{"title":"The Vehicle Standard current-market intelligence release","published":"2026-08-17","source":"https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ws/","sourceUpdated":"2026-09-24","licenseNote":"Calculated tables may be cited with attribution; underlying federal data retains its source terms.","studies":[{"slug":"awd-4wd-availability-index","number":"004","title":"AWD and 4WD availability across the current U.S. market","description":"A make-by-make census of model families with at least one all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive EPA certification row.","finding":"289 of 344 current model families have at least one AWD or 4WD certification row.","columns":["Make","Families","AWD/4WD families","Share","Configurations"],"rows":[["Audi","33","33","100%","58"],["BMW","25","24","96%","111"],["Toyota","21","18","86%","94"],["Mercedes-Benz","16","16","100%","56"],["Lexus","12","11","92%","40"],["Volvo","12","11","92%","29"],["Cadillac","10","10","100%","44"],["Ford","11","10","91%","67"],["Subaru","11","10","91%","25"],["Chevrolet","12","9","75%","72"],["Hyundai","12","9","75%","48"],["Jeep","8","8","100%","24"],["Kia","12","8","67%","49"],["Nissan","12","8","67%","35"],["Genesis","6","6","100%","17"],["GMC","6","6","100%","55"],["Honda","10","6","60%","31"],["Mazda","7","6","86%","21"],["Volkswagen","8","6","75%","19"],["Acura","6","5","83%","17"],["Infiniti","5","5","100%","8"],["Porsche","6","5","83%","71"],["Tesla","5","5","100%","10"],["Alfa Romeo","4","4","100%","5"],["Lincoln","4","4","100%","9"],["Aston Martin","7","3","43%","8"],["Bentley","3","3","100%","6"],["Buick","4","3","75%","8"],["Dodge","3","3","100%","10"],["Ferrari","12","3","25%","15"],["Land Rover","3","3","100%","15"],["Maserati","6","3","50%","15"],["Polestar","3","3","100%","13"],["Rivian","3","3","100%","26"],["Rolls-Royce","4","3","75%","11"],["Vinfast","4","3","75%","5"],["Lamborghini","2","2","100%","2"],["Lucid","2","2","100%","15"],["Mitsubishi","2","2","100%","5"],["Bugatti","1","1","100%","1"],["Bugatti Rimac","1","1","100%","1"],["Chrysler","2","1","50%","3"],["INEOS Automotive","1","1","100%","2"],["Jaguar","1","1","100%","3"],["MINI","3","1","33%","10"],["Ram","1","1","100%","12"],["Fiat","1","0","0%","2"],["Lotus","1","0","0%","1"]],"methodology":["Group the current 2025–2026 EPA snapshot by normalized make and model family.","Mark a family available when any current drive field contains all-wheel, 4-wheel or four-wheel drive.","Count availability, not standard equipment: one qualifying configuration marks the family as available."],"definitions":["Family is the publication’s normalized model-family grouping.","Share divides qualifying families by all current families for that make.","The result does not prove a drivetrain is offered on every trim."],"keyTakeaways":["289 of 344 current model families, 84%, have at least one AWD or 4WD certification row.","Availability is not standard equipment: one qualifying configuration marks the whole family.","Drivetrain choice does not substitute for winter tires, which govern grip on ice and packed snow.","Makes where every current family qualifies: Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Jeep, Genesis, GMC and 17 others."],"analysis":[{"title":"What this table does and does not prove","paragraphs":["Every figure here comes from EPA certification records, which describe the configurations a manufacturer certified for sale, not what sits on a dealer lot, and not what is standard on any given trim.","A make showing a high share has certified all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive versions across most of its lineup. It does not follow that the specific vehicle you are considering has it, that it is available on the trim you want, or that it is included at the price you were quoted."],"points":["A family counts as available if any single configuration qualifies","Certification rows do not carry trim names, so trim-level availability requires the window sticker","Availability and standard equipment are different questions","Some families certify front-wheel and all-wheel versions under one grouping"]},{"title":"Reading the extremes","paragraphs":["At the top of the table, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Jeep, Genesis, GMC and 17 others certify all-wheel or four-wheel drive across every current family. That reflects positioning as much as engineering: makes concentrated in performance, luxury and utility segments have little reason to certify a two-wheel-drive variant.","At the other end, Fiat, Lotus have no qualifying family at all: typically because the lineup is a single small or rear-drive-only model instead of because a drivetrain was withheld."],"points":["High share often indicates segment concentration, not broader capability","Low share is frequently a lineup-size artifact, not a strategic absence","Configuration counts in the final column show depth, not just presence","Compare share and configuration count together: a make can qualify universally with few records"]},{"title":"What AWD actually changes","paragraphs":["All-wheel and four-wheel drive improve the ability to put power to the road when starting and accelerating on a low-traction surface. They do not shorten stopping distance and they do not increase cornering grip, because both of those depend on the tires, not on how many wheels are driven.","This is the most consistently misunderstood point in the segment, and it has a real safety consequence: a driver