
When it comes to choosing a car that offers the best fuel economy, there are several options to consider. While electric vehicles (EVs) are known for their efficiency, they may not be the preferred choice for everyone. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids are also great options for those seeking a balance between performance and fuel economy. The Toyota Prius, for instance, is a well-known hybrid known for its impressive fuel economy, offering up to 57 mpg. The Hyundai Elantra, available in hybrid and non-hybrid versions, also offers good fuel efficiency and is praised for its affordability and spacious interior. Another affordable and efficient option is the Kia Niro, a hybrid SUV that provides a comfortable cabin and modern features. The Honda Accord, a midsize sedan, stands out for its spacious cabin, refined driving experience, and excellent build quality. If you're open to electric vehicles, the Chevy Bolt could be an option, while the Nissan Rogue is a notable crossover SUV with impressive fuel economy thanks to its new engine technology.
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What You'll Learn

Best non-hybrid cars for fuel economy
When it comes to choosing a car, fuel economy is an important consideration. While hybrids tend to be the most fuel-efficient, there are several non-hybrid cars that offer impressive mileage. Here are some of the best non-hybrid cars for fuel economy:
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a popular choice for those seeking a balance between performance and fuel efficiency. The 2025 Honda Civic is known for its sleek design, spacious interior, and advanced engine technology. It offers a combined fuel economy rating of up to 36 mpg, with some reporting highway mileage in the mid-to-high 30s. The 2020 Civic EX-L hatchback is said to achieve 50 mpg on the highway when in eco mode. The 2016 Honda Civic with the 2.0 engine is also highly regarded for its fuel efficiency, with reported mileage in the high 30s to mid-40s.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra is another excellent option for fuel economy. The 2025 Elantra offers a variety of engine and transmission choices, with the non-hybrid base model being the most fuel-efficient. It features a 147-hp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, delivering an EPA-estimated combined rating of up to 36 mpg. The 2024 Elantra is also praised for its pragmatic yet stylish design, good fuel economy, and abundance of standard tech features.
Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra is an affordable and efficient option that doesn't compromise on style. It is powered by a 149-hp 2.0-litre inline-four engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the fuel economy figures are not specified, its small fuel tank makes filling up less expensive during times of high gas prices.
Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta offers a fun driving experience and surprising amounts of space. The 2025 Jetta falls short of being an overachiever in fuel economy, but the 2024 Jetta 1.5 turbo is reported to achieve mileage in the high 30s to mid-40s. The 2019-2021 Jettas with the 1.4T engine were rated around 40 mpg on the highway.
Kia Forte
The Kia Forte, particularly the 2020 and newer models, is praised for its impressive real-world fuel economy, with reported mileage in the 40s in the city and up to 50 mpg on the highway. It offers a long list of standard features, reasonable pricing, and enjoyable driving dynamics.
Nissan Rogue
The 2025 Nissan Rogue is the only crossover on the list, featuring new engine technology that improves fuel efficiency in an SUV. It uses a variable-compression I-3 engine, which adjusts the compression ratio to optimise fuel efficiency. While it offers impressive engineering and interior space, it is beset by excessive road and tire noise.
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Best hybrid cars for fuel economy
Hybrid vehicles offer a compelling compromise between conventional combustion-powered models and full electric vehicles. Buyers get improved fuel economy and sometimes better acceleration. The only downside for most folks is the increased purchase price over a gas car. However, hybrids are getting more affordable, and fuel economy is becoming a key buying decision given today's soaring gas prices.
The Toyota Prius is a venerable name among hybrid vehicles, with its introduction dating back to the 2001 model year in the United States. Its 57 mpg combined makes the current model the efficiency king in the segment. Even the all-wheel-drive variant offers 54 mpg. Testing shows that folks can expect over 50 mpg in real-world driving. The latest Prius, which was named the 2024 MotorTrend Car of the Year, has plenty of style inside and out, a ton of tech-savvy features, and excellent fuel economy. The new Prius can achieve up to 57/56 mpg city/highway.
