20 MPG combined isn’t the main reason someone buys a 2024 Porsche 911 Carrera 4. It’s simply what you get when you drive one of the most iconic and exhilarating sports cars. Buyers in this segment want performance, driving experience, and heritage. Fuel efficiency isn’t irrelevant, but it’s not a high priority. They know they’ll be going to the gas station more if they want rapid acceleration, and they accept that.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2024 911 Carrera 4 gets 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The city number shows how urban driving, with its constant stops and starts, affects the 3.0L turbocharged flat-six engine. The highway estimate indicates the improved efficiency when cruising at consistent speeds, allowing for longer distances between fill-ups. Getting that 24 MPG requires some restraint, which might be hard for 911 owners.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2024 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is $2,900. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using average national fuel prices. Actual fuel costs will vary depending on driving habits, local fuel prices, and the type of fuel used. Most drivers use premium fuel, which will increase this annual expense.

Real-world expectations

Real-world fuel economy depends on how you drive, despite the EPA’s standardized estimate. If you often use the 911’s Sport or Sport Plus modes or drive aggressively, expect lower MPG than the EPA estimates. However, drivers who focus on saving gas and drive calmly might see numbers close to, or even better than, the official numbers. Hard acceleration will lower those EPA figures. For a deeper look, examine 911 MPG across all years.

How it compares

The 911 Carrera 4 is unique, but there are similar high-performance vehicles. The BMW M4 Competition xDrive, with similar performance, gets around 19 MPG combined. The Audi R8 V10 Performance Quattro, a direct competitor in terms of performance and price, gets around 16 MPG combined. The all-electric Taycan, within the Porsche family, offers a contrast, delivering the equivalent of around 79 MPG combined, showing the fuel-saving benefits of electric cars. People buying a 911 accept its fuel consumption because they want a unique driving experience.

See all Porsche fuel economy data.

Tips to maximize efficiency

While the 911 Carrera 4 isn’t made for fuel efficiency, owners can take steps to improve their MPG. Avoid idling, because the engine uses fuel even when the car isn’t moving. Let the engine warm up briefly, but don’t idle too long.

Use the automatic start/stop function carefully. It’s designed to save fuel in stop-and-go traffic, but it can be annoying and might not greatly improve MPG. Disable it if you expect frequent stops or want smoother driving.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which hurts fuel economy. Check the sticker on the driver’s side doorjamb for the recommended tire pressure and check it often.

Accelerate and brake smoothly. Avoid hard starts and sudden stops, because they use more fuel. Look ahead at traffic and maintain a consistent speed when you can.

When fuel efficiency is a priority, drive in the standard mode and don’t use Sport and Sport Plus modes too much. They improve performance but use more fuel. Save the sportier settings for fun drives.