who assumes all-wheel drive is a winter solution carries more speed into conditions where only tires determine the outcome."],"points":["Traction for acceleration improves; braking and cornering do not","Winter tires change grip on ice and packed snow; drivetrain does not","All-wheel-drive vehicles typically weigh more, which can lengthen stopping distance","Ground clearance, tire type and electronic aids matter separately from drivetrain"]},{"title":"Part-time versus full-time systems","paragraphs":["Certification records do not distinguish between a part-time four-wheel-drive system with a transfer case and a full-time all-wheel-drive system with a centre differential. Both appear in the same field, and the difference matters in daily use.","Part-time systems lock the front and rear driveshafts together and must not be engaged on dry pavement, where the driveline binds. Full-time systems allow continuous speed difference between axles and are designed to be left engaged. Determining which a vehicle has requires the owner's manual, not this table."]}],"faqs":[{"q":"How many current model families offer all-wheel or four-wheel drive?","a":"289 of 344 current model families in this snapshot, 84%, have at least one certification row with all-wheel, 4-wheel or four-wheel drive."},{"q":"Does this table tell me if a specific trim has AWD?","a":"No. A family counts as available when any single configuration qualifies. EPA certification rows do not carry marketed trim names, so trim-level availability has to be confirmed on the window sticker or with the manufacturer."},{"q":"Does a high availability share mean safer vehicles?","a":"No. This table counts which families certify all-wheel or four-wheel drive; it says nothing about stopping distance, which depends on tires, brakes and weight instead of on how many wheels are driven."},{"q":"Do I still need winter tires if I have AWD?","a":"Yes, where conditions warrant them. Drivetrain determines which wheels receive power; tires determine how much grip is available for braking, steering and cornering on ice and packed snow."},{"q":"Why do some makes show 100% availability?","a":"Makes concentrated in performance, luxury and utility segments have little reason to certify a two-wheel-drive variant. In this snapshot that applies to Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Jeep, Genesis, GMC and 17 others."}]},{"slug":"electrification-and-range-index","number":"005","title":"Electrification and rated range index","description":"Which makes have current hybrid, plug-in, battery-electric or fuel-cell configurations, with the highest positive electric-range field in the snapshot.","finding":"196 current model families contain an electrified fuel or technology designation.","columns":["Make","All families","Electrified families","Highest electric range","Electrified configurations"],"rows":[["Audi","33","21","395 mi","44"],["Toyota","21","19","314 mi","89"],["BMW","25","17","434 mi","82"],["Mercedes-Benz","16","16","443 mi","56"],["Volvo","12","12","330 mi","29"],["Hyundai","12","9","335 mi","40"],["Kia","12","8","321 mi","35"],["Lexus","12","7","307 mi","29"],["Ferrari","12","6","8 mi","8"],["Chevrolet","12","5","493 mi","47"],["Ford","11","5","320 mi","35"],["Honda","10","5","308 mi","20"],["Tesla","5","5","410 mi","10"],["Cadillac","10","4","326 mi","15"],["Genesis","6","4","306 mi","13"],["Subaru","11","4","308 mi","11"],["Vinfast","4","4","287 mi","5"],["Bentley","3","3","30 mi","6"],["Jeep","8","3","294 mi","4"],["Land Rover","3","3","","15"],["Mazda","7","3","32 mi","9"],["Polestar","3","3","314 mi","13"],["Rivian","3","3","420 mi","26"],["Dodge","3","2","267 mi","5"],["GMC","6","2","410 mi","33"],["Lamborghini","2","2","35 mi","2"],["Lincoln","4","2","27 mi","5"],["Lucid","2","2","512 mi","15"],["Maserati","6","2","268 mi","8"],["Nissan","12","2","303 mi","8"],["Porsche","6","2","332 mi","28"],["Volkswagen","8","2","291 mi","4"],["Acura","6","1","327 mi","3"],["Alfa Romeo","4","1","33 mi","1"],["Aston Martin","7","1","6 mi","1"],["Bugatti Rimac","1","1","174 mi","1"],["Fiat","1","1","149 mi","2"],["Jaguar","1","1","","3"],["MINI","3","1","216 mi","3"],["Ram","1","1","","12"],["Rolls-Royce","4","1","324 mi","4"]],"methodology":["Search current fuel and advanced-technology fields for electric, hybrid or fuel-cell designations.","Count one family once even when it has several electrified certification rows.","Report the highest positive electric-range value; conventional hybrids normally show none."],"definitions":["Electrified includes hybrid categories that do not plug in.","Electric range is an EPA configuration field, not real-world trip range.","Rows with no positive electric-range field display a dash."],"keyTakeaways":["196 of 344 current model families, 57%, carry an electrified fuel or technology designation.","Those families account for 779 individual certification records.","Electrified includes conventional hybrids that never plug in, so the count is broader than a plug-in count.","The range column is an EPA configuration field, not real-world trip range."],"analysis":[{"title":"What counts as electrified here","paragraphs":["The scope is deliberately broad: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric and fuel-cell. A conventional hybrid that recovers braking energy but never plugs in is included, and so is a fuel-cell vehicle with no meaningful plug-in battery at all.","That breadth is the right measure for a market census, but it means the headline