speed automatic. Available as both a coupe and convertible, the base version V8 produces 469 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
The engine in the GT S produces 515 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque, while the chassis uses sophisticated tools such as electronic control for the dampers and limited-slip differential. A 'Nanoslide' coating used in the Formula One version of the Mercedes-AMG V6 is applied to the cylinder liners. AMG asserts the coating is harder than conventional cast-iron liners, less susceptible to wear, and reduces friction. The GT S accelerates to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds from a standstill. While fuel economy is a secondary consideration for a supercar, the AMG GT S, rated at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, is more efficient than many other cars in its class.
2 Best: Porsche 911 Carrera - Combined Mpg: 20
The Porsche 911 has long been the high-performance sports car standard that other car manufacturers have measured their products. Since the original 911 was launched in 1963, the car has pushed the boundaries of engineering and performance, making the current model a highly evolved machine with astounding power, acceleration, and superior road handling. A twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six was offered in the Carrera at 370 horsepower and the S model at 420 horsepower, replacing the former naturally aspirated 3.4-liter and 3.8-liter engines, respectively. Both offer 20 hp more than their predecessors. The Carrera 4S, equipped with the PDK, accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
Although fuel economy most likely doesn't factor into purchase decisions for the Porsche 911, it is among the most efficient in its class. Lightweight and several fuel-saving technologies like direct fuel injection and the standard automatic engine stop/start feature contribute. The car returns a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg.
1 Worst: Ferrari 488 Pista - Combined Mpg: 17
Significantly lighter and quicker than its predecessor, the Ferrari 488 Pista is the most aggressive V8-powered Ferrari. Its extensive weight savings, engine, vehicle dynamics, and aerodynamic developments evolved from Ferrari's racing cars: the 488 Challenge Evo and the 488 GTE. The result is a supercar that offers flawless track-like performance both on and off the road, even when driven by inexperienced, non-professional drivers.
The V8 is an evolution of the turbo unit with titles in 2016 and 2017 for the overall International Engine of the Year. Rated at 710 hp, it is precisely 50 horses more than the standard 488 GTB. The 488 Pista is quicker than its predecessor as well. Dashing from 0 to 60 mph takes 2.85 seconds, almost two-tenths quicker than either the 458 Speciale or the 488 GTB. The Pista reaches 124-mph in 7.6 seconds, an astounding seven-tenths of a second faster than the 488 GTB. It tops out at a speed of 211 mph.