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Following are my top picks for reasonably available new and used fuel efficient vehicles. Bear the following in mind:
- I'm a very opinionated "car guy" and these choices reflect my biases. Not everyone will agree, and that's life.
- I have a very strong bias towards wagons and hatchbacks. They are a lot more versatile and practical than their sedan counterparts in the same size class. By ditching the trunk you may be able to fit yourself, your stuff and your family into a "smaller" vehicle than otherwise, saving fuel.
- Remember that in 2008 the EPA redesigned their fuel economy tests from the methodology used from 1985-2007, and on their website they adjusted the figures for 1985-2007 models substantially downward to reflect an approximation of how they would do under the 2008 tests.
- The fuel economy numbers I am listing are the 2008 combined ratings shown on the EPA website, which are usually close to the 1985-2007 city figures. These figures are only for comparing one model to another. A skilled driver can achieve much higher numbers.
- When available I am showing the mpg ratings for Manual Transmission models. The penalty for an automatic is typically 2-3 mpg except as noted.
|
Wagons
My favorites |
VW Jetta Wagon
(gas or diesel)
(2001-2006, 2009)
 |
Plus: VW driving dynamics, comfort and design; Minus: VW reliability.
VW diesels are especially fun to drive and get better mileage than almost all econoboxes.
Even the gas version posts respectable fuel economy for a car of its size. I currently drive a gas Jetta Wagon, and average about 32 mpg with it.
|
$-$$$
39 mpg (2002-03 TDI manual)
34 mpg (2004-06, 09 TDI manual)
32-33 mpg (TDI auto)
24 mpg (gas manual) |
Ford Focus Wagon
(2002-2007)
 |
2007 model gets the best mileage. Earlier versions of the Zetec engine got lower mileage, and the wagon was dropped for 2008. Be aware that the higher-mpg 2-valve non-Zetec models shown on the EPA website were never actually produced.
Packs as much interior space as a Subaru or Volvo wagon into a smaller outside package.
|
$-$$
27 mpg (2007)
24 mpg (2001-06) |
VW Passat Wagon
(2000-present) |
About the same size as a Subaru or Volvo wagon, but with mileage nearly as good as the gas Jetta wagon.
|
$-$$
23-24 mpg |
Mazda5
(2006-present)
 |
Seats 6! This is a real minivan. The seats fold down just like on the not-so-mini-vans, and it's available in a stickshift!
Much more fun to drive than a conventional minivan, costs just $18k brand spankin' new and is way easier to park. Are you sure you need one of those big boxes?
|
$$
22-24 mpg |
Other good choices |
Ford Escape Hybrid
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Mazda Tribute Hybrid
(2005-present) |
The highest mileage SUVs on the planet, using Ford-developed hybrid technology similar to Toyota's.
Escape and Tribute are available in more efficient 2WD editions. With good winter tires you don't need 4WD.
|
$$$
30 mpg (2WD)
27 mpg (4WD) |
Volvo 850/V70 Wagon
(1995-present) |
Comfortable and spacious family wagons with slightly better mileage than Subarus.
Available in the used market at many different age/price points.
|
$-$$$
22 mpg |
Ford Taurus Wagon
(1998-2005) |
Seats 7, but gets better mileage than most 7-passenger minivans and SUVs.
Very affordable in the used market.
|
$-$$
19 mpg |
|
Hatchbacks
My favorites |
Toyota Prius
(2nd & 3rd gen)
(2004-present)
 |
The hybrid car, with Toyota's ingenious Hybrid Synergy Drive. Over a million sold.
The hatchback makes it dramatically more practical than a standard sedan.
The third generation is due later in 2009 as a 2010 model and promises to be larger, more powerful, more fuel efficient - and more expensive.
|
$$$
46 mpg (2004-2009)
?? mpg (2010) |
Honda Insight
(2nd generation)
(2010)
 |
Honda's answer to the look-at-me-I'm-green Prius, due in spring 2009.
Based on the excellent Honda Fit platform (see below).
Smaller than the Prius, but similar shape and same hatchback practicality.
