Which ‘Regular’ Cars Require Premium-Grade Fuel For 2023

Gas prices remain stubbornly high, with regular-grade fuel averaging $3.50 per gallon nationwide according to the AAA. That’s lofty enough, but for those who drive a car that requires premium-grade gas, the hit to the pocketbook is even more pronounced.

That’s because the average cost of 91-octane gas stands at $4.25 per gallon, which is about 25% costlier than keeping the tank filled with regular. According to the EPA, a vehicle that gets 31 mpg in combined city/highway driving and runs on regular will cost an owner $1,650 annually to drive for 15,000 miles, while a model getting the same fuel economy, but requiring premium, will cost $2,050 to go the same distance. That’s a $2,000 difference over a five-year ownership period.

Trouble is, some new-vehicle buyers may not realize until their first fill-up that they’ve purchased a model that takes premium.

Today’s precisely engineered cars with their higher-compression turbocharged and direct fuel-injected engines are increasingly specifying the use premium-grade fuel to achieve their maximum performance potential. And while one might expect high-powered luxury models and sports cars to require the added octane, there is also a surprising number of cars, trucks, and SUVs from mainstream brands that now rely on premium. Sometimes only a single powertrain in a given line will insist on premium, often the highest-horsepower version, though its more commonly required across the line among luxury and sports cars.

At that, no versions of the 2023 Ford Mustang, and not all powertrains in the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette sports car lines require premium.

Regular grade gas is typically rated at 89 “octane,” which is a measure of how much compression fuel can withstand before igniting. Premium, on the other hand, is rated at 91-octane (there’s also a nebulous and largely superfluous mid-grade choice at 87-octane that’s priced somewhere between the two). Higher octane fuel can be compressed to a higher ratio without detonating erratically, which usually manifests itself as “knocking” or “pinging.”

Those looking to save money at the pump, but don’t otherwise want or can’t afford a hybrid or full-electric-powered model, should make sure they’re getting a vehicle that’s built specifically to run on regular-grade petrol. That information for current and past models can be found at the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov website, and it’s also printed on a label that’s affixed to the inside of the fuel filler door and are noted in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

While today’s engines include a so-called knock sensor that can automatically alter the timing of the spark plugs to safely accommodate lower octane fuel than is otherwise recommended, a given car’s performance and its fuel economy will be adversely affected to some degree if it’s running it on regular when premium-grade is otherwise advised.

And it bears mentioning there’s zero advantage to running a car on premium fuel if it’s built specifically to consume 89-octane regular gas.

We’ve compiled a list of the mainstream-brand cars, trucks, and SUVs for the 2023 model year that specify premium-grade gas, noting the powertrain(s) within the model line 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 regular.

“Regular” Brand Cars That Run On Premium-Grade Fuel For 2023:

• Chevrolet Camaro: w/2.0-liter turbocharged engine or 6.2-liter V8
• Chevrolet Corvette: w/5.5-liter engine
• Chevrolet Silverado: w/6.2-liter engine
• Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban: w/6.2-liter engine
• Chrysler 300: w/6.4-liter engine
• Dodge Challenger: w/6.2-liter supercharged engine or 6.4-liter V8
• Dodge Charger: w/6.2-liter supercharged engine or 6.4-liter V8
• Dodge Durango: w/6.2-liter supercharged engine or 6.4-liter V8
• GMC Sierra: w/6.2-liter engine
• GMC Yukon/Yukon XL: w/6.2-liter engine
• Honda Civic: w/1.5-liter turbocharged engine
• Hyundai Elantra: w/2.0-liter turbocharged engine
• Hyundai Kona: w/2.0-liter turbocharged engine
• Jeep Grand Wagoneer: All models
• Jeep Wrangler: w/6.4-liter engine
• Kia Stinger: All models
• Mazda MX-5: All models
• Mini Cooper: All models
• Mini Cooper Countryman: All models
• Mini Cooper Clubman: All models
• Nissan Armada: All models
• Nissan Maxima: All models
• Nissan Titan: All models
• Nissan Z: All models
• Nissan Pathfinder: w/Rock Creek trim
• Ram 1500: w/6.2-liter supercharged engine
• Subaru BRZ: All models
• Subaru WRX: All models
• Volkswagen Arteon: All models
• Volkswagen Golf R: All models
• Toyota Corolla: w/1.6-liter turbocharged engine
• Toyota GR 86: All models
• Toyota GR Supra: All models

Source: EPA.

“Premium” Brand Cars That Take Regular-Grade Gas For 2023:

• Audi A3: All models
• Audi Q3: All models
• Audi TT: All models except TTS
• Cadillac XT5: w/3.6-liter engine
• Cadillac XT6: w/3.6-liter engine
• Lexus ES: All models
• Lexus NX: All models except hybrids
• Lexus UX: All models
• Lincoln Aviator: All models
• Lincoln Corsair: All models
• Lincoln Nautilus: All models
• Lincoln Navigator: All models

Source: EPA.