The Most Fuel Efficient Cars: Top 10 Vehicles with the Best Gas Mileage

With gas prices fluctuating dramatically, fuel efficiency has become a top priority for car shoppers. Finding a vehicle that squeezes every last mile out of a gallon of gas can lead to huge savings at the pump. This guide will highlight the passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks that achieve the highest MPG fuel economy ratings.

We’ll overview the 10 most fuel sipper models available in the US market. Whether you seek a gas mileage hybrid, diesel, or electric vehicle, there’s an ultra-efficient option to fit your needs and budget. Let’s review the top gas savers!

What Impacts a Car's Gas Mileage?

The miles per gallon a vehicle can achieve is influenced by:

• Weight - Lighter vehicles require less energy to accelerate and move.
• Aerodynamics - Sleek, low-drag designs encounter less wind resistance which saves fuel.
• Engine Size - Smaller displacement engines use less gasoline.
• Transmission - More gears optimize efficiency and reduce rpm.
• Accessories - Features like A/C compressors sip fuel.
• Driving Habits - Aggressive acceleration and speeding hurts MPG.

Automakers optimize all these factors to maximize mileage and minimize consumption.

Top 10 Highest MPG Vehicles

Here are the 2022 models offering the best fuel economy based on EPA estimates:

1. Hyundai Ioniq Blue - 59 MPG Combined

Hyundai Ioniq Blue

• Hybrid drivetrain
• 133 horsepower 4-cylinder
• 58 mpg city/60 highway

2. Toyota Prius Eco - 56 MPG Combined

Toyota Prius Eco - 56 MPG Combined

• Iconic hybrid with proven reliability
• 121 horsepower hybrid powertrain
• 57 mpg city/53 highway

3. Hyundai Elantra Hybrid - 54 MPG Combined

Hyundai Elantra Hybrid - 54 MPG Combined

• 139 horsepower hybrid
• 57 mpg city/56 highway
• Affordably priced compact sedan

4. Kia Niro PHEV - 52 MPG Combined

Kia Niro PHEV - 52 MPG Combined

• Plug-in hybrid SUV
• 26 miles electric range
• 48 mpg city/44 highway

5. Kia Niro EV - 112 MPGe Combined

Kia Niro EV - 112 MPGe Combined

• 201 horsepower electric motor
• 120 MPGe city/97 highway
• 239 miles range

6. Hyundai Kona Electric - 120 MPGe Combined

Hyundai Kona Electric - 120 MPGe Combined

• 201 horsepower electric SUV
• 132 MPGe city/108 highway
• 258 miles range

7. BMW i3 - 118 MPGe Combined

BMW i3 - 118 MPGe Combined

• Quirky electric hatchback
• 181 horsepower motor
• 126 MPGe city/110 highway
• 153 mile range

8. Tesla Model 3 - 132 MPGe Combined

Tesla Model 3 - 132 MPGe Combined

• 258 mile range base model
• 140 MPGe city/121 highway
• Available high performance versions

9. Polestar 2 - 116 MPGe Combined

Polestar 2 - 116 MPGe Combined

• 231 horsepower dual-motor AWD
• 127 MPGe city/100 highway
• 233 mile range

10. Lucid Air - 131 MPGe Combined

Lucid Air - 131 MPGe Combined

• Cutting-edge luxury EV
• Up to 520 mile range
• 131 MPGe city/117 highway
• From $87,400 starting price

This list provides a diverse selection of the most fuel stingy new cars spanning hybrids, EVs, sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs. All achieve over 50 mpg or 100 MPGe ratings.