number cannot be read as a plug-in count. A make can appear well represented here on the strength of hybrid variants of otherwise conventional vehicles."],"points":["Conventional hybrids are included and do not plug in","Plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles are both present","Fuel-cell rows are matched on EPA's own abbreviations, not on the phrase 'fuel cell'","A family counts once regardless of how many electrified rows it contains"]},{"title":"How to read the range column","paragraphs":["The figure shown is the highest positive electric-range value among that make's electrified configurations. For a battery-electric vehicle it is the rated range of its longest-range configuration. For a plug-in hybrid it is the electric-only portion, which is a small fraction of total driving range.","Makes showing a dash: Land Rover, Jaguar, Ram: have electrified families whose configurations report no positive electric range, which is the expected result for a lineup electrified only through conventional hybrids."],"points":["The value is a maximum across configurations, not a lineup average","Plug-in hybrid figures are electric-only, not total range","Conventional hybrids normally report no electric range at all","EPA range is a standardized test result, not a guarantee for any trip"]},{"title":"Why rated range and real range differ","paragraphs":["EPA range testing is conducted under standardized conditions. Real-world range moves with temperature, speed, terrain, cabin heating, payload and tire condition, and the gap is largest in cold weather where cabin heat draws from the same battery that moves the vehicle.","Sustained highway speed is the other dominant factor, because aerodynamic drag rises steeply with speed. A vehicle that comfortably meets its rating in mixed suburban driving can fall well short of it at high sustained speed in winter. With no fault present."],"points":["Cold weather reduces both battery efficiency and available energy after heating","High sustained speed costs more range than any other driving variable","Preconditioning while plugged in shifts heating load to the grid","Rated range is a comparison tool between vehicles, not a trip planner"]},{"title":"Depth versus breadth","paragraphs":["Comparing the electrified-family count against the electrified-configuration count separates two different commitments. Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Tesla, Vinfast, Bentley, Land Rover and 8 others have electrified every current family, which is breadth.","A make with fewer electrified families but a high configuration count has instead built depth. Multiple battery sizes, drivetrains and body styles within a smaller set of models. Neither pattern is better; they answer different questions about how much choice a buyer actually has."]}],"faqs":[{"q":"How many current model families are electrified?","a":"196 of 344 current model families in this snapshot, 57%, contain an electrified fuel or technology designation, covering hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric and fuel-cell."},{"q":"Does electrified mean it plugs in?","a":"No. The scope includes conventional hybrids that recover braking energy but never plug in, so the count is broader than a plug-in count."},{"q":"Is the electric range figure the total driving range?","a":"For a battery-electric vehicle it is the rated range of its longest-range configuration. For a plug-in hybrid it is the electric-only portion, which is a small fraction of total range."},{"q":"Why do some makes show a dash for electric range?","a":"Their electrified families report no positive electric-range value, which is the expected result for a lineup electrified only through conventional hybrids."},{"q":"Will I actually get the rated range?","a":"EPA range is a standardized test result. Real range moves with temperature, sustained speed, terrain, cabin heating and payload, and the gap is largest in cold weather at high speed."}]},{"slug":"lowest-annual-energy-cost-index","number":"006","title":"Lowest current EPA annual energy-cost estimates","description":"The 40 model families with the lowest minimum standardized annual fuel or electricity cost in the current dataset.","finding":"The lowest published minimum in this snapshot is $500 per year for 2027 Lucid Air.","columns":["Model family","Lowest estimate","Highest estimate","Fuel categories","Configurations"],"rows":[["2027 Lucid Air","$500","$700","Electricity","8"],["2027 Toyota bZ","$550","$700","Electricity","7"],["2027 Audi A6 e-tron","$600","$700","Electricity","4"],["2026 Lexus ES","$600","$1,800","Electricity, Premium","6"],["2026 Lexus RZ","$600","$800","Electricity","6"],["2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class","$600","$2,400","Electricity, Premium","4"],["2027 Subaru Uncharted","$600","$650","Electricity","3"],["2026 Tesla Model S","$600","$800","Electricity","3"],["2026 Audi Q4 e-tron","$650","$800","Electricity","3"],["2026 BMW i4","$650","$950","Electricity","7"],["2027 BMW i5","$650","$850","Electricity","9"],["2027 BMW iX3","$650","$750","Electricity","5"],["2027 Chevrolet BOLT","$650","$650","Electricity","1"],["2026 Fiat 500e","$650","$700","Electricity","2"],["2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5","$650","$800","Electricity","5"],["2027 Kia EV3","$650","$750","Electricity","4"],["2026 Kia EV6","$650","$900","Electricity","5"],["2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS","$650","$950","Electricity","4"],["2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class","$650","$3,650","Electricity, Premium","7"],["2026 