Sylvie Willis
Fuel efficiency is a key consideration for many car buyers. In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests cars indoors to determine their fuel efficiency, but real-world conditions can differ. While foreign cars like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit have long been leaders in fuel efficiency, American automakers have been stepping up their game in recent years. In this paragraph, we will explore some of the most fuel-efficient American-made cars on the market and discuss the measures car buyers can take to improve fuel economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most Fuel-Efficient American-Made Car | Chevrolet Cruze |
| Starting Price | $16,975 |
| MPG (city/hwy/combined) | 30 / 40 / 34 |
| Engine | 1.4-liter turbocharged engine |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Efficiency | 40 mpg highway |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gas |
| Other Fuel-Efficient Cars | Honda Civic, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Honda Accord, Kia Niro, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, Toyota Camry |
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What You'll Learn
Electric vehicles
The Tesla Model S, for example, is an all-electric vehicle with an impressive 75% domestic content. With no internal combustion engine, the Model S boasts impressive fuel economy and performance. Additionally, the Tesla Model X, the brand's electric SUV, offers a range of around 237 miles on a single charge and can reach 60 mph in just 6 seconds.
Other notable mentions include the 2017 Ford Focus Electric, which has a range of 115 miles and is one of the most fuel-efficient compact cars on the market. The Bolt EV is another impressive option, offering an innovative Bluetooth low-energy system and a range of 200 horsepower.
For those seeking a luxury electric vehicle, the 2025 Genesis GV60 stands out with its unique body style and luxurious interior. The Cadillac Lyriq is another impressive electric SUV, offering a generous range and ample cargo space.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, electric vehicles are a step ahead, and with the continuous development in the industry, we can expect even more impressive options in the future.
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Fuel efficiency testing
The EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) conducts tests on new cars and trucks sold in the US to ensure compliance with federal emissions and fuel economy standards. These tests are standardized and specified by federal law, and they involve placing the vehicle's drive wheels on a dynamometer, a machine that simulates the driving environment. Engineers adjust the settings to account for wind resistance and vehicle weight. During the test, a driver operates the vehicle through standardized driving routines or "cycles" that mimic typical city or highway trips, with specific speeds and acceleration rates.
For vehicles using carbon-based fuels, a hose is connected to the tailpipe to collect engine exhaust. The carbon in the exhaust is measured to calculate the amount of fuel burned, which is more accurate than using a fuel gauge. Other air pollutants and fine particles are also measured. The EPA reviews and confirms about 10-15% of the test results submitted by manufacturers through their own tests at the NVFEL.
Most Fuel-Efficient American-Made Cars
Now, let's shift our focus to some of the most fuel-efficient American-made cars. In 2017, the Chevrolet Malibu offered impressive fuel efficiency, with a combined city and highway mileage of 30 miles per gallon. The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze is another fuel-efficient option, delivering 34 miles per gallon combined. The Ford Focus Electric, available in 2017, is one of the most fuel-efficient compact cars on the market, with a combined MPGe of 107. The Bolt EV, although less powerful, offers good performance and innovative features at a more affordable price point.
Looking at older models, in 2008, the Ford Focus tied for the top spot with the Chevrolet Aveo and Pontiac Vibe, achieving a combined fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon. However, these numbers still lagged behind Asian-made cars at the time, such as the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit.
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Fuel-efficient SUVs
Fuel efficiency is an important factor for many car buyers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the fuel economy of new vehicles in the US, so consumers can make an informed decision.
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is an all-electric compact car with a 238-mile range, which exceeds almost every other electric car on the market, except Tesla. It is priced at $37,495 and achieves 128 MPGe in the city, 110 MPGe on the highway, and 119 MPGe combined.
The 2017 Ford Focus Electric is another option, with a starting MSRP of $29,120. It achieves 118 MPGe in the city, 96 MPGe on the highway, and 107 MPGe combined. It is the only fully electric vehicle available from Ford and is one of the most fuel-efficient compact cars on the market.
The Buick Envista is an entry-level subcompact SUV with a standard price. The top-of-the-line Avenir will cost you under $30,000. The Buick's 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine might not be the most powerful, but it is fuel-efficient, achieving 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, with a total range of 396 miles.
The Chevrolet Trax is another SUV that is cheap and achieves the same fuel efficiency as the Buick Envista.
The Kia Niro is a hybrid SUV that is small but has a roomy and comfortable cabin with modern styling and great technology features. It falls short of competitors in terms of cargo space.
The Honda Civic is another option and is the most efficient non-hybrid compact car you can buy. It is a class leader in the compact car segment and is refreshed for 2025 with updated styling and a streamlined trim lineup.
The Georgia-built Kia Telluride tops the list of American-made midsize SUVs. It has a capable powertrain with ample power for city and highway driving, an upscale and comfortable cabin, and a large touchscreen.
The Alabama-built Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV that is regularly near the top of its class. It has a reasonable starting price and a well-designed interior with amenities like a large touchscreen and wireless smartphone connectivity.
