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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg With fuel prices averaging $2.69 per gallon this week, the vehicle list below can help save you the most at the pump. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9350)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/074_2010_Prius.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) - Mar. 16, 2008

Hybrid and non-hybrid Fuel Efficiency comes to a head in terms of $’s and ¢. What is the cheapest vehicle to drive a standard distance of 15,000 miles per year with gasoline costing the current $2.69 per gallon available in America today? We put America’s vehicles to the test and the following may not surprise but may help you decide what your next vehicle may or may not be.

2010 Toyota Prius - Known as “the” hybrid vehicle and is quite the sales success for Toyota Motor Company. With fuel becoming more expensive and the Prius’ best in class fuel economy plus luxury amenities, expect to see many more on the road over the next few years.

Est. annual fuel cost: $807
50 MPG combined
Base price: $22,000


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/thumbs/Resize_of_Tarabell_s_2006_HCH-II.jpg2009 Honda Civic Hybrid - The Civic Hybrid combines a small 1.3L engine with a large electric motor to not only achieve the second highest fuel economy available in the US but perform similar to every other vehicle in terms of stop light to stop light performance.

Est. annual fuel cost: $961 -- 42 MPG combined -- Base price: $23,550

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/615/thumbs/2010_Honda_Insight_Headline_pic.jpg2010 Honda Insight-II - The Insight-II, like the HCH-II is driven by a 1.3L helped by a large electric motor. Not only is it rated as the third most fuel efficient vehicle available in the US, it is also the least expensive hybrid available.

Est. annual fuel cost: $984 -- 41 MPG combined -- Base price: $19,800


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/550/thumbs/10FusionHybrid_05.jpg2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - The Fusion Hybrid is powered by Ford’s latest 2.5L engine attached to Ford’s top of the line eCVT hybrid transaxle. It is by far the most fuel efficient Mid-sized sedan available.

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,035 -- 39 MPG combined -- Base price: $27,200



http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/thumbs/2008_Honda_Civic_GX.jpg2009 Honda Civic GX - The GX runs on compressed natural gas (CNG), not gasoline. Honda also sells an at-home pump system called Phil that uses your home's natural gas line to compress and than fill the vehicle. The Civic GX travels about 225 miles on a single fill-up.

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,071 -- 28 MPG combined/gallon equivalent on CNG -- Base price: $25,090

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/506/2010_Lexus_HS_250h.jpg2010 Lexus HS 250h – Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid provides its drivers with luxury, decent performance and great fuel economy thanks to the Camry Hybrid’s 2.4L motor and the latest iteration of Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,153 -- 35 MPG combined -- Base price: $34,200


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/thumbs/2009_JettaTDI_Passenger_Side_Front.jpg2009 VW Jetta TDI - The VW is powered by a 2.0L turbo-diesel. Along with its excellent fuel economy, its performance tops the list. The only diesel on the list, the Jetta’s fun to drive character makes it an excellent choice.

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,187 -- 34 MPG combined -- Base price: $22,270


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/508/thumbs/2007_Nissan_Altima_Hybrid_-_drivers_side_front.jpg2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid - Nissan’s only hybrid is for sold in only eight states with little hope of being sold in more. To bad as it could set the standard for mid-sized hybrid sedans that others would be compared to. Currently sporting a $1,250 rebate, its value may be even better.

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,187 -- 34 MPG combined -- Base price: $26,650

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/thumbs/2007_TCH.jpg2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid - The TCH as it is commonly known is the current US car sales leader. Add the Hybrid option and you receive what everybody else does plus excellent fuel economy. The battery pack takes up some trunk space but with the savings at the pump, most will forgo the smaller than average cargo carrying capacity while smiling all the way to the bank.

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,187 -- 34 MPG combined -- Base price: $26,150


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/thumbs/2008_Toyota_Yaris_3-Door_Hatch.jpg2009 Toyota Yaris - The smallest car in Toyota’s US lineup but with its hatchback and light weight, it has the utility of cars costing many more thousands of dollars and fuel economy rivaled only by the Smart ForTwo 2-seater among the gasoline consuming non-hybrids.

