Plenty of vintage vehicles have aged like fine wine—and appreciated in value, too. But their fuel efficiency? It’s lacking in a world where the average vehicle now gets 25 or more miles for every gallon of fuel.
CheapInsurance.com, experts on cheap car insurance, used data from the Environmental Protection Agency to find the least fuel-efficient car and truck for every model year since 1975. Years represent the model year, and the EPA determined the most fuel-efficient vehicles by their overall miles per gallon. Cars include sedans, while trucks include pickups, truck SUVs, vans, and minivans.
The least fuel-efficient vehicles of the last five decades are a who’s who of sexy luxury sedans and high-performance coupes like the Lamborghini Countach. In addition to poor fuel economy, high-performance coupes offer additional impacts, such as the potential for racking up speeding tickets, and the need for cheap sr22 insurance. In terms of trucks, Dodge’s pickup trucks and cargo and conversion vans earn a number of spots on this ranking.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rolled out regulations for automakers in 1975 requiring them to advertise the fuel efficiency of each of their vehicles, also known as fuel economy. Regulations like these, coupled with requirements that manufacturers reduce emissions, stemmed from dense smog that strangled urban areas like Los Angeles, California in the 1950s and 1960s.
In the decades since, regulations have significantly curbed vehicle emissions, which have been scientifically proven to contribute to our changing climate. Typical vehicle CO2 emissions have gone from 661 grams per mile in 1975 to 256 grams per mile in 2022, according to EPA data.
And to give a sense of how far manufacturers have come in terms of fuel economy, the typical fuel economy of a vehicle today is double what it was in 1975. Based on February 2023 urban gas prices, that efficiency saves drivers about $13 per 100 miles. Yet even today’s vehicle lineup includes a few vehicles that just don’t move the needle in terms of getting more bang for your buck at the gas pump.
Read on to see which vehicles burned the most gas just to take passengers a couple of miles throughout recent history.
1975
– Least fuel-efficient car: Oldsmobile Toronado
— Overall mileage: 8.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.4 mpg
— City mileage: 7.7 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Ford F-250
— Overall mileage: 7.6 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 7.8 mpg
— City mileage: 7.5 mpg
1976
– Least fuel-efficient car: Jensen Interceptor
— Overall mileage: 8.6 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.9 mpg
— City mileage: 7.7 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Chevy P20 Step
— Overall mileage: 7.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 8.5 mpg
— City mileage: 7.3 mpg
1977
– Least fuel-efficient car: Rolls Royce
— Overall mileage: 8.3 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 8.9 mpg
— City mileage: 7.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Toyota Land Cruiser
— Overall mileage: 8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 8.9 mpg
— City mileage: 7.4 mpg
1978
– Least fuel-efficient car: Dodge Monaco
— Overall mileage: 8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 8.7 mpg
— City mileage: 7.5 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient trucks: Chevy Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500
— Overall mileage: 8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 8.1 mpg
— City mileage: 8 mpg
1979
– Least fuel-efficient car: Aston Martin V8
— Overall mileage: 7.9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.7 mpg
— City mileage: 6.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Ford F-Series
— Overall mileage: 7.9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 7.7 mpg
— City mileage: 8.1 mpg
1980
– Least fuel-efficient car: Aston Martin 79
— Overall mileage: 7.9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.7 mpg
— City mileage: 6.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: GM chassis cab
— Overall mileage: 8.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 8.8 mpg
— City mileage: 8.1 mpg
1981
– Least fuel-efficient cars: Rolls-Royce Camargue, Rolls-Royce Corniche
— Overall mileage: 8.6 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.5 mpg
— City mileage: 8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge B250 Conversion Van
— Overall mileage: 9.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.1 mpg
— City mileage: 9 mpg
1982
– Least fuel-efficient car: Maserati Quattroporte
— Overall mileage: 8.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.8 mpg
— City mileage: 7.6 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: GM G30/G35 SportVan 2WD
— Overall mileage: 10.1 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.8 mpg
— City mileage: 9.5 mpg
1983
– Least fuel-efficient car: Maserati Quattroporte
— Overall mileage: 8.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.8 mpg
— City mileage: 7.6 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Ford E250 Econoline 2
— Overall mileage: 10.3 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.8 mpg
— City mileage: 9.8 mpg
1984
– Least fuel-efficient car: Maserati Quattroporte
— Overall mileage: 8.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.8 mpg
— City mileage: 7.6 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge B350 Wagon 2WD
— Overall mileage: 9.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.7 mpg
— City mileage: 8.7 mpg
1985
– Least fuel-efficient car: Maserati Quattroporte
— Overall mileage: 8.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.8 mpg
— City mileage: 7.6 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Ford E250 Econoline 2
— Overall mileage: 9.6 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.6 mpg
— City mileage: 9.5 mpg
1986
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Countach
— Overall mileage: 7.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.4 mpg
— City mileage: 6.1 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge B350 Wagon 2WD
— Overall mileage: 10.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 11.2 mpg
— City mileage: 9.8 mpg
1987
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Countach
