Following are my top picks for reasonably available new and used fuel efficient vehicles based on various criteria. Bear the following in mind:

• I'm a very opinionated "car guy" and these choices reflect my biases. Take the recommendations with a grain of salt.
• One very strong bias of mine is towards wagons and hatchbacks, which are a lot more versatile and practical than their sedan counterparts in the same size class. In other words, if you get over your pro-trunk bias you may be able to fit yourself, your stuff and your family into a smaller class of 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 figure shown on the EPA website, which is usually close to the 1985-2007 city figure. Your mileage may vary: a skilled driver can achieve much better numbers, but these figures will give you the best idea of how different vehicles compare to each other in fuel economy.
• For the most part I am listing the mileage ratings for Manual Transmission models, except for most hybrids. The mileage penalty for an automatic is typically 2-3 mpg except as noted.

Medium Wagons

	VW Jetta Wagon 2001-2006, and being reintroduced as the "Jetta SportWagon" for 2009. The TDI diesel version of this car gets fantastic fuel economy and has a loyal following. 2002-2006 diesels were only rated for 90-100 hp, but have far more torque than the gas engine and accelerate slightly faster around town. The gas version's fuel economy is disappointing in comparison to the diesel, but still competitive for a wagon of its size -- and in the used market can be obtained for half the price of the diesel. I currently drive the gas version of this car, and have averaged over 30 mpg with it. After buying a Golf TDI, we decided a second diesel wasn't in our budget. Note that the automatic versions of 2002-2003 TDIs had different engines and got much lower fuel economy than the manual models.	$$$-$$$$$ 39 mpg (2002-03 TDI manual) 34 mpg (2004-06, 2009 TDI manual) 32-33 mpg (TDI auto) 24 mpg (gas manual)
	Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2005-present. Best-mileage SUV ever sold in the USA. Uses a hybrid system very similar to Toyota's. The most popular vehicle among the 2008 Presidential candidates. Mariner is 4WD only. Reality check: Better to learn how to drive in the snow and get the cheaper Escape or Tribute 2WD. Then you can use the savings to buy a decent set of snow tires, plus save 10% on gas.	$$$$$ 30 mpg (2WD) 27 mpg (4WD)
	Toyota Corolla Wagon 1994-1996. One of the nicest small wagons made back in the 1990s. Not many were made, but a great choice if you can find one.	$-$$ 27 mpg
	Ford Focus Wagon 2007 model is by far the best choice. The wagon was dropped for 2008, and pre-2007 versions of the Zetec engine got poorer mileage. Don't be fooled: the EPA website lists 2-valve non-Zetec versions with higher mpg for earlier years, but they were never actually produced. Packs as much interior space as a Subaru or Volvo wagon into a smaller outside package.	$$$ 27 mpg (2007) 24 mpg (2001-06)
	Subaru Forester 1998-present. Reality check: Unless you really need 4WD and lots of ground clearance (and almost no one does), I'd recommend something more efficient. Good snow tires will do far more to make you safe in winter than 4WD/AWD ever will. But if you really need 4-wheel traction, and the Escape Hybrid is way out of your price range, this nifty wagon is the best of the small SUVs and my favorite Subaru. Holds almost as much as a big Outback, but much easier to park and almost as fun to drive as a little Outback Sport. Unlike its competitors, still available with a manual transmission. The automatic is rated for similar mpg due to much taller gearing, but a skilled driver should still be able to do better with the manual.	$$-$$$$ 21 mpg