Best Electric Cars for Gas Savings

Full battery-electric vehicles offer the ultimate gas mileage since they use zero gasoline. Here are the top 3:

• Tesla Model 3 - With no engine and minimal friction, the Model 3 can travel up to 358 miles between charges according to Tesla. Running costs equate to about 3 cents per mile versus 12 cents for gas vehicles.
• Polestar 2 - This sporty Swedish EV achieves an EPA estimated 233 miles from a full charge. That’s about 4 miles per kWh which beats most competitors.
• Hyundai Kona Electric - The subcompact Kona Electric SUV is rated for 258 miles range by the EPA, yet starts under $35,000. It offers a very economical electric option.

While range and charging times continue improving, EVs make the most sense for drivers who charge at home and take mostly short trips. The economics work less for long highway driving.

Best Hybrid Cars for High Mileage

Here are three high mpg hybrid standouts on the market now:

• Toyota Prius – The icon of fuel sippers. Now in its fourth generation, the Prius L Eco trim achieves an incredible 56 mpg combined. This affordable hatchback has proven hybrid tech.
• Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid – Hyundai has optimized the Ioniq to return 59 mpg combined, edging out even the Prius for efficiency. A sleek shape and lightweight materials pay dividends.
• Toyota Camry Hybrid – With the practicality of a midsize sedan, the Camry Hybrid LE still achieves a frugal 52 mpg combined. This demonstrates hybrid scale across vehicles.

Hybrid tech works well across sizes from compacts to family sedans. And they don’t require any charging infrastructure.

Best Compact and Subcompact Cars for MPG

For those wanting a smaller fuel-efficient vehicle, these economical compacts deliver:

• Hyundai Accent – Hyundai’s smallest sedan achieves 33 mpg combined from its 120 horsepower engine. An affordable entry-level new car.
• Toyota Corolla – Offering up to 35 mpg combined from its 139 horsepower engine, the 2022 Corolla sedan remains a benchmark for reliable efficiency.
• Honda Civic – Reaching 36 mpg combined, the 2022 Honda Civic impresses with polished driving dynamics and practicality for about $25k.
• Chevrolet Spark – Chevrolet’s mini Spark runs on just a 98 hp 1.4L engine yet achieves 33 mpg combined as an urban commuter.

For drivers covering modest mileage or wanting basic transportation, an economical subcompact can save plenty on fuel.

Best Midsize Sedans with High MPG

Moving up a class in size, these sedans deliver the best mpg:

• Toyota Camry Hybrid – The Camry’s chiseled style conceals a 52 mpg powertrain, proving midsize hybrid sedans are practical.
• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Returning 50 mpg combined, the swoopy Sonata Hybrid looks more expensive than its reasonable low $30k base price.
• Honda Accord Hybrid – The popular Accord Hybrid combines 47 mpg with nicer driving dynamics hitting a sweet spot for families.
• Kia K5 – Kia’s sleek new K5 impresses with 39 mpg from its 180 horsepower turbo engine along with premium details.

Midsize sedans like the Camry and Accord have proven their gas mileage mettle after decades on the road in hybrid form or conventional powertrains.

Best SUVs with High Fuel Economy

While less efficient than cars, these SUVs deliver relatively thrifty fuel usage:

• Hyundai Tucson Hybrid – The compact Tucson SUV achieves 38 mpg combined as a two-wheel drive hybrid model.
• Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – Also a compact, the RAV4 Hybrid touts 40 mpg combined with Toyota’s hybrid expertise.
• Ford Escape Hybrid – The Escape compact SUV reaches 37 mpg combined for under $30k with its hybrid powertrain.
• Lexus NX 450h+ - This luxury compact SUV leverages a plug-in hybrid system to return 33 mpg and 34 miles EV range.
• Tesla Model Y – While expensive, the electric Model Y crossover achieves up to 121 MPGe combined.

SUVs will never match sedans for efficiency but these models minimize the gap while offering practicality.

