Twenty-two percent of model year 2022 vehicles require premium gasoline.
Require.
Not “Premium Recommended.”
That, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy.
That number is actually part of a decline in number of vehicles requiring 91 (or higher) octane that started in 2019.
As in:
- 2019: 29%
- 2020: 28%
- 2021: 26%
The last time it was 22% was 2016.
According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of premium fuel is $5.65.
The average price for regular is $4.95.
That’s a 70-cent difference.
So for a 20-gallon fill, that’s a difference of $14.
Of course, those who buy vehicles that require premium can probably afford premium.
Until they can’t.
shinymetalboxes 
Not everyone who needs, or even prefers premium can afford it, unfortunately. It is “recommended” for our 2008 Mazda Miata, paid off now for nearly nine years. I think the high-test, as my dad used to call it, adds about 5 hp, not trivial from a 167 hp (max) 2.0L. Good thing is most fill-ups are 10-12 gallons, so $7-8.40.
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