Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin More than half of all new vehicles – including many from mainstream brands – now require costlier ...
[+] premium-grade gas. getty While gas prices are down somewhat from their lofty levels a year ago, most U.S.
motorists would still likely consider a national average $3.74 per gallon, according to the AAA, to still be uncomfortably high. And that’s for regular-grade fuel.
Those who drive a car, truck or SUV that requires premium are being burned with an average $4.27 per gallon. Those living in Hawaii face the biggest sting of all in this regard, with regular-grade at an average $4.
67 per gallon and premium at a whopping $5.16. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s fueleconomy.
gov website, a given vehicle that’s rated at 25 mpg in combined city/highway and takes premium-grade gas will cost an average $300 more to drive per year than one that takes regular at current prices. That’s an extra $1,500 out of pocket over a five-year ownership period and doesn’t take into consideration any unpleasant price hikes that may occur down the road. Unfortunately, choosing a car, truck, or SUV that runs on regular has gotten increasingly difficult in recent years as higher-compression turbocharged and direct fuel-injected engines are increasingly requiring the higher octane premium-grade fuel to achieve their maximum performance potential.
That should be expected for luxury-minded models and red-hot sports cars.