Small Wagons

	Honda Fit 2007-present. Incredibly clever interior design makes it far roomier inside than seems possible from the outside. Honda fit, finish, quality, performance, reliability and resale value. I want one. Hybrid alert: Honda is planning to produce a hybrid version of this vehicle, using the powertrain from the Honda Insight! Expect fuel economy in the 50 mpg range. Early rumors said it might be available by 2010, but sadly more recent reports say 2015.	$$$ 31 mpg
	Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe (2WD, 4cyl) 2003-present. These twins are basically miniwagon versions of the Corolla. Toyota fit, finish, quality, reliability and resale value.	$$$ 29 mpg
	Scion xA, xB (1st generation), xD 2004-present (xA), 2004-2007 (xB), 2008-present (xD). Basic, solid Toyota econoboxes with a different spin on the design and marketing. For 2008 the iconic xB cube was expanded up a size category (and made into much less of a cube), and its fuel economy dropped to a disappointing 24 mpg.	$$$ 30 mpg (xA, xD) 28 mpg (xB 1st gen)
	Ford Escort Wagon 1991-1999. Cheap, basic transportation. More cargo space than almost anything else with similar fuel economy.	$ 28-30 mpg
	Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot 2007-present. Affordable as new cars go, and better mileage than any other non-hybrid SUV.	$$$-$$$ 25-26 mpg

5-door Hatchbacks

	Toyota Prius (2nd generation) 2004-present. The hybrid sedan, based on Toyota's ingenious Hybrid Synergy Drive. Over a million sold as of 2008. The hatchback makes it dramatically more practical than the previous version (or the Civic Hyrid). Future alert: In 2009 Toyota will introduce the 3rd generation Prius. The new version will be somewhat larger, faster and more upscale, but Toyota promises similar fuel economy. Future alert: Also in 2009, Honda will introduce a new 5-door hybrid very similar to the 2nd generation Prius, but with better fuel economy and a price under $20k.	$$$$-$$$$$ 46 mpg
	VW Golf TDI 2000-2006. The TDI diesel version of this car gets fantastic fuel economy and has a loyal following. Only rated for 90-100 hp, but has far more torque than the gas version and accelerates slightly faster around town. My wife drives one of these. In a recent fuel economy competition, I achieved 61.8 mpg in this car over a 91 mile course. Although VW TDIs are returning for 2009, sadly the Rabbit (aka Golf) will not offer the diesel engine as an option. For the TDI you'll need to look at the Jetta sedan or SportWagon.	$$$-$$$$$ 38 mpg (2002-03 manual) 35 mpg (2004-06 manual) 32-33 mpg (auto)
	Nissan Versa 2007-present. Another 5 door in an affordable package. Great choice for automatic fans, as the CVT automatic model actually does slightly better than the manual.	$$$ 29 mpg (CVT automatic) 28 mpg (manual)

Family Sedans

	Toyota Camry Hybrid 2007-present. A bigger Prius (though with considerably lower fuel economy, and less utility due to the lack of a hatchback).	$$$$$ 34 mpg
	Nissan Altima Hybrid 2008-present. Not as big a seller as the Camry Hybrid but gets the same fuel economy.	$$$$$ 34 mpg
	Honda Accord (4cyl) 1992-present. The best conventionally-powered family sedan on the market. Available in a manual transmission, recommended for best fuel economy. The Accord was also offered for several years in a poor-selling hybrid version that offered more power than even the V-6, but no better fuel economy than the 4 cylinder manual.	$$-$$$$ 26 mpg (2003-07) 24 mpg (1998-02)
	Ford Focus 2001-present. Marketed as an economy car, but has midsize passenger space. For 2001-2004 models, avoid the thirsty Zetec engine and get the 2-valve model.	$-$$$ 26-28 mpg

Small Sedans

	Honda Civic Hybrid 2003-present. Uses Honda's Integrated Motor Assist technology, much simpler than Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive but nearly as effective. Slighly lower fuel economy than the Prius in town, slightly higher on the highway.	$$$-$$$$ 40-42 mpg
	Toyota Prius (1st generation) 2001-2003. Slower and smaller than the Civic Hybrid or the newer Prius, but still beats almost everything else for mileage. Still a good choice even at this age -- one early Prius has already passed 300,000 miles on its original battery pack.	$$-$$$ 41 mpg
	VW Jetta TDI 2000-2006, and the diesel is returning again for 2009. The TDI diesel version of this car gets fantastic fuel economy and has a loyal following. 2000-2006 models were only rated for 90-100 hp, but have far more torque than the gas version and accelerate slightly faster around town.	$$$-$$$$$ 38 mpg (2002-03 manual) 35 mpg (2004-06, 2009 manual) 32-33 mpg (auto)
	Toyota Yaris 2007-present. Available as a 4-door sedan or a 3-door hatchback.	$$$ 32 mpg
	Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla 1992-present. Although these are different cars, they are always competitive with each other and the top 2 choices in conventional small sedans.	$-$$$$ 30 mpg (base engine)

