There’s no shortage of talk about fuel economy right now. With record-high gas prices driving tons of people to more fuel-efficient cars, it makes sense that it’s such a prominent part of the conversation. However, one category most people aren’t discussing right now is cars that are not good on fuel. The explanation for this is obvious, leaving cars out is just rude! So, on that note, here are five of the least fuel-efficient cars from 2022, according to the EPA.
Subaru Impreza Sport – 25 mpg
Lithium Red Pearl 2022 Subaru Impreza Hatchback | Subaru
Seeing a Subaru kick this list off may be a bit surprising to some. However, according to the EPA, the Impreza Sport Wagon claims the title of the worst fuel economy for a small station wagon.
It has a 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine. When mated to a five-speed manual transmission, the Impreza gets only 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. This gives it a combined fuel economy rating of 25 mpg. That may not seem too bad. However, its competition on the opposite side of this deal is the Kia Niro, with a combined rating of 50 mpg. So, buying the Subaru cuts fuel economy in half compared to the Kia.
BMW M3 Competition xDrive Sedan – 18 mpg
This, on the other hand, shouldn’t be all that shocking. Very few people would think that a BMW M car is a fuel-efficient option for even a second. If you were on the fence, you’re sure to be convinced that the 2022 M3 Competition M is not something to consider for saving money at the pump.
The M3 uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder. It makes a whopping 5093 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Pushing all of that power through all four wheels nets the M3 Competition a 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway rating. This gives it a combined rating of 18 mpg.
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing – 15 mpg
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing | Cadillac
Not one person on this planet looks at the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, thinking it’s good on gas. If you’re looking to be pleasantly surprised by a bit more fuel economy than you were expecting, though, we also have bad news.
The CT5-V Blackwing has a supercharged 6.-2liter V8 that makes 668 horsepower. Car enthusiasts love that it’s available with a six-speed manual transmission, too. However, this is certainly a car that requires accepting your fuel economy fate when purchasing. It has 13 mpg city and 21 mpg highway ratings, giving it an abysmal combined rating of 15 mpg.
Rolls Royce Ghost – 14 mpg
The 2022 @RollsRoyce Ghost gets a lavish Black Badge model: https://t.co/4Z3Ix8QGrc pic.twitter.com/IaVuvZhxRD
— Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) October 28, 2021
Alright, it’s time to admit we’re undoubtedly in the range where the cost of gas doesn’t matter to the owners of these cars. The 2022 Rolls Royce Ghost starts at $398,850 in the U.S. When we’re talking about cars that cost as much as a decent house in many places, it’s safe to assume the buyers can afford to pay whatever it takes to fill it. Still, it’s fun to look at just how atrocious these numbers are.
The 2022 Ghost has a 6.7-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine. That sentence alone makes us commonfolk cringe just thinking about its fuel consumption. It has 563 horsepower and up to 664 pound-feet of torque. It needs that power, though, as it weighs almost three tons. All said and done, the Ghost gets 12 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for an average of 14 mpg.
Fuel Economy Finale – Bugatti Chiron Super Sport – 9 mpg
Bugatti Chiron | Daniel Pier/NurPhoto via Getty Images
It only makes pure and beautiful sense that one of the most expensive cars on the planet is also the absolute worst on fuel. The fact that a 2022 model year vehicle has a single-digit fuel economy rating almost feels illegal. It’s not far off from being illegal, either. However, Bugatti is riding it out while they can still get away with it.
The Chiron Super Sport uses a quad-turbocharged W16 engine that makes a breathtaking 1,577 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque. It has a top speed of over 270 miles per hour.
The EPA stats are abysmal on this legendary vehicle. It has a city rating of 8 miles per gallon and a highway rating of 11. This gives the Chiron Super Sport a combined EPA rating of just nine mpg. Additionally, the EPA site states that driving a Chiron compared to the average 2022 vehicle will cost an extra $30,000 over five years. Furthermore, it says that it costs $14 to drive 25 miles and has an annual fuel cost of $8,400, assuming an average of 15,000 annual miles. Let’s be honest, though; no Bugatti accumulates that mileage.
Considering its base price of $3,825,000, you 100 percent don’t have to feel any sympathy for Chiron owners at the pump.
The cost of performance continues to rise with gas
As addressed above, most of these cars are not purchased for daily usage intent. For the most part, they are high-performance cars. Buying a performance or sports car is generally a trade-off to good fuel economy, and their owners know that. That doesn’t make it less entertaining to dig into just how bad things can get with fuel efficiency.
That said, steer clear of that Volvo if you’re shopping for a normal new car. If you’re shopping for a Bugatti, there’s bad news. All 2022 Chirons are sold out, and this is their final year. Darn, the luck!
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