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2008's most fuel-efficient station wagons

Fuel-efficient cars by body style

Choosing a new station wagon? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet. The following station wagons are ranked by city miles per gallon (MPG), followed by highway MPG based on the Environmental Protection Agency's Fuel Economy Guide for the 2008 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	Scion xD	27/33	$2111	6.3 tons	4 cylinder, 1.8 liter, Manual (5), Regular gas
2 (tie)	Pontiac Vibe	26/33	$2111	6.3 tons	4 cylinder, 1.8 liter, Manual (5), Regular gas
2 (tie)	Toyota Matrix	26/33	$2111	6.3 tons	4 cylinder, 1.8 liter, Manual (5), Regular gas
4	Suzuki SX4	22/30	$2448	7.3 tons	4 cylinder, 2 liter, Automatic (4), Regular gas
5	Audi A3	22/29	$2586	7.3 tons	4 cylinder, 2 liter, Automatic (S6), Premium gas
6	Scion xB	22/28	$2552	7.7 tons	4 cylinder, 2.4 liter, Automatic (S4), Regular gas
7 (tie)	Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen	21/29	$2552	7.7 tons	5 cylinder, 2.5 liter, Automatic (S6), Regular gas
7 (tie)	Volkswagen Passat Wagon	21/29	$2696	7.7 tons	4 cylinder, 2 liter, Manual (6), Premium gas
9 (tie)	Audi A4 Avant Quattro	20/28	$2812	8 tons	AWD, 4 cylinder, 2 liter, Manual (6), Premium gas
9 (tie)	Volvo V50	20/28	$3077	8 tons	FWD, 5 cylinder, 2.4 liter, Automatic (S5), Premium gas

Notes:

* Annual fuel cost is based on an assumption of cars driven 15,000 miles annually, 54 percent on the highway, 46 percent in the city, and a fuel price of $4.08 per gallon. Visit the EPA's Web site to calculate annual fuel costs using a different fuel price or annual miles for a specific vehicle.

This year, the EPA has changed the way it estimates MPG to more accurately reflect real driving conditions. Estimates reflect the effects of: faster speeds and acceleration; air conditioner use; and colder outside temperatures. The tests lower MPG estimates for most vehicles compared to previous years. Miles per gallon will vary for models with different vehicle specifications. Driving habits will also affect MPG.

Each model is allowed to appear on the list only once, except the Honda Civic, which appears on the list twice because of its availability in both regular gasoline and gasoline-electric hybrid versions.

7 Comments

Comment on this

By Dan on May 27, 2008 11:37 AM

How much (base price) for the VW Jetta Sportwagon?

By Jeff - NWautos Producer on May 27, 2008 12:39 PM

Volkswagen has not released pricing for the Jetta Sportwagen yet. Rumors are that it will be priced around $20,000.

By Chas on September 2, 2008 3:29 PM

Why do subaru outbacks get such low mileage? Are they heavier, and is that due only to AWD features?
Still, isn't it more carbon- efficient to keep an old car running at a slight premium than to buy a brand new car?

By Tom on November 15, 2008 7:21 AM

Don't get me wrong, I like most of the cars on this list but... What a crock! Where is the Fit!

My '08 Honda Fit Sport get an HONEST 33 mpg in all around, everyday commuting. And loaded up for a road trip with girlfriend and cargo averages almost 40. It will haul just as much as any of these wagons and drives like a Go-Cart. Not to mention killer resale value.

I'll admit to being a long time Honda convert. But I would urge anyone, especially in this economy, to go drive a Fit before plunking down your hard earned money.

By Jane Keller Watson on November 18, 2008 9:46 AM

Note to readers:

We have now posted the EPA's updated list of 2009's most fuel-efficient wagons.

-- Jane Keller Watson
NWautos senior editor

By Jerry on November 30, 2008 8:51 AM

Why is the 2008 Kia Rondo (SW) not in the mix? Ours get 25 miles per gallon in town and 28 on the Highway.

By Jeff Holdridge, NWautos Producer on December 1, 2008 10:31 AM

Jerry,

According to the EPA's Fuel economy guide, the Kia Rondo was rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg hwy, so it just missed the 2008 list.