The Alabama-built Mercedes-Benz GLE is a luxury midsize SUV that maintains the brand's reputation for being a tech leader. It has a biometric fingerprint scanner and excellent fuel economy numbers.
The Jeep Compass and Patriot are also SUVs with good fuel efficiency, but you will only get 30 MPG on the highway with the front-wheel-drive model.
The Cadillac ATS gets 32 MPG on the highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient American-made cars, especially considering Cadillacs are meant to be luxurious and comfortable.
The Chevy Equinox is marketed as a fuel-efficient SUV, with 26 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. The GMC Terrain is similar and only lost one point in the new generation, with 25 MPG combined.
The Tesla Model X is the only production electric SUV on the market and offers impressive fuel economy, with a range of around 237 miles on a full charge and seating for seven.
The Ford Bronco Sport is a capable and adventurous SUV with a smaller 1.5-liter inline three-cylinder engine, achieving a decent 26 miles per gallon combined.
While some of these options may not be the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market, they offer a good balance between fuel economy and other features that may be important to buyers, such as styling, technology, comfort, and performance.
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Fuel-efficient sedans
Fuel efficiency is a key consideration for many car buyers, and while American cars have historically lagged behind their Asian counterparts, there are now a number of fuel-efficient American-made sedans on the market.
The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze is one such option, with a starting price of $16,975 and a fuel efficiency of 30/40/34 MPG (city/highway/combined). The Cruze has a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and offers both manual and automatic transmission options. It also comes with a range of standard features, including smartphone integration and a 7-inch touchscreen display.
Another fuel-efficient American-made sedan is the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, which starts at $21,680 and offers a fuel efficiency of 27/36/30 MPG. The Malibu is larger and lighter than its predecessor, with a sleek new design and improved interior volume. It comes standard with a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase and a 3.6-liter engine, and offers a range of safety and technology features, including Bluetooth connectivity and OnStar Guidance Plan.
The Ford Focus is another option to consider, although Ford no longer sells new versions of this model in the United States. However, there are many used models available on the market, and the Focus is known for its fuel efficiency, with an estimated combined fuel economy of 28 MPG.
For those looking for a more upscale option, the Lincoln Corsair is a small SUV that offers good fuel efficiency for its class, with an MPG of 27 city/33 highway. The Corsair has a 2.3-liter engine and comes with a range of standard safety features, as well as different trim options to choose from.
Lastly, the Honda Accord is a perennial competitor in the fuel efficiency stakes, and the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid is a well-rounded car with spacious seating for five and a range of user-friendly technology features. It is a more expensive option, but it offers a smooth and predictable ride, making it a great choice for those seeking a balanced family sedan or daily driver.
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Fuel-efficient trucks
Fuel efficiency is an important factor to consider when purchasing a new vehicle, and while it may not be the first thing most truck buyers consider, it can help you get more done between fill-ups. Automakers often focus on marketing trucks with more aggressive specs, like horsepower, torque, and towing capacity. However, fuel economy ratings are equally important and it is possible to find a good balance between these attributes.
The 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient truck on the market, with mpg figures above 40 easy to achieve, even on the highway. The hybrid option is the base powertrain in the Maverick for 2025, meaning serious utility, good looks, and extreme value for money can be had for under $28,000. Ford finally made all-wheel drive an option for the hybrid, which previously was FWD-only.
The 2025 GMC Canyon is another great option, with a powerful turbo engine, an aggressive and boxy style, and a cabin filled with tech goodies, including an intuitive infotainment display. The Canyon's turbocharged engine boasts an impressive 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, and it's also fuel-efficient, returning an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in combined driving situations.
The GMC Sierra 1500 holds a spot in the top half of full-size truck rankings. It gets its fuel economy ratings from the base turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, which gets an eight-speed automatic transmission and can be equipped with rear- or four-wheel drive. The Sierra 1500 also comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lands in the bottom half of full-size truck rankings, but it has much in common with the GMC Sierra 1500. The Silverado falls short in interior materials but impresses in terms of power and tech features. It is also affordable, making it a solid choice in the 1/2 ton truck arena.
While these trucks offer good fuel efficiency, it's worth noting that there are other options on the market, including electric trucks, which have different metrics to describe their efficiency, such as miles per gallon equivalent (MPG-e), range, and charging speeds and times.
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Frequently asked questions
The Chevy Cruze is the most fuel-efficient American-made car that runs on regular gas, getting 40 MPG on the highway. The Bolt EV is another highly fuel-efficient American-made car, delivering 118 MPGe in the city and 96 MPGe on the highway. However, it is important to note that the all-electric Tesla Model S also has 75% domestic content and offers unparalleled fuel efficiency.
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, the 2017 Ford Focus Electric, the Honda Civic, the Honda Accord, the Kia Niro, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, the Toyota Camry, the Lincoln Corsair, and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax are all fuel-efficient American-made cars.
Properly inflated tires and regular vehicle maintenance can improve a car's fuel economy. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts indoor tests to determine fuel efficiency, but real-world conditions may differ, resulting in varying mileage. Therefore, it is advisable to consider real-world MPG before purchasing a vehicle.