Nissan LEAF","$650","$750","Electricity","3"],["2025 Polestar 2","$650","$850","Electricity","5"],["2027 Subaru Solterra","$650","$650","Electricity","2"],["2027 Subaru Trailseeker","$650","$700","Electricity","2"],["2025 Toyota bZ4X","$650","$700","Electricity","5"],["2027 Toyota C-HR","$650","$650","Electricity","1"],["2026 Volkswagen ID.4","$650","$750","Electricity","2"],["2026 Volvo EX30","$650","$850","Electricity","4"],["2027 Volvo EX60","$650","$750","Electricity","4"],["2027 Cadillac OPTIQ","$700","$900","Electricity","6"],["2027 Chevrolet Equinox","$700","$2,500","Electricity, Regular","4"],["2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E","$700","$900","Electricity","6"],["2027 Genesis GV60","$700","$950","Electricity","4"],["2027 Lucid Gravity","$700","$800","Electricity","7"],["2025 Mercedes-Benz EQB","$700","$850","Electricity","3"],["2026 Porsche Macan","$700","$4,200","Electricity, Premium","11"],["2027 Rivian R2","$700","$750","Electricity","2"],["2027 Tesla Model 3","$700","$700","Electricity","1"],["2026 Tesla Model X","$700","$750","Electricity","2"],["2027 Tesla Model Y","$700","$700","Electricity","1"],["2026 Volvo EC40","$700","$800","Electricity","2"]],"methodology":["Read the EPA annual fuel-cost field for every retained configuration.","Calculate each family’s minimum and maximum positive annual-cost estimate.","Sort by the lowest configuration estimate and publish the first 40 families."],"definitions":["EPA uses standardized mileage and energy-price assumptions for comparison.","A family minimum may apply to only one powertrain or drivetrain.","Personal cost should be recalculated with local prices and annual miles."],"keyTakeaways":["The lowest published minimum in this snapshot is $500 per year for 2027 Lucid Air.","All 40 published families fall between $500 and $800 per year across their configurations.","EPA uses standardized annual mileage and national energy prices, so your figure will differ.","A family minimum may apply to only one configuration in that family."],"analysis":[{"title":"What this number actually represents","paragraphs":["EPA's annual fuel-cost estimate is a comparison instrument, not a budget. It applies a fixed annual mileage assumption and national average energy prices to a standardized test result, so every vehicle is measured the same way.","That standardization is exactly what makes the ranking meaningful and exactly what makes the absolute figure wrong for any individual. Your annual mileage, your local electricity or fuel price, and your driving pattern all move the real number."],"points":["Standardized annual mileage, not your mileage","National average energy prices, not your utility rate or local pump price","A test-cycle result, not your commute","Useful for ranking vehicles against each other, not for forecasting a bill"]},{"title":"Why electricity dominates the low end","paragraphs":["Every fuel category represented in this table, Electricity, Electricity, Premium, Electricity, Regular, reflects what the lowest-cost configurations in the current market run on.","Electric drivetrains convert a much larger share of stored energy into motion than combustion engines do, and electricity is priced per kilowatt-hour instead of per gallon. The combination is what puts battery-electric vehicles at the bottom of a cost-per-year ranking even when their purchase price is higher."],"points":["Drivetrain efficiency, not just energy price, drives the result","Home charging at off-peak rates can beat the national average assumption substantially","Public DC fast charging often costs considerably more per unit of energy","Regional electricity prices vary far more than gasoline prices do"]},{"title":"Reading the spread within a family","paragraphs":["The gap between a family's lowest and highest estimate shows how much the configuration you choose matters. In this snapshot 2026 Porsche Macan shows the widest spread, from $700 to $4,200.","Battery size, drivetrain, wheel and tire fitment and body style all move efficiency within one nameplate. A family that looks inexpensive at its minimum can be meaningfully more expensive in the configuration a buyer actually wants."],"points":["The minimum often belongs to the most efficient single configuration","Larger wheels and all-wheel drive typically raise consumption","Compare the configuration you intend to buy, not the family headline","The configuration count column shows how many records sit behind the range"]},{"title":"What this table leaves out","paragraphs":["Energy cost is one line in the cost of ownership. Depreciation is usually the largest single expense over the first several years, and insurance, maintenance, tires and financing all vary widely between vehicles that look similar here.","Electric vehicles typically carry lower scheduled maintenance costs, no oil changes, less brake wear from regenerative braking, but tires can wear faster on heavier vehicles, and home charging equipment is an upfront cost this table does not capture."]}],"faqs":[{"q":"Which vehicle has the lowest annual energy cost?","a":"In this snapshot the lowest published minimum is $500 per year for 2027 Lucid Air. That is an EPA standardized estimate, not a prediction of what any individual will pay."},{"q":"Will I actually pay this amount per year?","a":"Almost certainly not exactly. EPA applies a fixed annual mileage assumption and national average energy prices. Your mileage, local rates and driving pattern all change the real figure."