Owners Hit Hardest By Gas Prices

• A new study reveals which car owners are being hit hardest by rising gas prices.
• Consumers are paying an average of $706 a year at the pump based on April 2026 prices.
• The list is packed with large vehicles like the Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Suburban, and Nissan Armada.

If you bought a car in January expecting the price of gas to remain steady, the last few months have likely been a shock. The price of gas is up 46 percent in just a few months, meaning some Americans are now spending so much on gasoline that fuel alone rivals a monthly car payment. But some owners have been affected more than others.  

According to a new iSeeCars study, certain vehicle owners are paying significantly more in annual fuel costs than others. Toyota Sequoia owners saw the sharpest increase at $1,623, when the average only rose by $706. The rest of the list is packed with large vehicles like the Chevrolet Suburban, Nissan Armada, and Jeep Wagoneer.  

Shockingly, the Chrysler Pacifica also makes the list, but it makes sense once you dig into the data. It shows that people drive minivans the most on average among vehicle segments, with owners driving 19,292 miles a year, nearly 5,000 more than truck owners, resulting in a higher annual fuel cost—$3,610 versus $3,146. The average for an internal combustion vehicle now sits at $2,240.

1. Toyota Sequoia – $5,145 (Annual Fuel Cost)
2. Chevrolet Suburban – $4,889
3. Nissan Armada – $4,797
4. GMC Yukon XL – $4,664
5. Chevrolet Tahoe – $4,177
6. Cadillac Escalade ESV – $4,159
7. GMC Yukon – $4,135
8. Jeep Wagoneer – $4,064
9. GMC Sierra 1500 Limited – $4,050
10. Chrysler Pacifica – $3,918

One vehicle segment not held hostage by high gas prices is the passenger car. It remains the cheapest type of vehicle to fill up, with costs only increasing by $606 to a more reasonable $1,922 a year. 

The study also looked at different powertrain types, including conventional hybrids, which pay the least for gas. According to the report, even though conventional hybrids drive more miles on average than combustion vehicles, hybrid owners would pay $700 less per year than pure ICE vehicle owners.  

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But for millions of Americans, downsizing isn’t realistic. Contractors still need trucks. Large families still need space. Rural drivers often travel long distances where efficiency matters less than practicality. That means many drivers are left balancing two realities at once: They still want the vehicles that fit their lifestyles—but they’re increasingly aware of what those vehicles cost every time they pull up to a gas pump.

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Motor1’s Take: Rising gas prices are fueling a surge in hybrid sales, and this study reveals one reason why—they save money. As prices rise, consumers will begin to consider these details and make purchases accordingly.  

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