Est. annual fuel cost: $1,261 --32 MPG combined -- Base price: $12,205


* All Estimated annual fuel costs were based on 15,000 miles per year while using the 08 EPA combined figures. Fuel prices included $2.00 per gallon equivalent for CNG, $2.69 per gallon for regular unleaded, $2.89 per gallon of Premium unleaded in the case of the Smart Fortwo and Mini Cooper and $2.62 per gallon of diesel for the Jetta TDI.

I suggest the title of this post be changed to "The 10 cheapest to fuel automobiles available in America" since this list is sorted by the annual fuel cost.

Hi Bomber:

___Cheapest to fuel and most fuel efficient turns out to be the same thing, other than the calc’s on the GX. The title was to grab attention with the content to persuade. It looks pretty good right now too.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Cheaper and more efficient vehicles than any of those listed would be ANY BICYCLE.

Of course the Insight is cheaper to run and more efficient than any of those listed as well.

The Article seems more about New 2008 Cars and ignores anything not new, and any vehicle that is not an automobile.

Hi Bomber:

___Cheapest to fuel and most fuel efficient turns out to be the same thing, other than the calc’s on the GX. The title was to grab attention with the content to persuade. It looks pretty good right now too.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

The Smart ForTwo makes another exception due to using premium fuel.

IamIan you are correct, the article is itended as a quick review of 2008 model cars currently available in the States.

Cheers.

The Mazda 3 never gets marks for its fuel economy but I was getting a combined 32/33 like many on that list w/o hypermiling :(

Hi FocusGuy77:

___Fortunately, the Smart ForTwo can be driven on Regular unleaded with all the disclaimers known to the web. I added $0.20 per gallon in the calc’s for the Smart to run Premium to show a real fuel cost per mile at today’s fuel prices. I included the methodology in the bottom of the article if that helps?

___Iamian, have you seen this ( http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=665)?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I've used regular gas in my VW VR6 engine for 190k with zero negative effect - my VW/Audi 2.0 TFSI has run regular for 23k miles also with zero negative effect.

I'm just wondering when the Tesla Roadster will get added to fueleconomy.gov. Maybe it won't for some reason, but I hope it will. Yeah, it's an expensive car, but I just laugh when I imagine newscasters across the nation stumbling over "one hundred and thirty-five miles per gallon" when they annually talk about the most fuel-efficient cars. Well, I'm not entirely sure if they'll officially post 135 mpg. We'll see.

why not make an hybrid bicycle? Part electric, part pedal, and regenerate power down hills....would make some sense...I'd ride that all summer. how many lead acid batteries would you need? 2? 3? put a nice sized holder on the back coupled with a small electric motor? hmm...I need to look into this some more. or rather, an atv with an electric and pedal propulsion (for winter) ....oh so many possibilities...this is exciting!

Hi Mulad:

___Given the initial production launch of the Tesla today, I think Reid and I can do a little configuring of the article to include the Tesla and it will indeed be right on the top of the heap ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Yep, I saw they put out a press release and a blog post saying the assembly line has started up. It'll still be several weeks before they get in the hands of customers, since they need to get shipped to California before getting the battery pack and motor, but things are finally moving along. Heh, they're only a year behind schedule, right? ;-)

why not make an hybrid bicycle? Part electric, part pedal, and regenerate power down hills....would make some sense...I'd ride that all summer. how many lead acid batteries would you need? 2? 3? put a nice sized holder on the back coupled with a small electric motor? hmm...I need to look into this some more. or rather, an atv with an electric and pedal propulsion (for winter) ....oh so many possibilities...this is exciting!

They already exist. Just the problem is that the pre-made ones only have a range under 10 miles and stop assisting your pedaling once you hit 20 mph. They also look really really dorky. After the charge is gone then you're pedaling a bike that weighs 80 pounds.