},{"q":"Why are electric vehicles at the top of the list?","a":"Electric drivetrains convert far more stored energy into motion than combustion engines, and electricity is priced per kilowatt-hour, not per gallon. Both effects push cost per mile down."},{"q":"Does the lowest estimate apply to every version of that model?","a":"No. A family minimum may apply to only one configuration. Battery size, drivetrain and wheel fitment all move efficiency within one nameplate, so check the configuration you intend to buy."},{"q":"Is energy cost the main cost of owning a car?","a":"No. Depreciation is usually the largest single expense over the first several years, and insurance, maintenance, tires and financing all vary widely between vehicles."}]},{"slug":"configuration-complexity-by-make","number":"007","title":"Configuration complexity by vehicle make","description":"A reproducible measure of how many EPA certification records and labels sit behind the average current model family for each make.","finding":"The snapshot contains 3.5 certification records per normalized family overall.","columns":["Make","Families","Configurations","EPA labels","Configurations per family"],"rows":[["Ram","1","12","5","12.0"],["Porsche","6","71","63","11.8"],["GMC","6","55","38","9.2"],["Rivian","3","26","26","8.7"],["Lucid","2","15","15","7.5"],["Ford","11","67","47","6.1"],["Chevrolet","12","72","56","6.0"],["Land Rover","3","15","15","5.0"],["Toyota","21","94","76","4.5"],["BMW","25","111","109","4.4"],["Cadillac","10","44","32","4.4"],["Polestar","3","13","13","4.3"],["Kia","12","49","44","4.1"],["Hyundai","12","48","44","4.0"],["Mercedes-Benz","16","56","56","3.5"],["Dodge","3","10","7","3.3"],["Lexus","12","40","38","3.3"],["MINI","3","10","10","3.3"],["Honda","10","31","24","3.1"],["Jaguar","1","3","3","3.0"],["Jeep","8","24","16","3.0"],["Mazda","7","21","12","3.0"],["Nissan","12","35","32","2.9"],["Acura","6","17","15","2.8"],["Genesis","6","17","14","2.8"],["Rolls-Royce","4","11","11","2.8"],["Maserati","6","15","15","2.5"],["Mitsubishi","2","5","4","2.5"],["Volkswagen","8","19","19","2.4"],["Volvo","12","29","29","2.4"],["Lincoln","4","9","9","2.3"],["Subaru","11","25","21","2.3"],["Bentley","3","6","6","2.0"],["Buick","4","8","8","2.0"],["Fiat","1","2","2","2.0"],["INEOS Automotive","1","2","2","2.0"],["Tesla","5","10","10","2.0"],["Audi","33","58","58","1.8"],["Infiniti","5","8","8","1.6"],["Chrysler","2","3","3","1.5"],["Alfa Romeo","4","5","5","1.3"],["Ferrari","12","15","15","1.3"],["Vinfast","4","5","5","1.3"],["Aston Martin","7","8","8","1.1"],["Bugatti","1","1","1","1.0"],["Bugatti Rimac","1","1","1","1.0"],["Lamborghini","2","2","2","1.0"],["Lotus","1","1","1","1.0"]],"methodology":["Group every retained certification row by make.","Divide configuration count by normalized family count.","Retain the EPA model/option-label count as a separate observable measure."],"definitions":["Complexity here means certification-row density, not mechanical difficulty or trim count.","EPA labels are not marketed trims.","A high value can reflect bodies, engines, tires, drives or efficiency test distinctions."],"keyTakeaways":["The snapshot averages 3.5 certification records per normalized model family.","Ram sits highest at 12.0 records per family; Lotus sits lowest at 1.0.","14 of 48 makes sit above the overall average.","Complexity here means certification-row density, not mechanical difficulty or marketed trim count."],"analysis":[{"title":"What a certification record is","paragraphs":["EPA certifies configurations, not trims. A single model family generates a separate record whenever a combination of engine, transmission, drivetrain, body or test-relevant equipment produces a different efficiency result.","That means the count reflects how many technically distinct versions exist, which is related to but not the same as how many trims a buyer sees on a configurator. A make can offer many trim names over few certification records, or few trim names over many records."],"points":["Records separate on powertrain, drivetrain, body and test-relevant equipment","Marketed trim names do not appear in certification data","Two trims with identical mechanicals can share one record","One trim offered with several powertrains generates several records"]},{"title":"Why the extremes look the way they do","paragraphs":["Ram leads at 12.0 records per family across 1 families. A very high ratio over a small number of families usually indicates a lineup built as a few nameplates offered in many battery, drivetrain and wheel combinations, not as many distinct models.","Lotus sits at the other end with 1.0. A ratio near one typically belongs to a make with a small, tightly specified lineup, often performance or specialty vehicles where a single configuration is the whole offering."],"points":["A high ratio can reflect configurability instead of lineup size","A low ratio often reflects specialty positioning, not limited engineering","Compare the families column alongside the ratio","The EPA label count is a separate observable, not a trim count"]},{"title":"Why this matters when shopping","paragraphs":["A make with high configuration density gives a buyer more ways to get exactly the vehicle they want, and more ways to end up with something subtly different from what they researched.","Efficiency, towing capacity, payload and range can all change between configurations