Top Fuel Brands For Optimal Car Performance

Choosing the right gasoline brand for your vehicle can significantly impact its performance and efficiency. Each brand offers different formulations that may contain additives intended to keep your engine clean and running smoothly. When considering which one to opt for, it's crucial to balance affordability with quality to ensure optimal engine health. Discover the top recommendations for the best gasoline brands to keep your car in peak condition below.

Illustration of gas for your car

Best brands of gas for your car in 2025

Shell

Shell, a top-tier fuel provider, is known for its high-quality gasoline that includes special detergent additives, helping to reduce carbon buildup in your engine and improve performance, with 15% of consumers choosing Shell, making it the most popular gas brand. Their fuels contain more than twice the cleaning agents required by the Canadian government, which helps improve fuel economy. Shell's V-Power NiTRO+ premium gasoline is available in select regions for those looking for enhanced performance, and they have over 47,000 retail stations worldwide, serving around 33 million customers daily.

ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil, a leading producer in the oil and gas industry since 1882, provides Synergy™ gasoline, which contains significantly more detergents than EPA requirements, ensuring better engine performance and potentially improving gas mileage, with their premium Synergy Supreme+ fuel keeping engines three times cleaner. In 2023, ExxonMobil's natural gas production reached 7.7 billion cubic feet per day worldwide, with 2.3 billion cubic feet per day produced in the U.S. alone, making them a major supplier of fuel for vehicles across the globe. Additionally, ExxonMobil's production increased 5.55% in February 2022 compared to the previous month. The company also has an extensive global position in liquefied natural gas, with the PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea reaching a production of 8.3 million tonnes per year.

Chevron

Chevron, a leading gasoline producer, is known for its high-quality fuel, which includes the Techron additive that helps remove up to 50% of harmful carbon deposits within 4,500 miles of driving, enhancing engine performance and fuel efficiency. Chevron's regular unleaded gasoline meets ASTM D4814 standards, and may contain up to 10% ethanol. Their fuels are certified using approved ASTM standards with a minimum octane rating of 87, ensuring compliance and optimal engine operation. Some users have reported better mileage, around 7-10%, when using Chevron gas over other brands. With a history of over 100 years, Chevron is a reliable option for consumers looking for a dependable fuel. For more information about their products and to locate a nearby station, visit their official website.

BP

BP is a leading gas producer with over 100 years of experience, offering quality fuels like bp Ultimate with Active Technology, which has won awards for its engine performance enhancing properties. Their fuels exceed TOP TIER™ detergent standards, cleaning engines while you drive and providing more miles per tank, making them a reliable choice for your car's needs.

Valero

Valero, founded in 1980, is a major American fuel producer, operating 15 refineries with a 3.2 million barrels per day capacity, and is a leading producer of renewable fuels with 1.2 billion gallons per year of renewable diesel and 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol production capacity, offering TOP TIER™ certified gasoline to customers globally; despite some past violations in 2015 regarding fuel quality, Valero has committed to environmental protection and currently holds approximately 9.28% of the market share as of Q3 2024.

Phillips 66

Phillips 66, a major American energy company with roots dating back to 1927, is a well-regarded gasoline producer, offering TOP TIER™ fuel that contains three times more detergent than the minimum EPA requirement, and 30% more than the TOP TIER standard, ensuring optimal engine performance and cleanliness; in 2022 Phillips 66 had a 4.5% market share in petroleum refining in the US, and as of December 9, 2024, their market cap was $51.87 billion, demonstrating their significant presence in the energy sector; this company is committed to fuel supply reliability through its integrated network and is recognized for its high-quality gasoline that helps improve a car's performance.

Marathon

Marathon, established in 1887, stands as a major US petroleum company with a 20.6% market share in the refining industry, providing Top Tier certified gasoline with double the EPA required detergent additives, which helps improve fuel economy and engine performance; the company operates over 7,200 service stations, and their gasoline products include 87, 89, and 93 octane options, ensuring high quality and reduced emissions; Marathon, which became an independent company in 2011, also has a market capitalization of $51.73 Billion as of December 2024, showcasing its significant presence in the market.

Costco

Costco's Kirkland Signature gasoline is a Top Tier fuel, exceeding EPA standards with five times the required detergent additives, ensuring optimal engine performance and cleanliness. This high-quality gas, available in regular and premium grades, is often sold at lower prices than other stations, making it a great value for members. According to a 2022 study by Consumer Reports, Top Tier gas is worth the extra cost, but Costco provides it at a competitive price, and they are the only warehouse club to offer this level of quality.

Sunoco

Sunoco, a brand with a history dating back to 1886, is a leading fuel distributor in the U.S., supplying over 8.5 billion gallons of fuel annually across more than 40 states and is the official fuel of NASCAR, demonstrating their commitment to quality and performance; Sunoco's fuels meet TOP TIER standards and exceed EPA standards, offering multiple octane grades, including their Ultra 94 introduced in 1983, while also focusing on high-detergent fuel blends, like UltraTech, which helps vehicles run cleaner. Sunoco's market cap as of December 2024 is at approximately $7.07 billion. You can find more information on their products and services.

Texaco

Texaco, founded in 1902 as the "Texas Fuel Company," has been a reliable gasoline provider for over a century, offering fuels with Techron, which is proven to remove up to 50% of harmful carbon deposits in as little as 4,500 miles, helping to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and keep engines performing at their best; with a history of innovation, Texaco became the first US oil company to sell its gasoline nationwide under one brand in 1928, and continues to provide high-quality fuel options like Supreme Unleaded and Supreme Diesel.