You can however build your own for about $800 to $1000 with 1 or 2 batteries. It'll have a 15 mile range and no 20 mph speed restriction. From what I've read most people say that you don't want the bike to regenerate power while going down the hills because it slows the bike down too much, that it's better to just coast.

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid @ 32mpg. It beats a lot of those other automobiles.

why not make an hybrid bicycle? Part electric, part pedal, and regenerate power down hills....would make some sense...I'd ride that all summer. how many lead acid batteries would you need? 2? 3? put a nice sized holder on the back coupled with a small electric motor? hmm...I need to look into this some more. or rather, an atv with an electric and pedal propulsion (for winter) ....oh so many possibilities...this is exciting!
http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/intbikes_category.php?id=110

I'd love one, but doesn't get the kids to school.

I'm just wondering when the Tesla Roadster will get added to fueleconomy.gov. Maybe it won't for some reason, but I hope it will. Yeah, it's an expensive car, but I just laugh when I imagine newscasters across the nation stumbling over "one hundred and thirty-five miles per gallon" when they annually talk about the most fuel-efficient cars. Well, I'm not entirely sure if they'll officially post 135 mpg. We'll see.

The Tesla site lists the vehicle efficiently at 110 Wh/Mi. Which in my book is about 130.9 MPG, but there are two factors to consider. 110 Wh/Mi DC is probably going to translate to about 120-130 Wh/Mi AC since the inverter has some inefficiencies. So the 130.9 MPG, if measured against this will shrink to about 100 - 115 MPG. Also since these are figures that the Manufacturer is listing, they are probably kind of like CAFE numbers (66.7 MPG for Prius). Given that most (Joe Nascar) people are 30% below CAFE, I'd suspect that the real world efficency of the Tesla to be about 160 - 180 Wh/Mi or 80 - 90 MPG for your average non-schooled driver.

Of course, put Wayne behind the wheel and were in the 200 MPG range, no problem.

11011011

Of course, put Wayne behind the wheel and were in the 200 MPG range, no problem.
11011011

I would expect Wayne's Tesla to actually end up PRODUCING electrical output. "Wayne's Tesla power plant", or "little grid beauty". We'd have him drive continuously at night to provide power for a small village. :)

Here's what Tesla claims to have seen in real-world driving. I'm sure it's not the entire range that's possible, and this was also done with a different motor & transmisison than what actual consumers will get.

267 miles of conservative urban driving in the suburbs around San Carlos (a best-case scenario)
230 miles from North Lake Tahoe to San Carlos with two occupants plus luggage
227 miles of highway cruising on the I-5 freeway, south of Stockton
222 miles including sporty driving from San Carlos to Santa Cruz via the hilly Skyline Blvd, and highway cruising from Santa Cruz to San Carlos via Hwy 1, San Francisco, and US 101
213, 209 and 203 miles of highway cruising with A/C using I-280, Hwy 85 and US 101
186 miles of aggressive driving on I-280 and the round trip from Woodside to San Gregorio Beach via Hwy 84
165 miles of impatient commuting, aggressive stops and starts, high speeds, and air conditioning on from Saratoga Gap to San Carlos via Hwy 9, Hwy 85 and I-280 (a worst-case scenario)

http://www.teslamotors.com/blog4/?p=60

Interesting statistics!! I could go a LONG time on a charge if that is what they are seeing. :D

Interesting statistics!! I could go a LONG time on a charge if that is what they are seeing. :D

We'd lose more due to self-discharge because it's taking us so long to actually discharge it!

10 most fuel wasteful.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9549

11011011

The 2008 Ford Focus manual isn't too bad, 24 / 34. I test drove one and obtained 36 for a mixed test drive. I did not know about hypermiling yet. What took it off my list for a potential car was that the dealer could not find one with optional ABS for the top end model, but they did have them with the ambient lighting package that cost almost as much. Oh, the spare tire was optional too. The dealer said they just give you a can of Fix-A-Flat if you dont buy the option. Just imagining a flat on a deserted road, opening the trunk and only finding a can...

