Many drivers know that trucks with a V-8 engine and large sport utility vehicles (SUVs) will drain a gas tank more quickly than many other vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates fuel mileage on two popular truck models as low as nine miles per gallon (mpg) on city streets and shows some luxury SUVs at 11 mpg in town. But not all of the low-fuel-mileage models are pickups and SUVs; several 2010-model cars can also take a toll on your fuel budget.
With an 8-cylinder, 6.1-liter engine, the Dodge Charger consumes a considerable amount of fuel. The EPA estimates that a Charger with an automatic transmission will get 13 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway. The Buick Lucerne's 8-cylinder, 4.6-liter engine ranks it near the bottom of the large sedan category, with an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. The Chrysler 300 features similar specs and results, with 16 city and 23 highway.
Some stylish rides have not-so-sporty fuel mileage results. Outfitted with a 12-cylinder engine and manual transmission, the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster garners 8 mpg city and 13 highway, according to the EPA. The Bugatti Veyron sports a 16-cylinder engine and similar fuel mileage: 8 city/14 highway for the automatic transmission. Both vehicles have price tags many people would consider extreme. The Bugatti costs more than $2 million, according to the "Automobile Magazine" website, while the Lamborghini starts at $382,400, according to the Leftlane website.
Sports cars with lower price tags can also feature mediocre fuel efficiency. The Chevrolet Corvette offers an 8-cylinder, 6.2-liter engine and 14 city/20 highway mpg in the manual transmission model. A Ford Mustang with similar specifications produces 14 mpg city and 22 on the highway, according to the EPA.
Some luxury brands appear at the bottom of the EPA fuel mileage results in the coupe category. With an 8-cylinder, 6.8-liter engine and automatic transmission, the Bentley Brooklands offers 9 mpg city and 15 highway. The Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG and CL600, along with the BMW M6, show results of 11 mpg city and 17 highway, according to the EPA.
Leaving the luxury ranks in the coupe category doesn't always increase fuel mileage dramatically. The Dodge Challenger offers 14/22 mpg.
Cars falling at the bottom of this EPA fuel-mileage category include the Pontiac G6 at 15 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. Also ranking low are the Buick Lacrosse at 16/25, the Chrysler Sebring at 16/27 and the Dodge Avenger at 16/27.
