7 Cars And Trucks That Have Some Of The Worst MPG Ratings Ever

Fuel economy has become one of the most talked-about numbers in the automotive world, yet a handful of vehicles seem to ignore the conversation entirely. Jalopnik recently rounded up seven cars and trucks that return some of the worst MPG ratings ever, and the list includes the Ram TRX, Ferrari Enzo, Bugatti Veyron and Lamborghini LM002, with some managing as little as 5 mpg.

Some of these machines were built for speed, some for sheer excess, and others for rugged work. All of them share one trait: a thirst for fuel that makes a modern gas station visit feel like a major financial event. Here is a closer look at what makes these vehicles so hungry.

Why Some Vehicles Burn Through Fuel So Quickly

Poor fuel economy rarely comes from a single flaw. It usually results from a mix of large displacement engines, heavy curb weights, poor aerodynamics, and a design philosophy that puts performance or capability ahead of efficiency.

Forced induction adds to the problem. Superchargers and multiple turbochargers help create enormous power, but they also demand large amounts of fuel when the driver uses that power, and even moderate driving can bring consumption up sharply.

Gearing and drivetrain layout play a part as well. All-wheel-drive systems, wide tires, and short gear ratios built for acceleration all add friction and engine load, which pushes consumption higher at every speed.

The Ram TRX Brings Supercharged Truck Thirst

The Ram 1500 TRX packs a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 that produces 702 horsepower. It is a full-size pickup built to fly across desert terrain, and its numbers on paper are astonishing.

The cost is a heavy appetite for gasoline. Real-world results often fall into the low teens at best, and spirited driving can send the number even lower, which makes the TRX one of the thirstiest trucks on sale.

Owners seem to accept the trade-off. The appeal lies in the truck's sheer ability and presence, and for many buyers a few extra fuel stops are a small price for that experience.

Ferrari Enzo Shows Exotic Performance Has a Price

The Ferrari Enzo was a flagship of its era, powered by a 6.0-liter V12 with Formula One-inspired technology. It was designed to deliver extreme speed, not to save money at the pump.

Its fuel economy numbers are painful by any standard, with city driving dropping into single digits. Few owners ever worry about this, since many Enzos are collector pieces that rarely see long drives.

Still, the car is a perfect example of how supercar engineering once ignored efficiency. Output, sound, and drama came first, and consumption was an afterthought.

Bugatti Veyron Turns Fuel Into Pure Speed

The Bugatti Veyron remains one of the most extreme production cars ever built. Its quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine made over 1,000 horsepower and helped the car reach speeds beyond 250 mph.

At full throttle, the Veyron can drain its fuel tank in a matter of minutes. That staggering fact has become a favorite piece of automotive trivia, and it shows how much energy the car needs to reach its top speed.

In everyday use the numbers are still grim, with city consumption in the low single digits to low teens depending on the source. For a car of this caliber, though, running costs are rarely the main concern.

Lamborghini LM002 Was a Rugged Luxury Gas Guzzler

The Lamborghini LM002 was a wild idea: a military-inspired SUV with a Countach-derived V12 under the hood. It combined off-road toughness with exotic Italian flair, and nothing else looked like it.

That combination came with huge weight and a thirsty engine. Reported fuel economy figures sit around the 5 mpg mark in tough conditions, which makes it a leading contender for the worst ratings ever.

Today the LM002 is a cult classic, and values have climbed accordingly. Its poor mileage is now part of the legend rather than a reason to avoid it.

Other Heavy Hitters Round Out the List

The remaining entries on the list reinforce the same pattern. Big engines, hefty bodies, and a focus on capability or speed combine to create fuel economy numbers that seem almost comical today.

Many of these vehicles come from an era when fuel was cheaper and regulations were looser. Manufacturers had more freedom to build excess without worrying about efficiency standards, and the results speak for themselves.

Even so, some modern machines still carry on that tradition. Powerful trucks and hypercars continue to appear, proving that demand for outrageous performance has not disappeared.

What Real-World Mileage Means for Owners

For most owners of these vehicles, fuel cost is a minor line item compared with insurance, maintenance, and depreciation, or appreciation in the case of rare exotics. A fill-up may sting, but it rarely changes the ownership equation.

Range can be a bigger practical issue. With small real-world mileage figures, drivers may need to stop for fuel far more often than they would in a typical sedan or crossover.

That reality shapes how these vehicles are used. Many become weekend toys, show pieces, or special occasion rides rather than daily drivers.

Final Thoughts on the Thirstiest Machines Around

The list is a reminder that automotive history is full of bold, impractical, and unforgettable creations. Fuel economy is important, but it has never been the only measure of what makes a vehicle exciting.

Whether it is a supercharged pickup, a V12 Ferrari, a record-setting Bugatti, or a Lamborghini SUV, each vehicle on the list offers something that efficiency-minded cars cannot. They are loud, extravagant, and gloriously inefficient.

As the industry moves toward electrification, these fuel-hungry giants may come to look like the end of an era. For now, they remain fascinating examples of what happens when engineers and designers chase power above all else.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to Contact Us