How did you measure the FE? Is there a built in display?

The Focus I drove had a text display at the top of the dash that could be reset for the trip. It also had Microsoft SYNC, a really nice feature. I am not sure if the trip FE is part of that package or standard for all versions.

I average over 40mpg without any hypermiling techniques...and my car is not listed in the top ten. I don't understand it.
Here is a log of this years fill ups.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/417256/thread/1210799602/40mpg+is+possible+in+a+family+car

I average over 40mpg without any hypermiling techniques...and my car is not listed in the top ten. I don't understand it.
Here is a log of this years fill ups.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/417256/thread/1210799602/40mpg+is+possible+in+a+family+car

I believe it is for new cars. I have an 06 TDI and I get over 40 also. so far there are no new TDI''s for 08.

The new Jetta TDI is 99% likely to be model-year 2009, coming either late summer or early fall. Some dealers have one on their lot now, but only for test-driving purposes. Most dealers should be in that situation by next month (June). I think the car is about a year behind schedule at this point (originally had been intended for late calendar year 2007, I think).

I'm glad I got my '06 when I did, but I'm really curious to see whether the EPA fuel economy ratings will go up or down. It'll have a 2.0-liter 140-hp engine if I recall, compared to a 1.9-liter 105-hp engine in the '06, so you'd expect fuel economy to go down. But, they're using a common-rail fuel system which allows for a lot of flexibility regarding when and how much fuel goes into the cylinder (up to five distinct injections per combustion cycle), so it could have some pretty big improvements.

Well, enough of that tangent...

Do you know what band width the o2 sensors operate on?Narrow or wide?:)

I hate modern cars because they have too much safety requirements and they have to make them 5 star rated tanks. Even the small cars stink when a FIT M/T can barely break 40 mpg nonhypermiled.

And Prius's are expensive! I'd like a $16,000 brand new car that can easily do 45 mpg weekly tanks nonhypermiled. Honda can do this if they downsize and improve the Civic.

Hi 99HXCivic:
I hate modern cars because they have too much safety requirements and they have to make them 5 star rated tanks. Even the small cars stink when a FIT M/T can barely break 40 mpg non-hypermiled.

And Prius' are expensive! I'd like a $16,000 brand new car that can easily do 45 mpg weekly tanks non-hypermiled. Honda can do this if they downsize and improve the Civic.
___If you owned a Prius right now, you would be paying less for fuel than your HX driving the same distance, enjoying lower depreciation, own a larger and safer vehicle and own one of the most reliable vehicles available on the road today. What is not to like about any of those attributes? You just cannot beat a Prius right now other than if one were to consider purchasing one with any kind of forced dealer installed extras or market adjustment garbage some have been adding as of late?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

lyekka I now owen a 2008 focus after about a month of research i bought one
the display is not avalible on the s model standerd on se and ses
sync is standard on ses optional on se, for 400 bucks it is nice but that is alot of money for it. It is really cool though.
i have been able to beat the epa ratings dispite the trips with the wife and air on full power
almost 35mpg
even with a few sprited runs in the over 75 mph it gets better than 33mpg.
it is a 5 speed 2dr and with the price of gas my wife wants to go in it instead of her new Edge which she loves but hates putting gas in wow that was some run on sentance.
The taurus at 23mpg was not good enough for me the new focus lowered my payment 55$ cut my gas use by 35% about 130$ per month talk about win win. It didn't make the top 10 but it is #1 to me.

I heard a local radio advertisement that compared a new Suzuki SX4 with a new Prius. They made the case that with the new SX4's initial cost of $7,000 less than the Pruis, and that taking into account their respective EPA fuel mileage ratings, that [based on annual fuel costs and on driving an average of 15,000 miles per year] it would take 17 years to make up the difference in initial cost. That was an eye opener. Can anyone here argue this claim?

