Remember when filling your gas tank left you with change for a lottery ticket? Those days are gone. Some vehicles now cost more at the pump annually than many spend on groceries, a fact often overlooked amid attractive styling and performance figures. We’ve analyzed models that guzzle premium fuel, boast abysmal city MPG, and can turn a dream purchase into a costly nightmare.
14. Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
This muscle car icon proves that 707 horsepower comes with a financial sting.
The supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 demands premium fuel and returns just 13 mpg in city driving. Filling its 18.5-gallon tank can easily cost over $90, while highway mileage might nudge 21 mpg. The visual appeal is undeniable, but the reality at the gas station is stark.
Compared to a V6 Challenger, which looks nearly identical and achieves closer to 30 mpg on the highway, the Hellcat’s thirst becomes a significant operating cost. The dream of owning a Hellcat doesn’t always align with the everyday reality of keeping it fed.
13. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 6.4L HEMI V8
This brute prioritizes power over your wallet’s well-being.
The 6.4L HEMI guzzles premium fuel, achieving a dismal 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. That massive 24.6-gallon tank can easily cost more than a second car payment when gas prices spike. While the SRT badge hints at performance, it might as well stand for “Seriously Rethinking This Purchase.”
A standard Grand Cherokee with the 3.6L V6 offers a far more sensible 26 mpg highway, handling about 95% of daily duties without the fiscal embarrassment.
12. Ford Expedition (older V8 “Max” era)
These spacious beasts proved that American supersizing came with a fuel penalty.
Pre-2015 V8 Expeditions, particularly the extended MAX version, delivered a paltry 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. Your typical morning school run combined with a grocery trip could vanish a gallon of gas before covering significant distance.
The good news: a 2022 Expedition with the 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 leaps to 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. This improvement can save $800-$1,000 annually.
11. Cadillac Escalade ESV (pre – 2021 6.2L V8)
This luxury land yacht required special dedication at the pump.
The pre-2021 Escalade ESV with its 6.2L V8 returned 14 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, requiring premium fuel for its massive 31-gallon tank. At today’s prices, that’s a monthly fuel bill that could rival a mortgage payment.
At 14 mpg city, annual fuel expenses could climb to $4,500—a hefty “lifestyle tax” for those who valued presence over pennies.
10. Ram 1500 Classic 5.7L HEMI V8 4×4
The venerable HEMI demands a toll even for light-duty work.
For a 4×4 configuration, expect 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. Real-world numbers usually dip lower when idling on job sites or hauling weekend gear. That smooth HEMI torque is addictive, but using it for light tasks means paying truck-sized fuel bills.
The optional eTorque mild-hybrid system offers relief, nudging figures to 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway—potentially saving $2,000 over five years.
9. Chevrolet Suburban 5.3L 4×4 (pre – 2021)
Bringing a bazooka to a water gun fight, fuel-wise.
The pre-2021 Suburban’s sheer size delivers 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. For daily commutes where you’re mostly alone, hauling that much metal feels excessive. A three-row crossover like a Kia Telluride can seat seven while practically halving fuel expenses.
Sure, the Suburban shines when towing or hauling a brood cross-country. But for the daily grind, its 31-gallon fill-ups become an expensive habit.
8. Lincoln Navigator L (pre – 2018 5.4L V8 vs 2018+ 3.5L EcoBoost)
A tale of two engines that changed the luxury SUV game.
Pre-2018 models with the 5.4L V8 managed 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, interrupting the luxury experience with frequent fuel stops.
The 2018 shift to a 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 changed everything. It delivered 450 horsepower while boosting efficiency to 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway—a generational leap in both performance and economy.
7. Dodge Durango SRT 392 (6.4L V8)
When you stuff 475 horsepower into a three-row SUV.
The 6.4L HEMI hits 60 mph in 4.4 seconds but delivers 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway on premium fuel. That city mileage is lower than many diesel pickup trucks.
For shuttling kids or Costco runs, the standard Durango’s 3.6L V6 nearly doubles that city MPG. Seeking SRT 392 thrills means annual fuel costs jumping $2,500-$3,000 compared to the V6.
6. GMC Yukon XL Denali 6.2L V8 (pre – 2021)
American luxury that demanded a king’s ransom in gasoline.
The pre-2021 Denali packed 420 hp and 460 lb-ft from its V8, delivering 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Anyone driving 15,000 miles annually could spend an extra $750-$900 yearly on premium fuel compared to efficient SUVs.
This extended-length SUV, often exceeding 5,700 lb, drank fuel like a long-haul trucker. It made you feel like you owned the road, but demanded a king’s ransom to do it.
5. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3.6L V6 (four – door)
Adventure comes with a tax on every mile.
A 2023 Unlimited with the 3.6L V6 automatic delivers 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. That’s acceptable for weekend trails, but for daily driving, it becomes a tax on every mile. The Wrangler’s upright stance creates air resistance, punishing fuel economy.
The 4xe plug-in hybrid offers 49 MPGe, but most V6 Wranglers remind owners that rugged freedom comes with frequent, costly pump visits.
4. Ford F-250 Super Duty 6.2L gas V8 4×4
Heavy-duty capability you’re paying for whether you use it or not.
Independent tests suggest highway mileage around 14-16 mpg under light load. While capable of towing over 18,000 lb, most see daily duty without stretching their legs. You’re paying for capability that sits idle.
The annual fuel premium over a more sensible F-150 can easily run $2,000. It’s the right tool for demanding jobs, but for everyday life, it’s an expensive mistake.
3. Chrysler Pacifica & pre-2017 Town & Country (3.6L V6)
When practical family haulers lagged behind the competition.
Pre-2017 models with the 3.6L Pentastar returned 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. That fell short of contemporaries like the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, which managed 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
A 5-year fuel cost comparison could reveal savings of $1,500-$2,000 between these models and more efficient rivals. The modern Pacifica Hybrid now boasts 82 MPGe and 30 mpg in hybrid mode.
2. Land Rover Range Rover 5.0L supercharged V8
Luxury that demands a throne-sized budget.
The 5.0L supercharged V8 delivers 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway on premium fuel. The opulent interior and air suspension aim for diplomatic smoothness, but logic takes a back seat to luxury.
Ownership costs can clear $15,000 annually for fuel, insurance, and maintenance, plus significant depreciation. Consider buying three-year-old models to avoid the harshest depreciation hit.
1. Lamborghini Urus (twin – turbo 4.0L V8)
Engineering marvel meets extraordinary fuel strain.
The twin-turbo 4.0L V8 churns out 641 horsepower but returns 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. For average annual mileage, fuel costs range $4,000-$5,000 yearly. Single fill-ups approaching $500 aren’t uncommon.
This SUV offers supercar acceleration and 190+ mph capability, but represents an extraordinary method for achieving financial strain. Best admired from a safe distance.