The least expensive hybrid, expected to start under $19,000.
|
$$
43 mpg
(estimated) |
Honda Fit
(2007-present)
 |
Clever design makes it far roomier inside than seems possible from the outside.
Honda fit, finish, quality, performance, reliability and resale value.
I want one.
|
$$
31 mpg |
Toyota Matrix
Pontiac Vibe
(2003-present)
 |
2003-present.
These twins are basically mini-wagon versions of the Corolla.
Toyota fit, finish, quality, reliability and resale value.
2003-2008 models are roomier and get better fuel economy than the 2nd generation.
|
$-$$
29 mpg (2wd, 4cyl) |
Other good choices |
VW Golf TDI
(2000-2006) |
Plus: VW driving dynamics, comfort and design; Minus: VW reliability.
VW diesels are especially fun to drive and get better mileage than almost all econoboxes.
My wife drives one.
In a fuel economy competition I achieved 61.8 mpg in this car over a 91 mile course.
|
$$
38 mpg (2002-03 manual)
35 mpg (2004-06 manual)
32-33 mpg (auto) |
Scion xA
(2004-2008)
Scion xB
(2004-2007)
Scion xD
(2008-present) |
Basic, solid econoboxes designed and built by Toyota.
Make sure you can live with the center-mount gauges.
|
$-$$
30 mpg (xA, xD)
28 mpg (xB 1st gen)
24 mpg (xB 2nd gen) |
Nissan Versa
(2007-present) |
Another great 5 door in an affordable package.
Excellent for automatic fans, as the CVT automatic model actually does slightly better than the manual.
|
$$
28-29 mpg |
Dodge Caliber
Jeep Compass
Jeep Patriot
(2007-present) |
Affordable as new cars go, and better mileage than any other non-hybrid SUV.
|
$$
25-26 mpg |
|
Sedans
My favorites |
Honda Civic Hybrid
(2003-present)
 |
Honda's hybrid technology is much simpler than Toyota's but nearly as effective.
Lower fuel economy than the Prius in town, but higher on the highway.
|
$-$$$
40-42 mpg |
Ford Fusion Hybrid
Mercury Milan Hybrid
(2010)
 |
Ford finally brings its excellent hybrid technology to a car!
Same size as the Camry and Altima hybrids, but blows them away on fuel economy.
|
$$$
39 mpg |
Honda Civic Sedan
(all years)
 |
Year after year, effectively ties with the Toyota Corolla as the best compact sedan.
Like the Corolla, has always had reliably good mileage with their standard engine every year it has been made.
|
$-$$
30 mpg (base engine) |
Other good choices |
Toyota Prius
(first generation)
(2001-2003) |
Slower and smaller than the Civic Hybrid or the newer Prius, but still beats almost everything else for mileage.
Toyota dependability even as they age -- one early Prius has already passed 300,000 miles on its original battery pack.
|
$
41 mpg |
VW Jetta TDI
(2000-2006, 2009) |
Plus: VW driving dynamics, comfort and design; Minus: VW reliability.
VW diesels are especially fun to drive and get better mileage than almost all econoboxes.
|
$-$$$
38 mpg (2002-03 manual)
35 mpg (2004-06, 09 manual)
32-33 mpg (auto) |
Toyota Camry Hybrid
(2007-present) |
Prius technology with a bigger cabin (but a smaller cargo space).
|
$$$
34 mpg |
Nissan Altima Hybrid
(2008-present) |
Same size, fuel economy and technology as the Camry Hybrid.
|
$$$
34 mpg |
Toyota Yaris
(2007-present) |
Available as a 4-door sedan or a 3-door hatchback. For 2009, also available as a 5-door hatchback.
|
$$
32 mpg |
Toyota Corolla
(all years) |
Year after year, effectively ties with the Honda Civic as the best compact sedan.
Like the Civic, has always had reliably good mileage with their standard engine every year it has been made.
|
$-$$
30 mpg (base engine) |
Ford Focus Sedan
(2001-present) |
An economy car with midsize passenger space.
For 2001-2004 models, avoid the thirsty Zetec engine and get the 2-valve model.