Mike

I think the idea here is to use less fuel
or lets take your example too the extreem
by one FSP 500.00 thats less then the tax on either of your examples
25,000-500= 24500
24500/4.25 per gaolon 5764.5 gallon of gas
5700 x 12mpg =68,000 miles or about 5 years
oh lower insurance and taxes and forgot to and the preuis gas
no intrest payments
but if everyone thought this was gas would be $12 a gallon

I thought the Honda Fit was comparable to the Toyota Yaris in fuel economy. I also figured that the Honda Civic was comparable to the Toyota Corolla, for the same reason. What about these small unusual electric cars, aside from the Tesla that I heard about ?

I heard a local radio advertisement that compared a new Suzuki SX4 with a new Prius. They made the case that with the new SX4's initial cost of $7,000 less than the Pruis, and that taking into account their respective EPA fuel mileage ratings, that [based on annual fuel costs and on driving an average of 15,000 miles per year] it would take 17 years to make up the difference in initial cost. That was an eye opener. Can anyone here argue this claim?
You'll have to do the math for your specific situation. However, this list is simply the most fuel-efficient, not necessarily the cheapest overall.


I thought the Honda Fit was comparable to the Toyota Yaris in fuel economy. I also figured that the Honda Civic was comparable to the Toyota Corolla, for the same reason. What about these small unusual electric cars, aside from the Tesla that I heard about ?
Those would both be true if Honda would stop crippling their cars with short gear ratios. They could easily be comparable with that simple change. I've been very disappointed by this fact for a number of years.

It really is a shame that General Motors doesn't have a small car with good fuel economy. The Consumer Reports ratings for the Chevrolet Aveo, Cobalt, and the Saturn Ion were poor in comparison to this web site's top ten list of fuel efficient cars.

I heard a local radio advertisement that compared a new Suzuki SX4 with a new Prius. They made the case that with the new SX4's initial cost of $7,000 less than the Pruis, and that taking into account their respective EPA fuel mileage ratings, that [based on annual fuel costs and on driving an average of 15,000 miles per year] it would take 17 years to make up the difference in initial cost. That was an eye opener. Can anyone here argue this claim?

Mike

Willing to bet you lose $7k in depreciation on the Suzuki in less than 5 years.

It's all about TCO, the Prius is just about the best (for a *new* car).

The numbers tip in the Prius' favor very quickly as miles per year increases.

I have a couple of comments about including BMW's Mini convertable.

First, all Minis require premium gasoline. While some "premium" cars can stomach regular, I've heard that the Minis can take it perhaps every other tank. But that's heresay.

But, the premium hit was not figured in, and driving a Mini on regular is likely to get lower than EPA numbers. Surely it could not achieve the same yearly fuel cost as the Yaris?

Second, the 5 speed manual Mini convertable is only rated at 27.5 combined (on premium gas). The auto only gets 26. This makes the current annual fuel cost somewhere between $2298 and $2388 (according to fueleconomy.gov).

Hi Mulad:

___But it will rise to the top of the charts on all continents and I cannot wait to see the first. Since the production line is moving, I guess we should add it here now and out goes the Corolla!

___Maybe a separate and exclusive category would be in order as well given the exclusive pricing of the Tesla?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Since February of this year I am averaging 44 mpg in the Smart Fortwo. A low MPG rating of 38 and a high of 54 (with some hypermiling techniques) and I fill-up every 3 days with about 7-8 gallons of premium. But, the gas savings alone are making the car payment on the little car which I enjoy driving.

Well, I just calculated that my annual fuel cost with my Yaris Auto, even in the worst of conditions, would be less than the Prius:D

If gas was $4.00 a gallon, and I only averaged 48mpg (I am now hitting 54mpg), and drove 12,000 miles a year, which is about 1000 more than I usually do, I would be at 9.5cents/mile. I would be spending exactly $1000 dollars a year in gas.

