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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg CG Automotive's 10 most fuel-efficient 2011 cars (http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/ten-stingiest-test-cars-for-2011.htm)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/honda_insight_ford_fusion_hybrid.jpgRebecca Artz - HOWSTUFFWORKS (http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com) - June 6, 2011

Good choices for high prices. --Ed.

With gas prices exceeding $4 in many areas of the U.S., Consumer Guide Automotive wants to help you stay informed about vehicles with the best fuel economy. Our auto editors test a variety of new cars, trucks, and SUVs every year with the purpose of objectively evaluating key aspects of each, so we can assist you--the consumer--in making informed choices when purchasing your next vehicle.

When making a new-car purchase, considering a car’s fuel efficiency will always be--and has always been--an important part of any buyer’s check list. Consumer Guide’s 2011 Fuel Economy Champions article offers an extensive look at 2011's fuel misers. Here, you’ll find the most fuel-efficient cars from each one of our 18 classes. Because prices at the pump are digging deeper into people’s pockets these days, we’ve compiled an additional list of 10 of our fuel-stingiest test cars. The cars featured on this list come from several different classes and use a variety of different engines: regular gas engines, diesel engines, and hybrid powertrains.

1. 2011 Toyota Prius
2. 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid
3. 2011 Honda Insight
4. 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI
5. 2011 Honda CR-Z
6. 2011 Ford Fiesta
7. 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid
8. 2011 Mazda 2
9. 2011 Mini Clubman
10. 2011 Lexus HS 250h ... http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/ten-stingiest-test-cars-for-2011.htm

Would love to see Wayne's numbers @cleanmpg for each of these cars compared to ours.

Car | CG Automotive | CleanMPG
2011 Toyota Prius | 49.6 mpg | 66_mpg (2010) * (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20725)
2011 Honda Civic Hybrid | 45.7 mpg | 73.2_mpg (2008) (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15422)
2011 Honda Insight | 45.1 mpg | 69.5_mpg (2010) (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18649)
2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI | 42.2 mpg | 66.6_mpg (2009 Jetta TDI) (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26105")
2011 Honda CR-Z | 37.5 mpg | 59.3_mpg (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=274970)
2011 Ford Fiesta | 36.9 mpg | 63.5_mpg (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39050)
2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid | 36.5 mpg |62.2_mpg (2010) (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22218)
2011 Mazda 2 | 34.9 mpg | 68.5_mpg (in winter) (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36744)
2011 Mini Clubman | 34.7 mpg |
2011 Lexus HS 250h | 34.4 mpg | 57.9_mpg (2010) (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22831)


* Prius - results vary greatly based on driving style.
94.6 mpg
59.3 mpg
82.5 mpg
90.6 mpg

Hi Andrew:

I see at least one of yours missing from the list as well ;)

Wayne

Thanks, Wayne!

I'm trying to pull a more real-world number for some of these. Ie. not an all-out competition run, even though for some of us that IS real world.

Although it is only 125 miles, i got 48 mpg on the 2011 Fusion H, and i'm not even trying to hypermile; with just keeping 40mph on the highway and 15-20 on the city, with little or no a/c use...

Ok, Wayne. I found it and now you can tweet this back to them. :) Looks like it varies from 1.5x to 2x their numbers.

What about the 2011 Elantra

Hi Yogeiger:

The 11 Elantra ended up at 66.x mpg and I will have to post it in a few.

Wayne

The Elantra wasn't on CG's list.

What about the Cruze Eco? At 42 US EPA highway, it beats most of the vehicles except for the ones at the very top and it's a lot less expensive than a hybrid.

I propose a new list... "The Ten Stingiest Test Cars for 2011" as rated by CleanMPG.com

Rick

Hi GPLcoder:

The Cruze was one of our better drives this year :)

GM’s Most Fuel Efficient Car Coming to Chicago (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38092)

For 10-stingiest cars, I would have to separate city and highway drives as the Prius got roasted out on the Interstate at just 66 mpgUS whereas its around town segments were typical 80 + mpg Prius like.

Wayne

Hi Wayne,

Totally agree. The highway is where the Cruze shines. My highway only cruzes are incredible (eg: 60.3 US mpg on my last highway tank at mostly 47-48 mph tires at 51 psi).

I agree about separating the list into city and highway or... even better... hybrid's and non-hybrid's.

Rick

and it's a lot less expensive than a hybrid.

I'm pretty sure the Insight is cheaper, no?

Hi Wayne,

Totally agree. The highway is where the Cruze shines. My highway only cruzes are incredible (eg: 60.3 US mpg on my last highway tank at mostly 47-48 mph tires at 51 psi).

I agree about separating the list into city and highway or... even better... hybrid's and non-hybrid's.

Rick

Those are some nice numbers .... :)

I agree that separating the cars by class and drive-train would make much more sense ...

I'm pretty sure the Insight is cheaper, no?Theoretically, yes, slightly. The base Insight is about $250 cheaper than the cheapest Cruze Eco.

In reality, no. Base Insights are pretty much sold out, not to be replenished until at least fall due to the disasters in Japan. LXs, which themselves are about $1500 higher than the Cruze Eco, are almost gone too. An inventory search of 10 Honda dealerships in my area shows only 3 LXs left, and zero base Insights remaining. Still quite a few EXs available, though, if you don't mind paying $24k.

Theoretically, yes, slightly. The base Insight is about $250 cheaper than the cheapest Cruze Eco.



It was more of a jab at the "a lot less expensive than hybrids" comment :)

I'm glad we bought ours when they were cheap last year!

I'm pretty sure the Insight is cheaper, no?
Sorry,

I forgot about the Insight.

Being near the same price, maybe I should have gone for that instead of the Cruize. Nah... after years with the Prius II and the CVT, I needed a manual tranny and the Insight only comes one way (unlike the original Insight), with a CVT.

Rick