— Overall mileage: 7.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.4 mpg
— City mileage: 6.1 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge AW150 Ramcharger
— Overall mileage: 10 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 11.2 mpg
— City mileage: 9.2 mpg
1988
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Countach
— Overall mileage: 7.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.4 mpg
— City mileage: 6.1 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient trucks: Dodge W100/W150 pickup, Dodge W250 pickup 4WD
— Overall mileage: 9.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.6 mpg
— City mileage: 9.2 mpg
1989
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Countach
— Overall mileage: 7.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.3 mpg
— City mileage: 6 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge B350 Wagon 2WD
— Overall mileage: 10.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.9 mpg
— City mileage: 9.7 mpg
1990
– Least fuel-efficient car: Aston Martin Lagonda
— Overall mileage: 9.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.7 mpg
— City mileage: 8.2 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Chevy C1500 pickup 2WD
— Overall mileage: 10 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.8 mpg
— City mileage: 9.3 mpg
1991
– Least fuel-efficient car: Vector W8
— Overall mileage: 8.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.5 mpg
— City mileage: 7.2 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge W250 pickup 4WD
— Overall mileage: 10.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.3 mpg
— City mileage: 9.1 mpg
1992
– Least fuel-efficient car: Vector W8
— Overall mileage: 8.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.5 mpg
— City mileage: 7.2 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge W250 pickup 4WD
— Overall mileage: 10.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 11.4 mpg
— City mileage: 9.6 mpg
1993
– Least fuel-efficient car: Vector W8
— Overall mileage: 8.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.4 mpg
— City mileage: 7.1 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Chevy C1500 pickup 2WD
— Overall mileage: 10.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12 mpg
— City mileage: 9.3 mpg
1994
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Diablo
— Overall mileage: 10.9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.7 mpg
— City mileage: 9 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge B150/B250 Wagon
— Overall mileage: 12.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.8 mpg
— City mileage: 11 mpg
1995
– Least fuel-efficient car: Ferrari F50
— Overall mileage: 8.7 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.7 mpg
— City mileage: 7.3 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge B3500 Wagon 2WD
— Overall mileage: 12.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.1 mpg
— City mileage: 10.7 mpg
1996
– Least fuel-efficient car: Avtech Vector M12
— Overall mileage: 10.1 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.2 mpg
— City mileage: 8.5 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge B3500 Wagon 2WD
— Overall mileage: 12.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.1 mpg
— City mileage: 10.7 mpg
1997
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Diablo
— Overall mileage: 10.7 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.6 mpg
— City mileage: 8.7 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge B3500 Wagon 2WD
— Overall mileage: 12 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.1 mpg
— City mileage: 10.3 mpg
1998
– Least fuel-efficient car: Ferrari 550 Maranello
— Overall mileage: 10.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.1 mpg
— City mileage: 8.6 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge RAM 1500 pickup 4WD
— Overall mileage: 12.9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 15.5 mpg
— City mileage: 10.9 mpg
1999
– Least fuel-efficient car: Ferrari 550 Maranello
— Overall mileage: 10.5 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.4 mpg
— City mileage: 8.5 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient trucks: Dodge Durango 4WD, Dodge RAM 1500 pickup 4WD
— Overall mileage: 13 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 15.5 mpg
— City mileage: 11 mpg
2000
– Least fuel-efficient car: Ferrari 550 Maranello
— Overall mileage: 9.9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.4 mpg
— City mileage: 7.9 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Land Rover Range Rover
— Overall mileage: 12.6 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.3 mpg
— City mileage: 11.1 mpg
2001
– Least fuel-efficient car: Ferrari 550 Maranello-Barche
— Overall mileage: 9.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.4 mpg
— City mileage: 7.9 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: GMC Sierra 1500 4WD
— Overall mileage: 11.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.3 mpg
— City mileage: 10.4 mpg
2002
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Murcielago
— Overall mileage: 10.1 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12 mpg
— City mileage: 8.4 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge RAM 1500 pickup 4WD
— Overall mileage: 12.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.5 mpg
— City mileage: 10.5 mpg
2003
– Least fuel-efficient car: Enzo Ferrari
— Overall mileage: 9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 11.6 mpg
— City mileage: 7.1 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Chevy Cargo Van G1500-2500 2WD
— Overall mileage: 10.9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.2 mpg
— City mileage: 8.9 mpg
2004
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Murcielago
— Overall mileage: 10.3 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.5 mpg
— City mileage: 8.4 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient trucks: Chevy Cargo Van G1500-2500 2WD, Chevy Savana Cargo Van 2WD
— Overall mileage: 10.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.5 mpg
— City mileage: 8.5 mpg
2005
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Murcielago
— Overall mileage: 10.3 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.5 mpg
— City mileage: 8.3 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge RAM 1500 pickup 2WD
