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Since federal fuel economy standards began in 1975, the title of “least fuel efficient” has often gone to high performance luxury cars like Lamborghinis and Bugattis, or heavy duty trucks from Ford and Dodge. While modern technology has vastly improved average MPG across the industry, these specific vehicle classes prioritize raw power and size over efficiency, continuing a decades long trend of single digit gas mileage for certain models.
For drivers today, fuel efficiency is a primary consideration. The shift towards greater fuel economy has been a half-century-long journey, driven by consumer demand and federal regulations. While the vintage muscle cars and luxury sedans of the past have a certain timeless appeal, their fuel consumption is a relic of a bygone era, standing in stark contrast to the highly efficient vehicles available on the market today. CheapInsurance.com gathered data on the trends of fuel economy on cars in the past and takes a look at the current landscape.
A Look Back at Fuel-Guzzlers
Since the mid-1970s, the U.S. government has taken a proactive role in promoting fuel efficiency. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 was a landmark piece of legislation that established the first Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. These regulations required manufacturers to advertise the fuel efficiency of their vehicles and set benchmarks to improve the average miles per gallon (MPG) of their fleets. This was a response to the energy crises of the era and a growing awareness of air pollution.
In those early years, the least fuel-efficient vehicles were often high-performance coupes and luxury sedans. Models like the Lamborghini Countach were more focused on raw power and exotic design than on economy. Their powerful engines and heavy builds resulted in abysmal fuel consumption. Over the decades, these gas-guzzlers were joined by a new class of inefficient vehicles: the large pickup trucks and cargo vans from manufacturers like Dodge.
The Current Landscape of Fuel Efficiency in 2025
The automotive landscape in 2025 is a testament to how far technology has come. The average vehicle on the road today gets more than double the fuel economy of its 1975 counterpart. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), average vehicle CO2 emissions have been drastically reduced, from 661 grams per mile in 1975 to just over 256 grams per mile in 2022, a trend that continues to improve.
This progress has been driven by a combination of stricter regulations and rapid technological innovation. Hybrid systems, advanced turbocharged engines, and more aerodynamic designs have all contributed to a significant increase in MPG across all vehicle types. The average new vehicle today gets an estimated 27.1 MPG, a record high.
Despite this progress, there are still some vehicles on the market today that fall far short of the average, catering to a specific market segment that prioritizes power and size over economy. They represent the modern-day “gas-guzzlers,” a direct result of market demands for large SUVs and powerful pickup trucks. Even with today’s advanced technology, these vehicles struggle to compete with the fuel economy of smaller cars and hybrids.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fuel-Inefficient Vehicles
What makes a vehicle fuel inefficient?
Fuel-inefficient vehicles typically have large engines, heavy curb weight, and designs focused on power or towing rather than efficiency. Older engine technology, poor aerodynamics, and lower transmission gear counts can also contribute to higher fuel consumption compared to modern vehicles.
Why were many vehicles introduced in the past less fuel efficient?
Many vehicles introduced decades ago prioritized performance, size, and low fuel prices over efficiency. Before stricter emissions standards and fuel economy regulations, manufacturers faced less pressure to optimize miles per gallon, especially during periods when gasoline was relatively inexpensive.
Do fuel-inefficient vehicles cost more to insure?
Fuel efficiency does not directly determine insurance rates, but vehicles with powerful engines or higher replacement costs can be more expensive to insure. Larger and heavier vehicles may also be associated with more severe claims, which can influence premiums depending on the model and driver profile.