The 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid competes in the ultra-competitive crossover segment against models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. This hybrid variant returns an estimated 43 mpg combined. It's also a comfortable ride with a compliant suspension and soft front seats. The vehicle also offers the Smart Park system, which can pull the Sportage into or out of a parking spot by pressing a button on the key fob.
The 2025 Toyota Crown gets nearly 25% better combined mpg than its rivals. The Crown is a full hybrid, capable of running on battery power alone and using the engine to charge the battery, greatly extending how far a gallon of gas will take you. The cheaper of the two powertrain options, the basic Hybrid, is the most efficient and least expensive. The Crown is the most fuel-efficient full-size car you can get.
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is another stylish option that shows hybrids don't have to look boring. The sedan's exterior features a sharp, shark-like nose and a sleek silhouette. The Blue model is the base trim and the only model that gets 54 mpg combined, but the rest of the lineup still nets an impressive 50 mpg.
The Kia Niro is a small hybrid SUV with great fuel efficiency. At 53 mpg combined, its FE trim has better fuel economy than quite a few cars. While this is a compact vehicle, the headroom and rear seat legroom are competitive with the larger Honda CR-V.
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Best electric cars for fuel economy
When it comes to choosing an electric car, there are several factors to consider. The spec that most shoppers look at first is the EPA-rated range, as this determines whether the EV will work for your driving needs, habits, and your access to charging points. Beyond range, you should also consider the efficiency of the EV, or how many miles the car can get from the electricity stored in its battery.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an efficient EV, using 24 kWh of electricity to go 100 miles. The 2023 Toyota bZ4X is another efficient option, with a range of 252 miles and an efficiency of 28 kWh per 100 miles. The 2021 Tesla Model Y is a bestselling compact luxury SUV, with two of its three versions offering an efficiency of 28 kWh per 100 miles and ranges of 330 and 279 miles, respectively.
The Toyota Prius is a well-known hybrid vehicle, offering 57/56/57 mpg in its base trim. The Kia Niro is another efficient option, with a hybrid version offering 53/54/53 mpg, and a plug-in hybrid version with an estimated 108 mpg-e. The Toyota Camry Hybrid and Corolla Hybrid are also practical choices, with the Camry Hybrid getting 51/53/52 mpg in its base trim, and the Corolla Hybrid offering 53/46/50 mpg for its FWD variants and 51/44/48 mpg for its AWD variants.
Other efficient non-electric vehicles include the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, and the Toyota Corolla. The 2020 Honda Civic hatchback gets 50 mpg with eco mode on the highway, and the 2016 Honda Accord hybrid is also known for its good fuel economy. The 2024 Toyota Corolla is another efficient option, with its gas-only sedan and hatchback variants offering 32/41/35 mpg.
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Fuel-efficient cars with the most horsepower
When shopping for a new car, vehicle efficiency is one of the most important factors to consider. While most modern vehicles are more efficient than older models, some cars stand out for their exceptional fuel economy and horsepower. Here are some fuel-efficient cars with impressive horsepower:
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a well-known hybrid vehicle that underwent a redesign in 2023, resulting in a sleeker exterior. The base 194-hp LE trim with front-wheel drive offers impressive fuel efficiency, rated at 57/56/57 mpg. The all-wheel-drive variant with a second electric motor delivers 196 horsepower and achieves 53/54/54 mpg. The 2024 Toyota Prius has improved driving dynamics and is a popular choice for those seeking fuel efficiency.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra, available in both hybrid and non-hybrid models, offers a range of engine and transmission options. The non-hybrid base SE trim features a 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT and delivers 32/41/36 mpg. The sportier N Line, with a 201-hp turbocharged engine, achieves 28/35/31 mpg. The Elantra N, with a 276-hp engine, offers 21/29/24 mpg with a manual transmission and 20/27/23 mpg with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Hyundai Elantra is praised for its fuel economy and abundance of standard features.