that share a name. This is the practical reason to verify figures against the specific configuration, not the nameplate, and why the window sticker matters more than the brochure."],"points":["Configuration differences change efficiency, capacity and range within one name","Research a nameplate, verify the configuration","Higher density means more chances for a mismatch between listing and vehicle","The original window sticker is the authoritative record of what was built"]},{"title":"Reading this alongside the label column","paragraphs":["The EPA model and option label count is recorded separately because it measures something different: how many distinct descriptive labels the manufacturer supplied, instead of how many efficiency-distinct configurations exist.","When label count exceeds record count, a make is describing more variants than the test results distinguish. When record count exceeds label count, technically distinct versions are being described under shared labels. Neither is a defect; both are useful context for how much a name tells you."]}],"faqs":[{"q":"What does configuration complexity mean here?","a":"Certification-row density: how many EPA-certified configurations sit behind the average model family for each make. It is not mechanical difficulty and it is not a count of marketed trims."},{"q":"How many configurations does the average model family have?","a":"This snapshot averages 3.5 certification records per normalized model family, with 14 of 48 makes above that average."},{"q":"Is a high configuration count good or bad?","a":"Neither by itself. It means more ways to get exactly the vehicle you want, and more ways to end up with something subtly different from what you researched. Verify the configuration instead of the nameplate."},{"q":"Why don't trim names appear in this data?","a":"EPA certifies configurations based on efficiency-relevant differences, not on marketing. Two trims with identical mechanicals can share one record, and one trim offered with several powertrains generates several."},{"q":"What is the difference between configurations and EPA labels?","a":"Configurations are efficiency-distinct certification rows. EPA labels are the descriptive model and option names the manufacturer supplied. They measure different things and are reported separately."}]},{"slug":"vehicle-class-market-map","number":"008","title":"EPA vehicle-class market map","description":"How current model families, makes, certification records and option labels distribute across EPA regulatory vehicle classes.","finding":"The current snapshot uses 20 distinct EPA vehicle-class labels.","columns":["EPA vehicle class","Families","Makes","Configurations","Model/option labels"],"rows":[["Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","93","33","304","276"],["Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","87","35","315","273"],["Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","53","21","208","195"],["Midsize Cars","37","20","127","111"],["Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","34","19","148","114"],["Compact Cars","28","16","124","112"],["Two Seaters","26","14","80","66"],["Large Cars","22","13","81","70"],["Subcompact Cars","21","10","78","74"],["Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD","16","10","150","114"],["Small Station Wagons","14","12","31","31"],["Minicompact Cars","13","10","46","42"],["Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD","10","7","112","80"],["Midsize Station Wagons","9","5","27","25"],["Minivan - 2WD","6","5","10","10"],["Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD","5","4","63","46"],["Minivan - 4WD","3","3","6","6"],["Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD","2","2","56","39"],["Small Pickup Trucks 2WD","2","2","17","13"],["Small Pickup Trucks 4WD","2","2","17","13"]],"methodology":["Retain every distinct EPA vehicle-class label in the current family snapshot.","Count a multi-class family in each class it contains.","Calculate make, configuration and model/option-label totals from the same family records."],"definitions":["EPA regulatory classes do not always match consumer marketing segments.","Because a family can span classes, family totals across rows are not additive.","Make count is distinct within the class row."],"keyTakeaways":["The current snapshot uses 20 distinct EPA vehicle-class labels.","The largest single class is Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD with 93 families from 33 makes.","Sport-utility class rows together account for 267 family entries across 4 classes.","A family can span several classes, so the family column does not sum to the market total."],"analysis":[{"title":"Regulatory classes are not marketing segments","paragraphs":["EPA assigns vehicle classes for regulatory and comparison purposes using measurable criteria: interior volume for cars, and body type and drivetrain for utility vehicles and trucks. Marketing segments are defined by manufacturers and publications using price, positioning and perceived competitors.","The two frequently disagree. A vehicle marketed as a midsize crossover can certify in a small sport-utility class, and two vehicles cross-shopped against each other can sit in different regulatory classes entirely."],"points":["Car classes are based largely on interior volume","Utility and truck classes separate by body type and drivetrain","Marketing segment names have no regulatory definition","Cross-shopped vehicles frequently sit in different