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 |
Toyota Prius |
48/45 | $1133 | 4 tons | 4 cylinder, 1.5 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, regular gas |
| 2 |
Nissan Altima Hybrid |
35/33 | $1535 | 5.4 tons | 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, regular gas |
| 3 |
Toyota Camry Hybrid |
33/34 | $1535 | 5.4 tons | 4 cylinder, 2.4 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), HEV, regular gas |
| 4 (tie) |
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid |
26/34 | $1801 | 6.3 tons | 4 cylinder, 2.4 liter, automatic 4-speed, regular gas |
| 4 (tie) | 
Saturn Aura Hybrid |
26/34 | $1801 | 6.3 tons | 4 cylinder, 2.4 liter, automatic 4-speed, regular gas |
| 6 | 
Hyundai Elantra |
25/33 | $1864 | 6.6 tons | 4 cylinder, 2 liter, automatic 4-speed, regular gas |
| 7 |
Kia Spectra |
24/32 | $1931 | 6.8 tons | 4 cylinder, 2 liter, automatic 4-speed, regular gas |
| 8 |
Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec |
23/32 | $2241 | 8.1 tons | 6 cylinder, 3 liter, automatic 7-speed, diesel |
| 9 (tie) |
Nissan Altima |
23/32 | $2008 | 7.1 tons | 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter, manual 6-speed, regular gas |
| 9 (tie) |
Audi A4 |
23/30 | $2250 | 7.3 tons | 4 cylinder, 2 liter, automatic (variable gear ratios), premium 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 except the Nissan Altima, which appears on the list twice because of its availability in both regular gasoline and gasoline-electric hybrid versions.
Note that the models featured on the research pages linked here may have slight variations to the models specified in this list.
14 Comments
By Jake on April 29, 2009 12:05 PM
Where's the VW TDI? Or the new Honda Insight?
By Jeff - NWautos Producer on April 30, 2009 11:45 AM
You can find the Volkswagen Jetta TDI at #3 on the compact cars list. The new Honda Insight is a 2010 model, so you will see it on next year's lists.
By Sean on May 3, 2009 11:39 AM
And the Civic Hybrid? My 09 hybrid sedan gets over 40 and when driven right can exceed my buddies Prius.
By Jim Morris on June 5, 2009 6:25 PM
What about all those batteries used in hybrids? What effect will they have on our environment?
The above are the reasons Subaru gives for not looking at Hybrids.
By Seer on July 12, 2009 7:38 PM
I've got a 1990 Toyota Corolla that gets about 30/35! I'd have to shell out what, $35k for something that gets better mileage (and get a government handout)?
A few years back the DOE(?) had a factoid stating the the typical construction of a new vehicle required, on average, 38,000 gallons of water!
By George on July 31, 2009 5:44 AM
Sorry, but this list is far from complete. Where is the Peugeot 307 / 308? Have been driving a 307 1.6 HDI 110 for 4 years now, and gives me consistently 60 mpg.
By wcarlson on October 31, 2009 11:28 AM
how about fords fusion?
By Diane Lipman-Groves on November 4, 2009 9:34 AM
Are over 50% of all Europeans wrong about choosing diesel engines? What is it with this country and its biased and stubborn ways wanting autos that have technology from the past that deliver mileage that hardly varies from decade to decade? I am driving my third diesel engine car, enjoying a minimum of 48 miles per gallon, has the energy and strength to handle acceleration in the mountains without laboring. The Prius is over advertised and gutless. Anyone ever see a gasoline-engine over the road truck? And you probably won't ever due to a million reasons. My VW TDI will outlive, outlast, and deliver satisfaction for years to come.
By Diane Lipaman-Groves on November 4, 2009 1:48 PM
Are over 50% of European drivers making the wrong choice when they choose a diesel engine? Is there an over-the-road vehicle out there that is NOT a diesel? What is this insane idea that gasoline engines that continue to get less than 45 mpg are still being sold? Don't Americans demand more vehicle for their money? I'm driving my third diesel car and receive over 45 mpg, over 50 mpg highway. My car has stamina to climb steep grades, strength, stability, good looks and is not trying to impress anyone with "new technology." It makes sense to me.
By chris pfohl on November 8, 2009 12:19 PM
Jetta TDI gets 40/41 City/Hwy placing it in 2nd to the Prius
"GreenThinking" disingenuously claims the Jetta is a compact but If you look at the Prius VS Jetta interior dimensions they are almost identical and the Jetta comes in a full wagon version.
By David Crew on November 8, 2009 7:13 PM
So, the Prius, a VERY compact car, reviewed, compared, and a loser in all knowledgable comparisons to the VW TDi and it gets top billing? Have you sat in the back seat of both cars? Do so, THEN tell me which is the sedan and which is the compact car. This can only happen in the Pacific Northwest. Shocked you didn't find a way to make a Subaru Outback #1!
By Taylor on November 11, 2009 9:23 AM
Where's the Jetta TDI?? i bought that car and i average between 35-42mpg/tank and on a good road trip i get about 45mpg on the highway. It's greener than all these hybrids because i don't have any toxic battery i have to dump in a few years.
And why is there a gas powered audi up there when they are releasing their diesels? and where is the BMW 335d clean diesel?
Aside from the battery issue, the honda hybrids are more efficient than several of the cars up there... and they're sedans. I'm thoroughly disappointed in this article. Journalists - do your homework.
By Ken on November 20, 2009 2:17 PM
Ford's Fusion is rated by the EPA at 41 mpg; better than either the Toyota Camry Hybrid or Nissan Altima Hybrid. Who put this list together anyway?
By Ken on November 20, 2009 2:17 PM
Ford's Fusion is rated by the EPA at 41 mpg; better than either the Toyota Camry Hybrid or Nissan Altima Hybrid. Who put this list together anyway?