2005 and later PZEV models do as well as the earlier 2-valve.
|
$-$$
26-28 mpg |
Honda Accord (4cyl)
(1992-present) |
The best non-hybrid family sedan on the market.
Available in a manual transmission for best fuel economy.
|
$-$$$
26 mpg (2003-07)
24-25 mpg (1992-2002) |
|
Coupes
My favorites |
Honda Insight
(first generation)
(2000-2006)
 |
The most fuel efficient gas car ever sold in America.
Capable of 70-80 mpg in normal driving, 100-120 mpg under optimum conditions.
If your lifestyle and budget allow for a tiny commuter car, get one!
|
$-$$
53 mpg |
Honda Civic HX
(1996-2003)
 |
A Civic Coupe with Honda's special lean-burn VTEC-E engine.
More power and better fuel economy than the base engine.
Available in 5-speed manual or a somewhat thirstier CVT automatic.
|
$-$$
34-36 mpg (manual)
31-32 mpg (CVT automatic) |
Other good choices |
Smart Fortwo
(2008-present) |
Premium fuel required.
60 mpg diesel version is also available in Canada.
|
$$
36 mpg |
Mini Cooper
(2007-present)
Mini Clubman
(2008-present)
(base models only) |
Premium fuel required.
Pre-2007 versions get lower fuel economy.
Convertible and "S" models also get lower fuel economy.
|
$$$
31-32 mpg |
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Trucks
If you really need one |
Subaru Forester
(1998-present) |
Reality check: with good winter tires, almost no one needs 4WD and lots of ground clearance.
If you really need a small SUV, the Forester is the best one, and still available with a manual transmission.
|
$-$$
21 mpg |
Ford Ranger
Mazda B2300
(2WD, 4 cylinder)
(1992-present) |
Reality check: If you aren't in construction, consider whether you really even need a pickup. For most people, it's smarter to buy a more fuel-efficient (and better-performing) car and rent a truck from U-Haul or Home Depot a couple times a year as needed.
These twins have been the most fuel efficient (and best designed) pickups offered in America for many years running.
Plenty of ground clearance to reach any trailhead. Even without 4WD, these things are rugged!
|
$-$$
23 mpg |
Toyota Tacoma
(4WD, 4 cylinder)
(1992-present) |
Reality check: Unless you regularly drive in muddy construction sites, haul boats up slick ramps, pull a heavy trailer or drive on unplowed roads in winter, you probably don't really need 4WD. Get the Ranger/B2300, some good tires and a set of chains, and give the planet a little help, OK?
If you really need a 4WD truck, then this is the most fuel efficient choice and will serve most people just as well as a fullsize pickup unless you pull a very large trailer.
|
$-$$$
17-19 mpg |
Dodge/
Mercedes/
Freightliner
Sprinter
(2003-present) |
Not rated by the EPA but most drivers report fuel economy in the upper teens in town and low 20s on the highway.
Available in 3 lengths and 2 roof heights, in both passenger and cargo configurations.
Even the smallest passenger configuration seats 9. If you have a large family, consider this instead of a minivan, Suburban or Expedition.
|
$$$$
18-20 mpg |
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Links
- cleanmpg.com, founded by Wayne Gerdes (the godfather of Hypermiling), is a wealth of information on driving for fuel economy. If you have additional questions about the techniques I've described, register for the forums on this website and ask away, and it's one of the nicest groups of people on any Internet forum.
- mpg.html on this website describes my techniques for saving fuel.
- fueleconomy.gov is the source for specific fuel economy ratings of vehicles going back to 1985.
- edmunds.com is the best place for general reseach on cars going back to 1990, and has a Green Car Guide full of excellent articles related fo fuel economy.
- gassavers.org is another good source of fuel economy information.
- Numerous sites for specific fuel efficient cars, such as priuschat.com, tdiclub.com, fitfreak.net, metrompg.com, yarisworld.com and insightcentral.net have active discussion boards related to fuel economy.
- The Tufts Climate Initiative issued ratings of carbon offset companies in 2007. Native Energy and Atmosfair are among the recommended choices.
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