More than half of all new vehicles – including many of the major brands – now require more expensive … [+]
While gas prices have eased somewhat from their highs a year ago, most American drivers would still consider a national average of $3.74 per gallon, according to AAA, still uncomfortably high. And that’s for regular grade fuel. Those who drive a car, truck or SUV that requires a premium burn an average of $4.27 per gallon. Those living in Hawaii face the biggest hit of all in this regard, with regular at an average of $4.67 per gallon and premium at $5.16.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, fueleconomy.gov, a given vehicle that is rated at 25 mpg city/highway combined and gets premium gas will cost an average of $300 more to drive per year than a vehicle you get regularly at current prices. That’s an extra $1,500 out-of-pocket over a five-year ownership period, and doesn’t take into account any nasty price increases that might happen down the road.
Unfortunately, choosing a car, truck or SUV that runs regularly has become increasingly difficult in recent years as higher turbocharged and direct fuel injection engines are increasingly demanding premium grade fuel with higher octane to reach their maximum performance potential. That’s to be expected for luxury-minded models and hot sports cars, but as it turns out, some models from major brands like Chevrolet and Toyota now require it, too.
As it turns out, more than half of all light-duty models sold for 2024 require higher-octane gas, and some new-vehicle buyers may not realize it until after they’ve driven off a dealer’s lot. buy a model that gets premium.
For unprimed gas, regular grade gas is usually rated at 89 “octane,” which is a measure of how much compression fuel can handle before igniting. The Premium, on the other hand, is rated at 91 octane (there’s also a hazy and largely overpriced 87-octane mid-grade choice that’s priced somewhere between the two). Higher octane fuel can be compressed at a higher ratio without detonating erratically, which usually manifests as a “knock” or “clunk”.
While today’s engines include what’s called a knock sensor that can automatically change spark plug timing to safely accommodate lower octane fuel than otherwise recommended, a given car’s acceleration and fuel economy will be affected. negatively to some extent if I use it regularly. when premium class is advised otherwise.
Conversely, there is no advantage to running a car on premium fuel if it is specifically built to run on regular 89 octane gas.
Those looking to save money at the pump should make sure they are getting a vehicle that is specifically built to run on regular grade gasoline. This information for current and past models can be found on the EPA website, and is also printed on a label that is affixed to the inside of the fuel filler door and noted in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.
And whether a car gets regular grade gas or prefers premium, it’s a good idea to only use what the oil industry calls “premium” fuel. It contains additional additives that help prevent performance-impairing deposits in sophisticated fuel delivery systems. A study conducted by AAA found that the engines tested had an average of 19 times less intake valve deposits when running on premium gas for 10,000 miles instead of unspecified fuel and 2-4% more miles per gallon.
Over 50 major brands offer Top Tier gas and diesel fuel in the USA, as identified by the Top Tier brand logo on the pump, pump handle, pump canopy or station window.
Below is a list of all major brand cars, trucks and SUVs for the 2024 model year that specify premium gas, according to the EPA database, noting the powertrain(s) within the lineup of the model that require it. We’re also including a list of the few remaining luxury brand cars that can save their owners some money by running on good old regular grade fuel.
Top brand models that require premium grade gas
- Chevrolet Silverado: w/6.2 liter V8
- Chevrolet Suburban: w/6.2 liter V8
- Chevrolet Tahoe: w/6.2 liter V8
- Dodge Durango: w/6.4 liter V8, 6.2 liter supercharged V8
- GMC Sierra: w/6.2 liter V8
- GMC Yukon: w/6.2 liter V8
- GMC Yukon XL: w/6.2 liter V8
- Honda Civic: w/1.5-liter I4 turbo, 2.0-liter I4 turbo
- Hyundai Elantra: w/2.0-liter I4 turbo
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: w/3.0 liter V6 turbo
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer: w/3.0-liter V6 turbo, 6.4-liter V8
- Jeep Wrangler: w/6.4 liter V8
- Mazda CX-90: w/3.3 liter I6 turbo
- Mazda MX-5: 2.0 liter I4
- MINI Cooper: w/1.5 liter I3 turbo, 1.5 liter I4 turbo, 2.0 liter I4 turbo
- MINI Cooper Clubman: w/1.5 liter I3 turbo, 1.5 liter I4 turbo, 2.0 liter I4 turbo
- MINI Cooper Countryman: w/1.5L I3 turbo, 1.5-liter I4 turbo, 2.0-liter I4 turbo
- Nissan Armada: w/5.6 liter V8
- Nissan Pathfinder: w/3.5 liter V6
- Nissan Titan: w/5.6 liter V8
- Nissan Z: 3.0 liter V6 turbo
- RAM 1500: w/6.2 liter supercharged V8
- Subaru BRZ: 2.4 liter I4
- Subaru WRX: 2.4 liter turbo
- Toyota Corolla: w/1.6 liter I3 turbo
- Toyota GR 86: 2.4-liter I4
- Toyota GR Supra: 2.0-liter I4 turbo
- Toyota Land Cruiser: w/2.4 liter I4 turbo
- Toyota Tundra: w/3.4 liter V6 turbo
- Volkswagen Arteon: w/2.0-liter I4 turbo
Premium/performance cars that still get regular gas
- Alfa Romeo Tonal: w/1.3 liter I4 turbo
- Audi A3: w/2.0-liter I4 turbo
- Cadillac XT6: w/3.6 liter V6
- Cadillac XTS: w/3.6 liter V6
- Chevrolet Camaro: w/3.6 liter V6
- Ford Mustang: w/2.3-liter I4 turbo, 5.0-liter V8
- Lexus ES: w/2.5-liter I4, 2.5-liter I4 hybrid, 3.5-liter V6
- Lexus NX: turbocharged 2.5 liter I4
- Lexus UX: w/2.0-liter I4 hybrid
- Lotus Emira: w/3.5 liter supercharged V6
- Lincoln Aviator: w/3.0 liter V6 turbo
- Lincoln Corsair: w/2.0-liter I4 turbo
- Lincoln Nautilus: w/2.0-liter I4 turbo hybrid
- Lincoln Navigator: w/3.5 liter V6 turbo
Source: Environmental Protection Agency