— Overall mileage: 9.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 11.5 mpg
— City mileage: 8.2 mpg
2006
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Veyron
— Overall mileage: 10.3 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.8 mpg
— City mileage: 7.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge RAM 1500 pickup 2WD
— Overall mileage: 9.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 11.5 mpg
— City mileage: 8.2 mpg
2007
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Murcielago
— Overall mileage: 10.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.8 mpg
— City mileage: 8.3 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Mercedes-Benz G-Class G55 AMG
— Overall mileage: 12.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.5 mpg
— City mileage: 10.8 mpg
2008
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Veyron
— Overall mileage: 10.1 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13 mpg
— City mileage: 7.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Mercedes-Benz G-Class G55 AMG
— Overall mileage: 12.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.5 mpg
— City mileage: 10.8 mpg
2009
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster
— Overall mileage: 10.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.8 mpg
— City mileage: 8.3 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML63 AMG
— Overall mileage: 12.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.4 mpg
— City mileage: 10.5 mpg
2010
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Veyron
— Overall mileage: 10.1 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13 mpg
— City mileage: 7.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Mercedes-Benz G-Class G55 AMG
— Overall mileage: 12.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.6 mpg
— City mileage: 10.8 mpg
2011
– Least fuel-efficient car: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
— Overall mileage: 12.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 16 mpg
— City mileage: 9.6 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Ford E-Series Van (Propane-fueled)
— Overall mileage: 6.7 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 6.7 mpg
— City mileage: 6.6 mpg
2012
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Veyron
— Overall mileage: 11.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.8 mpg
— City mileage: 8.4 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Ford E-Series Van (Propane-fueled)
— Overall mileage: 9.1 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.3 mpg
— City mileage: 8.9 mpg
2013
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Veyron
— Overall mileage: 11.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.8 mpg
— City mileage: 8.4 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Ford E-Series Van (Propane-fueled)
— Overall mileage: 9.1 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.3 mpg
— City mileage: 8.9 mpg
2014
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Veyron
— Overall mileage: 11.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.8 mpg
— City mileage: 8.4 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Ford E-Series Van (Propane-fueled)
— Overall mileage: 9.1 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 9.3 mpg
— City mileage: 8.9 mpg
2015
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Aventador Roadster
— Overall mileage: 12.7 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 16.2 mpg
— City mileage: 9.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient trucks: Chevy Cargo Van G3500 2WD, Chevy Savana Cargo Van 2WD
— Overall mileage: 12.7 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 15.1 mpg
— City mileage: 10.4 mpg
2016
– Least fuel-efficient car: Ferrari F12
— Overall mileage: 12.9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.8 mpg
— City mileage: 11 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Mercedes-Benz AMG G65
— Overall mileage: 11.9 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 13.1 mpg
— City mileage: 10.6 mpg
2017
– Least fuel-efficient car: Lamborghini Aventador Coupe LP740-4
— Overall mileage: 12.7 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 16.3 mpg
— City mileage: 9.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Mercedes-Benz G-Class G 550 4×4 SUV
— Overall mileage: 10.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.9 mpg
— City mileage: 10.6 mpg
2018
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Chiron
— Overall mileage: 11.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.1 mpg
— City mileage: 8.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Mercedes-Benz G-Class G 550 4×4 SUV
— Overall mileage: 10.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 10.9 mpg
— City mileage: 10.6 mpg
2019
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Chiron
— Overall mileage: 11.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.1 mpg
— City mileage: 8.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63
— Overall mileage: 12 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.3 mpg
— City mileage: 9.8 mpg
2020
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Divo
— Overall mileage: 10.6 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 12.9 mpg
— City mileage: 8.6 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Ford F150 pickup 4WD
— Overall mileage: 12.8 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 15.2 mpg
— City mileage: 10.6 mpg
2021
– Least fuel-efficient car: Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport
— Overall mileage: 9.3 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 11 mpg
— City mileage: 7.7 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge Ram 1500 TRX 4X4
— Overall mileage: 12.2 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.1 mpg
— City mileage: 10.4 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient cars: Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport
— Overall mileage: 9.4 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 11.2 mpg
— City mileage: 7.8 mpg
– Least fuel-efficient truck: Dodge Ram 1500 TRX 4X4
— Overall mileage: 12.3 miles per gallon
— Highway mileage: 14.2 mpg
— City mileage: 10.5 mpg
Data reporting by Paxtyn Merten. Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
