“Are you freaking serious?”
There’s nothing quite like that new car feeling—the smell, the new technology, the still pristine interior.
But for one woman, the best part of her new Toyota was something far more practical: how much she’d now spend on gas. Her reaction to filling up from empty has struck a chord with drivers impressed by how low her bill came out to.
In a viral video with more than 259,000 views, content creator Kieran Elaine (@kieranxelaine1331) shares her shock at how little it costs to fill up her new Toyota.
“I wanna show you guys the most exciting part about the new car. Okay. You ready? Just wait. Just wait,” she says as she films the gas pump display.
The numbers go up steadily and then click off at a mere $22.61 for 10.28 gallons.
“Are you freaking serious? Twenty-two dollars, dude. That’s unreal, dude. That’s unreal,” she exclaims. “And that was from empty. Literally empty.”
“I’m shooookkk,” she adds in the caption.
The video captures a moment that anyone who’s upgraded from a gas-guzzler to a fuel-efficient vehicle understands. Depending on year and trim, Toyota Corollas average between roughly 30 and 40 mpg—and over 50 mpg for the hybrid—well above that of even a smaller SUV in most cases.
And at roughly $2.20 per gallon, Elaine is taking advantage of relatively low fuel prices compared to recent years when gas surged past $4 or even $5 per gallon in many areas.
According to CBS News, gas prices in 2026 are projected to average $2.97 per gallon nationally, down 13 cents from 2025 and the lowest level since 2020.
CNN confirms this forecast, noting that Americans are expected to spend $11 billion less at the pump than they did in 2025, translating to an average household spending of $2,083 on gas for the year, down from $2,716 in 2022.
The relief at the pump comes from multiple factors: strong refinery output, lower oil prices, robust crude production, and softer seasonal demand.
Oil prices have dropped significantly and crude is expected to average just $51 a barrel in 2026, down from $65 in 2025. While prices will fluctuate seasonally (peaking around $3.12 between spring and early summer before falling to $2.83 after June), the overall trend offers drivers a rare bright spot amid ongoing affordability concerns.
Regional differences matter, though. States like Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas are forecast to enjoy yearly average gas prices below $2.75 per gallon, while California, the Northeast, and cities like Chicago will see higher prices.
According to Car and Driver, sedans reign supreme when it comes to fuel economy.
Most sedans come with four-cylinder engines, which are always more efficient than the V-6 or V-8 engines found in SUVs. Even powerful sedans with V-6 engines tend to be more fuel-efficient on average because of the smaller, lighter vehicles they power.
If fuel economy is your priority, especially if you have a daily commute or are a frequent driver, a sedan’s efficiency can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually on gas alone.
People who commented on Elaine’s post were largely impressed.
“Downsizing from an SUV to a Corolla is wild,” one wrote.
“Def the best part [of] having a gas saver,” said a second.
“Now I’m seriously considering a Corolla,” another wrote.
Motor1 reached out to Elaine for comment via email and Instagram direct message. We’ll update this if she responds.
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– The Motor1.com Team