Kia Niro
The Kia Niro, a crossover SUV, is known for its impressive fuel efficiency. The hybrid version offers 53/54/53 mpg, while the plug-in hybrid model provides an estimated 108 mpg-e. The Kia Niro is a practical choice with decent power and stellar fuel economy.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a mid-size sedan with a 208-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a CVT. The base LE trim achieves 51/53/52 mpg, while higher trims see a slight decrease in fuel efficiency. The Toyota Camry Hybrid offers a comfortable driving experience and impressive fuel economy.
Honda Civic
The 2024 Honda Civic offers a range of engine choices and transmission options. The mid-level EX trim, with a 180-hp, turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT, is the most fuel-efficient, rated at 33/42/36 mpg. The Honda Civic provides a balance of performance and fuel economy.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower. It delivers an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form, making it a fuel-efficient choice in its class.
These cars showcase a combination of impressive fuel efficiency and horsepower, offering both performance and economic benefits to their owners.
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Fuel-efficient cars with the most cargo space
When it comes to fuel-efficient cars with ample cargo space, there are a few options that stand out. It's worth noting that fuel efficiency is often a priority for car buyers, especially with fluctuating gas prices, and this has led to the development of various fuel-efficient vehicles that offer a good balance between storage and gas mileage. Here are some of the best options currently available:
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a well-known hybrid vehicle that has been redesigned for improved fuel efficiency and a sportier look. The 2023 model offers impressive fuel economy, with 57/56/57 mpg, and provides a good amount of cargo space. The base 194-hp LE trim with FWD is the most efficient, and opting for the all-wheel-drive variant with a second electric motor slightly reduces fuel economy. The 2015 Prius V, a variant of the standard model, is also worth considering, as it offers 44 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 34.3 cubic feet of storage space with the back seats up.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra is a stylish and fuel-efficient car, offering various engine and transmission choices. The non-hybrid Elantras are the most fuel-efficient, with the base SE model providing 32/41/36 mpg. The sportier N Line, with its turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, is also efficient, delivering 28/35/31 mpg.
Kia Niro
The Kia Niro is a popular choice for those seeking fuel efficiency and space. It offers a simple drivetrain and good fuel economy, with the hybrid version providing 53/54/53 mpg. The Kia Niro is also available as a plug-in hybrid, with an estimated 108 mpg-e.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a mid-size sedan that delivers excellent fuel efficiency. The base LE trim, powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, achieves 51/53/52 mpg. The higher trims have slightly lower fuel efficiency but still offer a good balance of performance and economy.
VW Golf SportWagen
The VW Golf SportWagen, equipped with a diesel engine, offers both fuel efficiency and ample cargo space. According to the EPA, it manages 31 mpg in the city, 43 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined. It provides 30.4 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats up and 66.5 cubic feet with them down. The VW Golf hatchback is also an option if you're willing to trade a little cargo space for sportier performance.
It's important to note that cargo space measurements can vary depending on the source and the methods used. Some organizations, like Cars.com, have developed their own measurement methods to provide more accurate and consistent cargo space information.
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Frequently asked questions
The Toyota Prius, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, Kia Niro Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and Toyota Corolla Hybrid are all known for their good fuel economy.
According to the EPA, the average MPG for a new car in 2024 was 28 miles per gallon. So, any car that beats that number has good fuel efficiency.
Yes, the 2025 Honda Accord is a non-hybrid sedan that offers a good balance of space and fuel efficiency. The 2025 Nissan Rogue is another non-hybrid SUV with good fuel economy.
The Lexus ES Hybrid is a luxury sedan known for its sleek design, comfort, and good fuel economy. The 2025 Acura Integra is another luxury car with good fuel efficiency and powerful performance.
The 2025 Nissan Sentra is a stylish and affordable compact sedan with good fuel economy. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is also one of the most affordable options with excellent fuel efficiency.











