Coupes

	Honda Insight 2000-2006. This is the most fuel efficient gas car ever sold in America. It's a 2 seater and only holds 3 grocery bags in its trunk, but nothing can touch it for fuel economy. Holds the world record for fuel economy in a production car, as well as greatest distance (over 2000 miles) on a single tank. Capable of 70-80 real world mpg with a skilled driver, 100-120 mpg under optimum conditions.	$$-$$$ 53 mpg
	Geo Metro, Suzuki Swift, Pontiac Firefly (Canada) 1992-1995. These twins were America's fuel economy champs for several years running. Available with 3, 4 and/or 5 doors during various model years. Automatics got much lower mileage than the manual models.	$ 46 mpg (XFi manual) 40-41 mpg (other manual models)
	Honda Civic VX, CX (5th generation) 1992-1995 only. After 1995 the VX was replaced with the HX, and the CX became an entry level model without any extra fuel economy. Versions of the Civic Hatchback with extra-tall gearing. CX had an extra-frugal 70hp engine, VX had a special 90hp lean-burn VTEC-E engine. Manual transmission only.	$-$$ 43 mpg (VX) 38 mpg (CX)
	Smart Fortwo 2008-present. Available in coupe or convertible versions. Premium fuel required. A 60 mpg diesel version is also available in Canada.	$$$ 36 mpg
	Honda Civic HX 1996-2003. A version of the Civic Coupe with Honda's special lean-burn VTEC-E engine. Gets better fuel economy than the base engine even though it has more power. Available in 5-speed manual or a thirstier CVT automatic.	$$-$$$ 34-36 mpg (manual) 31-32 mpg (CVT automatic)
	Mini Cooper, Mini Clubman (non-"S", non-convertible models) 2007-present (Cooper), 2008-present (Clubman). Earlier versions of the Cooper, as well as the convertible and the "S" models, get lower fuel economy. Premium fuel required.	$$$$ 31-32 mpg

Trucks (if you must)

	Ford Ranger, Mazda B2300 (2WD, 4 cylinder) 1992-present. 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. C'mon, just look at those photos. Even without 4WD, these things are rugged! Reality check: If you aren't in the construction trades, consider whether you really even need a pickup. If you use a truck for occasional moving or hauling of building supplies, couldn't you just rent a truck from U-Haul once or twice a year when you need it? Then you could get a more fuel-efficient (and better-performing) car.	$-$$$$ 23 mpg
	Toyota Tacoma (4WD, 4 cylinder) 1992-present. If you really need a 4WD truck (most truck owners don't, really), then this is the most fuel efficient choice. And unless you pull a very large trailer you can probably get by just fine with a compact pickup. Most full-size pickup purchases appear to be ego driven. Reality check: Unless you regularly drive in muddy construction sites, haul boats up slick ramps, pull a heavy trailer or drive on unplowed roads in winter, you probably don't really need 4WD. Get the Ranger/B2300, some good tires and a set of chains, and give the planet a little help, OK?	$$-$$$$$ 17-19 mpg
	Dodge / Mercedes-Benz / Freightliner Sprinter 2003-present. These vans have taken the delivery-truck world by storm since their introduction, mostly due to their fuel economy. Not rated by the EPA because it's not classified as a passenger vehicle, but many drivers report fuel economy of 20-25 mpg in real world conditions. Available in 3 lengths and 2 roof heights, in both passenger and cargo configurations. Even the smallest passenger configuration seats 9. If you have a large family, strongly consider this vehicle instead of a minivan, Suburban or Expedition.	$$$$$ 20+ mpg

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