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 |
Toyota Prius |
48/45 | $1133 | 4 tons | 4 cylinder, 1.5 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, regular gas |
| 2 |
Honda Civic Hybrid |
40/45 | $1242 | 4.4 tons | 4 cylinder, 1.3 liter, automatic (CVT), HEV, regular gas |
| 3 |
Nissan Altima Hybrid |
35/33 | $1535 | 5.4 tons | 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, regular gas |
| 4 (tie) |
Ford Escape Hybrid |
34/31 | $1634 | 5.7 tons | front-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), regular gas |
| 4 (tie) |
Mazda Tribute Hybrid |
34/31 | $1634 | 5.7 tons | front-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), regular gas |
| 4 (tie) |
Mercury Mariner Hybrid |
34/31 | $1634 | 5.7 tons | front-wheel drive, 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), regular gas |
| 7 |  Smart fortwo |
33/41 | $1564 | 5.1 tons | 3 cylinder, 1 liter, automatic (S5), premium gas |
| 8 |
Toyota Camry Hybrid |
33/34 | $1535 | 5.4 tons | 4 cylinder, 2.4 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, regular gas |
| 9 |
Volkswagen Jetta TDI |
30/41 | $1711 | 6.2 tons | 4 cylinder, 2 liter, manual 6-speed, diesel |
| 10 |
Toyota Yaris |
29/36 | $1634 | 5.7 tons | 4 cylinder, 1.5 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.
15 Comments
By Charlie Aarons on December 20, 2008 8:55 PM
Got any idea what a diesel Yaris gets?
67mpg highway; 52mpg city. Puts the hybrids to shame. Thank our government we can't get them.
Charlie
By Charlie Aarons on December 20, 2008 8:59 PM
The Yaris' petrol mpg ratings are identical to the ratings for the USA-available BMW 335d, which puts out 425 ft-lb and goes 0-60 in about 6.0 sec.
Draw your own conclusions about diesel vs. gas.
Charlie
PS High diesel prices won't be with us forever. All bubbles burst.
By Mike on January 3, 2009 8:47 AM
The Prius is not classified as a compact. Switch the view to 'Best Overall' and the Prius (along with other hybrids) will show up on top of the list.
By Robert G. on January 5, 2009 11:53 AM
So can any of these tow a trailer over 5,000lbs? Or is practical not an option
By John Fahey on January 5, 2009 12:02 PM
I believe the Jetta can since it's a desiel but I would recommend checking with a dealer or TDIforums. A great place for info.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=198894
By Eric on January 12, 2009 10:38 AM
The Escape, Tribute and Mariner are the same vehicle with different trim and body panels. They should be shown as 1 entry - like GMC & Chevy trucks.
This vehicle (the Escape/Tribute/Mariner) is NOT recommended for towing according to Ford's trailer guide, http://www.fordvehicles.com/assets/pdf/towing/09_TrailerGuide.pdf . Regular models can tow up to 1500Lbs with the 2.5L, 4cyl. and 3500Lbs with the 3.0L, 6cyl.
By Mike on January 22, 2009 9:56 AM
Jetta TDI has been getting 55mpg on hwy and 44 mpg in city, EPA study is a joke and not accurate. The TDI cannot tow 5,000 lbs as the chassis will not hold up if you try, the engine might, but you'll yank the back end off the car doing it.
VW has a hybrid diesel on the way in the form of the Golf/Rabbit, 98mpg. Sorry Prius, you suck, my '75 Rabbit got 45mpg on just pump gas alone.
By Don B on May 15, 2009 4:02 AM
Gee, Robert G, you sure have a point -- most ALL vehicles on the road today are towing 5000+ lb trailers, so we ALL need that capability. There are already plenty of "tugboats" in showrooms and on the road. And they are selling like rotten fish. Are you one of the insightful folks who directed model selection for Detroit's "big three"?
By Dino on May 17, 2009 12:01 PM
I think its important tell peaple , the Hibrids car , when u are at 100.000 miles needs be chenge the batteries, the cost is around 10k, depends wich car you have, so in the and if you ad the cost of replace batteries to the gas for years, the Hibrids is really not convinient!! better go with diesel!
By storky on July 3, 2009 12:39 PM
@ Dino
"when u are at 100.000 miles needs be chenge the batteries, the cost is around 10k, depends wich car you have, "
NONSENSE!!!
Since the EPA has adopted California Air Resource Board standards, hybrid component, considered part of the emissions control equipment, must now be warranted for ten years, 150,000 miles. If the battery doesn't last that long, replacement is free.
Actual mean time between failure for automotive NiMH batteries is ~220,000 miles . Many have exceed 300,000 miles in severe service.
Actual cost for the a Toyota Prius second generation high-voltage traction battery pack, if purchased new, is $2800 excluding installation, ~$4500 overall - cheaper than replacing the average domestic automatic transmission and more long-lived. Reconditioned battery packs, consisting of matched, salvaged battery cells cost $1500. Or one may purchase a salvaged battery for as little as $400, $750 installed at a competent garage.
By SteveD on August 1, 2009 5:35 AM
I have a 2009 Yaris (LIftback/Manual). It gets 37 mpg around town (No Trips yet). Replaced 2002 Echo (34 mpg).
Great little car.
$12,700 tax and title and I get the tax off my Taxes this year too.
I wanted Hybrid, but it was double the cost and I figured the 12k would buy a LOT of gas. Besides no battery to go bad and replace after 5-7 years for 3k.
SFD
By smartie on October 23, 2009 9:36 PM
smart car #7 and about $10k cheaper then all the hybrids, that's the way to go
By Matthew on November 4, 2009 8:50 AM
Our 2006 Jetta TDI routinely gets 51 hwy, and 39 city, and I have a heavy right foot. I hear the new ones are even more efficient. I can't imagine why anyone would want (a) the complexity of a hybrid or (b) to squeeze into a SmartCar.
Kit from Knight Rider... now THAT was a Smart Car.
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