Best Trucks for Gas Mileage

Even trucks now tout miserly mpg if you avoid the mighty V8s:

• Ford Maverick – Ford’s new compact hybrid pickup truck can achieve 37 mpg combined with its standard 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain. And it starts under $20k!
• Hyundai Santa Cruz – This unibody pickup can return 28 mpg combined thanks to its 191 horsepower turbo engine in base form. It feels like an SUV.
• Ford F-150 PowerBoost – The full-size F-150 is shockingly efficient by truck standards, getting 25 mpg combined from its PowerBoost hybrid V6.
• Ram 1500 EcoDiesel – Running on diesel fuel, the Ram 1500 4WD achieves 26 mpg highway which is unheard of for a big truck.

Truck capabilities and fuel efficiency no longer remain mutually exclusive with carefully engineered modern pickups.

5 Tips to Improve Your Mileage

No matter what car you drive, certain habits can boost your mileage:

• Observe speed limits - Wind resistance rises exponentially above 50 mph
• Avoid aggressive acceleration - It wastes gas with no benefit
• Plan routes wisely - Combine multiple errands into the fewest trips
• Check tire pressures monthly - Under-inflated tires create drag
• Remove excess cargo weight - Extra mass saps fuel

Being smart about how you drive avoids leaving MPG on the table.

Key Factors Impacting EV Range

Range for electric vehicles depends most on:

• Battery size - Measured in kWh. More capacity extends range.
• Regenerative braking - Recaptures energy when slowing down.
• Aerodynamics - Sleek, low-drag design enhances efficiency.
• Weight - Heavy vehicles require more battery capacity.
• Tire efficiency - Low rolling resistance tires minimize energy loss.
• Outside temperature - Cold weather saps battery performance until it warms up.
• Driving style - Hard acceleration and high speeds reduce miles per charge.

Understanding these factors helps maximize miles from each charge.

Federal Tax Credits for High MPG Vehicles

To incentivize efficiency, the federal government offers tax credits on select vehicles:

• Electric vehicles - $7,500 credit up to a 200,000 unit manufacturer cap.
• Plug-in hybrids - $4,502 credit also with maximum limit.
• Hybrid vehicles - Some qualify for a $4,000 tax credit.

The credits lower effective purchase prices, though not all models are eligible. The credits phase out once an automaker sells over 200,000 units. Consult your tax professional for how hybrid and EV credits apply to your tax situation.

faqS

Below are 5 key questions to consider when shopping for a gas mileage vehicle:

Should I buy used or new for maximum mpg?

For the highest fuel economy, buying new gives access to the latest technology like hybrid drivetrains or electric vehicles. However, used vehicles remain far more affordable.

How much more will higher mpg save me in fuel costs?

Every 5 mpg increment saves about $100 per year in fuel costs assuming 15,000 miles driven annually. Use gas mileage calculators to estimate your savings.

Do turbocharged small engines offer more efficiency than larger naturally aspirated ones?

Yes, small turbo engines like 1.5L or 1.6L motors often outperform even hybrids since new turbos are very efficient.

What color car paint provides the best gas mileage?

Lighter paint colors reflect heat more, reducing air conditioning usage and improving mpg marginally. White, silver, tan and light blues are ideal.

Should I buy an older hybrid or newer conventional car for max mpg?

Typically a newer conventional car with advanced engine and transmission tech will match or exceed an older hybrid model in mpg. Newer is better for efficiency.

These quick tips help ensure your next vehicle provides maximum miles per gallon.

Key Takeaways

The vehicles offering drivers the highest fuel economy provide the following advantages:

• Dramatically lower expenditures on gasoline over time
• Reduced environmental impact from lower emissions
• Potential eligibility for federal tax credits
• Lower cost of ownership over life of vehicle

With gas prices fluctuating dramatically in recent years, maximizing efficiency has become crucial. This list of the most fuel sipper cars, SUVs, and trucks demonstrates how selecting wisely can save thousands in fuel costs down the road.

Whether a hybrid, diesel, EV, or just highly optimized gas engine model, the vehicles with the top mpg deliver value at the pump. Consider what efficiencies make the most sense for your driving needs, then start saving on every trip!

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