Fuel-efficient cars by body style
Choosing a new car? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet. The following cars are ranked by city miles per gallon (MPG), followed by highway MPG based on the Environmental Protection Agency's Fuel Economy Guide for the 2009 model year. (For details of the testing, see the notes below.)
| Rank | Model | MPG: city/hwy | Annual fuel cost * | Carbon footprint (tons/yr of CO2) |
Additional info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Volkswagen Jetta SportWagon TDI |
30/41 | $1711 | 6.2 tons | 4 cylinder, 2 liter, manual 6-speed, diesel |
| 2 (tie) |
Pontiac Vibe |
26/32 | $1864 | 6.6 tons | 4 cylinder, 1.8 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 2 (tie) |
Toyota Matrix |
26/32 | $1864 | 6.6 tons | 4 cylinder, 1.8 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 4 |
Dodge Caliber |
24/30 | $1931 | 6.8 tons | 4 cylinder, 1.8 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 5 |  Hyundai Elantra Touring |
23/31 | $2010 | 7.1 tons | 4 cylinder, 2 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 6 |
Suzuki_SX4 |
22/30 | $2088 | 7.3 tons | 4 cylinder, 2 liter, automatic 4-speed, regular gas |
| 7 (tie) |
Audi A3 |
22/28 | $2346 | 7.7 tons | 4 cylinder, 2 liter, automatic (S6), premium gas |
| 7 (tie) |
Scion xB |
22/28 | $2177 | 7.7 tons | 4 cylinder, 2.4 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 9 |
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback |
21/27 | $2271 | 8 tons | 4 cylinder, 2.4 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), DOHC, regular gas |
| 10 |
Volvo V50 |
20/28 | $2271 | 8 tons | front-wheel drive, 5 cylinder, 2.4 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
Notes:
* Annual fuel cost estimates are based on the assumptions that you travel 15,000 miles per year (55 percent in the city and 45 percent on the highway) and that fuel costs $3.48 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, $3.75 per gallon for premium and $3.88 for diesel. Visit www.fueleconomy.gov to calculate fuel costs based on current fuel prices and your driving habits.
Each model is allowed to appear on the list only once regardless of variations in its trim, options and/or specs.
Note that the models featured on the research pages linked here may have slight variations to the models specified in this list.
1 Comment
By B Bowers on November 22, 2008 11:47 AM
Where is the Honda Fit? We looked at most of the cars in the ranking and selected the Fit because it gets better mileage, is lighter, and has the best (in our opinion) interior adjustability. Plus it's a Honda. We are averaging 35 mpg and get over 40 on the highway. It feels solid and is fun to drive. Trouble is most dealers want $$$ over MSRP.