12 Modern Cars With Worse Gas Mileage Than the Ford Model T
Thinking back to the Ford Model T, you’d imagine that it was a huffing, puffing monster that cried out for unlimited petroleum. In my head at least, it’s basically firing off black clouds with the frequency of a haunted train, so I imagined that it would be horrifically fuel-inefficient. After all, we’re talking about the first car ever, and we’ve had plenty of time since then to figure out how to stretch a gallon of fuel.
Unfortunately, that seems to be one area in which we’ve made little, if any progress outside of hybrid and electric cars. Questionably sourced, generous and biased estimates put the Model T at 25 miles per gallon, while Ford’s own numbers are a little south of that at 21 miles per gallon. Which means that there are plenty of 2024 makes and models that, per fueleconomy.gov's combined miles-per-gallon estimates, can’t make it as far as the Model T on the same amount of gas.
Cars such as…
Jaguar F-Type P450
Fueleconomy.gov
Not that Jaguar owner’s bank accounts are in particular jeopardy.
Ford Mustang
Fueleconomy.gov
You can’t build muscle without protein, and you can’t build American muscle without a whole lot of gasoline.
Chevy Camaro
Fueleconomy.gov
If you’re not a Ford fan, but still want to hit the open road and throw back a couple dozen gallons of gas, Chevy’s got you covered.
BMW 760i xDrive
Fueleconomy.gov
Does that deluxe sound system run on a combustion engine?
Honda Pilot AWD TrailSport
Fueleconomy.gov
Turns out taking the kids on vacation in an honest-to-god jalopy would be cheaper.
Ford Explorer
Fueleconomy.gov
You’ll be exploring the lining of your wallet keeping this fella fueled up!
Chevy Silverado
Fueleconomy.gov
Great jingle, horrible fuel economy.
Jeep Wrangler
Fueleconomy.gov
Turns out the “Jeep Nod” is actually an acknowledgement of collective economic suffering.
Kia Telluride
Fueleconomy.gov
Imagine forking out this much gas money for the privilege of driving a Kia.
Lexus LX 600
Fueleconomy.gov
The “family car” of people who never see their children tests poorly, fuel-wise.
Chevy Traverse Limited
Fueleconomy.gov
You’re not traversing anything without a highly solvent checking account.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport
Fueleconomy.gov
If you’re a defensive little gearhead, you might be complaining that these are luxury cars and SUVs. Well, if you want to play that game, let’s look at just how bad it can get. The worst fuel economy of any 2024 car model belongs to the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. It burns more than twice as much gas per mile as a Model T, and you’re covering those miles a whole lot faster.