What is good MPG?
Benchmarks for every vehicle type so you know where you stand.
Quick answer
For a gas-powered car, 30 MPG or higher is generally considered good. But "good" depends entirely on the vehicle type — 25 MPG is excellent for a full-size truck but mediocre for a compact car.
Good MPG by vehicle type
Here's what "good" fuel economy looks like for different kinds of vehicles. These are combined (city + highway) MPG numbers:
🚗 Compact and midsize cars
30–40 MPGThe Honda Civic gets 33–36 MPG, the Toyota Corolla 32–35 MPG. Under 28 MPG is below average for this class.
🚙 Crossovers and small SUVs
27–33 MPGModels like the RAV4 (30 MPG) and CR-V (30 MPG) set the bar. Under 25 MPG is below average.
🚙 Midsize and full-size SUVs
20–27 MPGThree-row SUVs like the Highlander (24 MPG) or Telluride (23 MPG). Full-size models like the Tahoe sit around 19–20 MPG.
🛻 Pickup trucks
18–24 MPGFull-size trucks like the F-150 (22–25 MPG with the EcoBoost) and RAM 1500 (21–23 MPG). Heavy-duty trucks drop to 14–18 MPG.
🔋 Hybrids
45–58 MPGThe Toyota Prius gets 52–57 MPG, RAV4 Hybrid 40 MPG, Camry Hybrid 47 MPG. Under 40 MPG is below average for a hybrid.
⚡ Plug-in hybrids
60–100+ MPGePHEVs like the RAV4 Prime (94 MPGe) excel when charged regularly. On gas only, they typically get 35–40 MPG.
Is 25 MPG good?
It depends on what you drive. 25 MPG is good for a midsize SUV or truck, average for a crossover, and below average for a sedan. The national average across all passenger vehicles is about 25.4 MPG, so 25 MPG puts you right at average.
Is 30 MPG good?
30 MPG is above the national average and good for most vehicle types. For a sedan, it's solid but not outstanding. For an SUV or crossover, it's excellent. At today's gas prices, a 30 MPG car costs about $1,400/year in fuel at 12,000 miles driven.
Is 40 MPG good?
40 MPG is excellent for any gas-powered vehicle. Only the most efficient non-hybrid sedans reach this level (like the Civic or Corolla in ideal conditions). If you're getting 40+ MPG, you're beating the vast majority of cars on the road.
City vs highway MPG
EPA ratings list separate city and highway numbers. Highway MPG is almost always higher because steady-speed driving is more efficient than stop-and-go. The "combined" number is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway).
If you mostly drive on highways, your real-world MPG may be higher than the combined rating. City-heavy drivers will see lower numbers. Focus on whichever matches your typical driving.
How to check your actual MPG
EPA ratings are estimates. Your real fuel economy depends on driving habits, conditions, and maintenance. The most reliable way to check is to calculate it yourself:
Fill up, note your mileage, drive until you need gas, fill up again, and divide the miles by gallons. Read our full how to calculate MPG guide for step-by-step instructions, or use the MPG calculator to do the math instantly.
Want to compare vehicles?
Use our gas mileage comparison tool to see the annual fuel cost difference between vehicles side by side. You might be surprised how much the MPG gap costs (or saves) you over time.