EPA classes"]},{"title":"Why the family counts do not add up","paragraphs":["Adding the family column across all 20 rows gives 483, which exceeds the 344 families in the snapshot. That is not an error: it is the direct consequence of a normalized family spanning multiple classes.","A model offered in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive form appears in both corresponding class rows. A model offered in more than one body configuration can appear in more than two. Each row is correct for the class it describes; only the total is non-additive."],"points":["Two-wheel and four-wheel versions certify in separate classes","A family counted in three classes appears three times in this column","Make counts are distinct within each class row","Configuration and label totals are calculated from the same family records"]},{"title":"What the distribution shows","paragraphs":["Sport-utility classifications dominate: 4 of the 20 class labels are sport-utility categories, together carrying 267 family entries.","That concentration is the clearest structural fact in the current market. It shapes what is available, what gets redesigned, and where manufacturers invest, and it means a buyer looking outside those classes has a materially smaller field to choose from than the raw family count suggests."],"points":["Utility classifications carry the largest share of families","Drivetrain splits multiply the number of utility class labels","Smaller classes can still contain highly configurable families","Configuration count shows depth within a class, family count shows breadth"]},{"title":"Using classes to compare fairly","paragraphs":["Class is the right basis for an efficiency comparison, because EPA's own ratings and its fuel economy comparisons are organized around it. Comparing a small sport-utility against a standard one on consumption alone rewards the smaller vehicle for being smaller.","For a purchase decision, class is a starting filter, not a conclusion. Two vehicles in the same class can differ substantially in cargo volume, towing capacity and interior packaging, all of which sit outside what the classification measures."]}],"faqs":[{"q":"How many EPA vehicle classes are in the current market?","a":"This snapshot uses 20 distinct EPA vehicle-class labels, with Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD the largest at 93 families from 33 makes."},{"q":"Why don't the family counts add up to the market total?","a":"A normalized family can span several classes, two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions certify separately, for example, so each row is correct for its class while the column total exceeds the market family count."},{"q":"Is an EPA class the same as a marketing segment?","a":"No. EPA classes use measurable criteria such as interior volume, body type and drivetrain. Marketing segments are defined by price and positioning, and the two frequently disagree."},{"q":"Which class has the most model families?","a":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, with 93 families from 33 makes and 304 certification records."},{"q":"Should I shop by EPA class?","a":"Use it as a starting filter for fair efficiency comparison. Two vehicles in one class can differ substantially in cargo volume, towing capacity and packaging, none of which the classification measures."}]},{"slug":"premium-fuel-exposure-index","number":"009","title":"Premium-fuel exposure by vehicle make","description":"The makes and current families with at least one premium-designated fuel certification row.","finding":"170 current model families contain at least one premium-fuel designation.","columns":["Make","All families","Premium-designated families","Share","Example families"],"rows":[["Ferrari","12","12","100%","12Cilindri, 296 GTB, 296 GTS, 296 Speciale, 296 Speciale A"],["Aston Martin","7","7","100%","DB12 S, DB12 V8, DBX 707, DBX 727, Valhalla"],["Maserati","6","6","100%","Grancabrio, Granturismo, Grecale, GT2 Stradale, MC20"],["Infiniti","5","5","100%","QX50, QX55, QX60, QX65, QX80"],["Bentley","3","3","100%","Bentayga, Continental, Flying Spur"],["Land Rover","3","3","100%","Defender, Discovery, Range Rover"],["MINI","3","3","100%","Cooper, Countryman, John Cooper Works"],["Lamborghini","2","2","100%","Revuelto, Urus"],["Bugatti","1","1","100%","Mistral"],["INEOS Automotive","1","1","100%","Grenadier"],["Jaguar","1","1","100%","F-Pace"],["Ram","1","1","100%","1500"],["Lexus","12","10","83%","ES, GX, IS, LC, LS"],["Acura","6","5","83%","ADX, Integra, MDX, RDX, TLX"],["Genesis","6","5","83%","G70, G80, G90, GV70, GV80"],["Porsche","6","5","83%","718, 911, Cayenne, Macan, Panamera"],["Mercedes-Benz","16","13","81%","AMG GT, C-Class, CLA-Class, CLE-Class, E-Class"],["BMW","25","20","80%","2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series"],["Rolls-Royce","4","3","75%","Cullinan, Ghost, Phantom"],["Audi","33","23","70%","A3, A4, A5, A6, A7"],["Cadillac","10","6","60%","CT4, CT5, Escalade, XT4, XT5"],["Volvo","12","7","58%","S60, S90, V60, V90, XC40"],["Alfa Romeo","4","2","50%","Giulia, Stelvio"],["Mazda","7","3","43%","CX-70, CX-90, MX-5"],["Chevrolet","12","4","33%","Corvette, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe"],["GMC","6","2","33%","Sierra, Yukon"],["Dodge","3","1","33%","Durango"],["Nissan","12","3","25%","Armada, Pathfinder, Z"],["Toyota","21","5","24%","GR 86, GR