Fuel-efficient cars by body style
- Best overall
- Sedans
- SUVs
- Trucks
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 (tie) | 
Ford Ranger Pickup |
21/26 | $2271 | 8 tons | two-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.3 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 1 (tie) |
Mazda B2300 |
21/26 | $2271 | 8 tons | two-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.3 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 3 (tie) | 
Chevrolet Silverado 15 Hybrid |
21/22 | $2485 | 8.7 tons | two-wheel drive, 8 cylinder, 6 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), regular gas |
| 3 (tie) | 
GMC Sierra 15 Hybrid |
21/22 | $2485 | 8.7 tons | two-wheel drive, 8 cylinder, 6 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), regular gas |
| 5 |
Toyota Tacoma |
20/26 | $2375 | 8.3 tons | two-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.7 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 6 (tie) |
Nissan Frontier |
19/23 | $2485 | 8.7 tons | two-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 6 (tie) | 
Suzuki Equator |
19/23 | $2485 | 8.7 tons | two-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, manual 5-speed, regular gas |
| 8 (tie) |
Chevrolet Colorado |
18/24 | $2610 | 9.2 tons | two-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.9 liter, automatic 4-speed, regular gas |
| 8 (tie) |
GMC Canyon |
18/24 | $2610 | 9.2 tons | two-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.9 liter, automatic 4-speed, regular gas |
| 10 |
Dodge Dakota Pickup |
16/20 | $2902 | 10.2 tons | two-wheel drive, 6 cylinder, 3.7 liter, manual 6-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.
4 Comments
By macwaker on March 14, 2009 10:29 AM
I know few if any who drive 2 wheel vehicle, so most gas is burned by 4x4's, how about a list of those.
By Andrew on June 13, 2009 1:53 PM
These trucks have horrible gas mileage. Why would anyone buy these monstrous trucks. You only would need them if you're hauling farming stuff out in rural Eastern Washington.
Think small people, and follow the role model like Europe and Japan. They don't have pick-up trucks.
By Dennis on July 3, 2009 2:12 PM
I own a 2009 4 cylinder Ford Ranger and I consistently get 23-25 MPG. My only concern is during te winter it is a little 'squirelly' when it is not loaded in the back. It is the BEST truck I have ever owned.
By tin on February 17, 2011 11:13 PM
I really thing that ford is a great brand.