Supra, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tundra"],["Ford","11","2","18%","F150, Mustang"],["Subaru","11","2","18%","BRZ, WRX"],["Jeep","8","1","13%","Wrangler"],["Volkswagen","8","1","13%","Golf/GTI"],["Honda","10","1","10%","Civic"],["Hyundai","12","1","8%","Elantra"]],"methodology":["Search every current configuration fuel description for a premium designation.","Count a family once when any configuration qualifies.","Sort by the share of that make’s current families, then qualifying-family count."],"definitions":["Exposure means at least one premium-designated configuration exists.","It does not prove premium is required for every engine or trim.","The owner’s manual controls required versus recommended octane for a specific vehicle."],"keyTakeaways":["170 of 344 current model families, 49%, contain at least one premium-designated fuel configuration.","12 makes show premium designation on every current family.","Exposure means at least one configuration qualifies, not that premium is required for every engine.","The owner's manual, not this table, determines whether premium is required or merely recommended."],"analysis":[{"title":"Required versus recommended","paragraphs":["This is the distinction that decides whether premium fuel is a running cost or an option. When a manufacturer states premium is required, the engine's compression ratio and boost levels depend on the higher octane rating, and using lower-octane fuel can force the knock-control system to retard timing continuously. Costing power and efficiency, and in some cases risking damage.","When premium is recommended, the engine is designed to run safely on regular fuel with slightly reduced output. The choice is then economic: whether the small performance and efficiency gain is worth the price difference at your local pump."],"points":["Required means the engine depends on the octane rating","Recommended means regular is safe with modestly reduced output","Knock sensors protect the engine but by reducing performance","The fuel filler door and owner's manual state which applies"]},{"title":"Why certification data cannot answer it","paragraphs":["EPA certification records the fuel a configuration was tested on. They do not carry the required-versus-recommended distinction, because that is a manufacturer instruction, not a test parameter.","That makes this table a map of where premium designations exist across the market, genuinely useful for narrowing a search, but not a substitute for checking the specific vehicle. A family appears here if any one of its configurations is premium-designated, including a performance engine that most buyers of that model will not order."],"points":["A family qualifies on a single configuration","A high-output engine can put an otherwise regular-fuel family on this list","Certification data carries no required-versus-recommended flag","Verify per vehicle, not per nameplate"]},{"title":"What premium exposure costs","paragraphs":["The price gap between regular and premium is not fixed. It varies by region and has widened over time as a proportion of the base price. Over a typical annual mileage, that gap compounds into a running cost worth including in a purchase comparison.","The concentration at the top of this table is unsurprising: Ferrari, Aston Martin, Maserati, Infiniti, Bentley and 7 others and other performance and luxury makes design engines around high octane. The more useful part of the table is the bottom, where a make such as Hyundai shows only 1 of 12 families with any premium designation at all."],"points":["Calculate the gap against your actual annual mileage","Regional price differences are substantial","A premium-required engine costs more to run for the vehicle's whole life","Compare the total running cost, not the pump price alone"]},{"title":"Octane is not quality","paragraphs":["Octane rating measures resistance to pre-ignition under compression. It is not a measure of cleanliness, energy content or engine protection, and higher octane provides no benefit at all in an engine designed for regular fuel.","Detergent additive levels are governed by separate standards that apply across grades, so buying premium in a regular-fuel engine does not clean anything that regular fuel would not. If a vehicle's manual specifies regular, the correct fuel is regular."]}],"faqs":[{"q":"How many vehicles require premium fuel?","a":"170 of 344 current model families, 49%, contain at least one premium-designated configuration. That is exposure, not a requirement count, since certification data does not record required versus recommended."},{"q":"What is the difference between premium required and premium recommended?","a":"Required means the engine's compression and boost depend on the higher octane. Recommended means regular is safe with modestly reduced output, making the choice economic instead of mechanical."},{"q":"Does this table mean every version of that model needs premium?","a":"No. A family qualifies if any single configuration is premium-designated, which can be a performance engine most buyers of that model will not order."},{"q":"Is premium fuel cleaner than regular?","a":"No. Octane measures resistance to pre-ignition, not cleanliness or energy content. Detergent additive standards apply across grades, so premium cleans nothing that regular does not."},{"q":"What happens if I use regular in a premium-required engine?","a":"The knock-control system retards timing to protect the engine, which reduces power and efficiency. Sustained use in an engine that requires premium is not what the manufacturer specified."}]}]}