At current prices with my current mpg and mileage ($3.50/gal, 50mpg, 11,500 miles), which comes out to 7cents/mile, I would be paying $805 a year for gas! Compare that to the $1354 the average driver would get if they only achieved the EPA estimates of 31mpg combined.

Now THAT'S the perks of hypermiling!

I'm gonna get a new bumper sticker to harass FSPs with: "My car runs a year on what your car uses in 3 months!"

I hear ya. There's a guy at work who drives a full sized GMC Truck. He was bragging about how his new Truck gets almost 700 km's on 90 litres. I'm getting over 900 kms on 40 litres with the Yaris and I'm not bragging. I told him in 2 days driving to work, he uses more gas than I use all week. He doesn't believe me, but it's people like him who make me feel smart.... to a degree anyways.

Hi All:

___Per a members request, I updated the list including the latest top 10 including their 08 EPA combined, MSRP’s, average fuel costs and total fuel costs.

___Unfortunately, the VW TDI’s did not make the 10 most fuel efficient on a cost basis because diesel is still running $3.50 per gallon on average nationwide and with a 34 mpg combined rating, the TDI with a stick costs $1,544 to refuel which just missed the cut.

___I still have not figured out a way to include the Tesla properly given its no fuel use status and even on electricity per gallons of gasoline consumed equivalent would trounce the entire list including the hybrids!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Paul:

___All the vehicles are 09’s except for the Smart as their is no 09 yet…

___There are also any number of ways to calculate kWh/Mile to gallon equivalent including the DOE’s own but the latest report on the Tesla was 255 city/235 highway for a 244 mpg rating on the non-adjusted (2) test CAFÉ’ standards. With adjustments, 229 city/193 highway for 212 mpgUS combined.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi All:

___I updated the 10 most fuel-efficient new automobiles available in America list with the addition of the all-new 2010 Honda Insight-II, 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2009 VW Jetta TDI. The Smart Fortwo, Honda Fit and Mini Cooper no longer make the cut.

___Fuel costs were recalculated with the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded this week at $2.69 per gallon, Premium at $2.89, CNG at $2.00 and Diesel at $2.62.

___When the 2010 Lexus HS 250h is released later this summer, the Ford Escape SUV and Yaris will be hanging on by their fingertips.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Sad to see my Fit come off the list--but I'm glad to see more Hybrids added. Someday I will be able to afford one (though I'll drive the fit until it falls apart or I can pass it off to my g/f).

-P

You know I thought I was doing good at 37.2 mpg city with my Honda Fit. Some of you guys make my Fit look like a gas hog. I just wonder if you can do that everyday in normal driving conditions.

Hi, John! Welcome to the site. :)

Oh yes, we do it each and every day. :D Have a look at our Daily Grind threads here:

The Daily Grind (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30)

Hi All:

___A short early September update...

___I pulled the 32 mpg rated 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid while adding the all-new, 35 mpg rated 2010 Lexus HS 250h. In November, the Yaris will fall off when the Audi A3 TDI is officially available at an Audi dealership near you.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I'm not sure I agree with that - putting the A3 TDI on the list. It's mechanically very similar to the Jetta, which is already on the list. Is there enough difference to warrant both of them being on the list? The Mercury Mariner and Milan hybrids are not included, so why the A3? I think the Yaris is more useful to have on the list, as it's a very flexible, very inexpensive and still highly efficient option that's within the reach of anyone shopping for a car.

Hi Andrew:

___The Audi A3 TDI is more fuel efficient (42 mpg highway - 35 mpgUS combined) than the Jetta TDI (41 mpg highway - 34 mpgUS combined) so they are doing something different.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Interesting. I'm curious to know what the difference is. And why they're not doing it on the Jetta as well.

2009 Honda Civic GX Est. annual fuel cost: $1,071 -- 28 MPG combined/gallon equivalent on CNG -- Base price: $25,090

Shouldn't that be 38 MPG?

I own a 2003 VW newbeetle with a diesel engine. I average around 50 mpg. That is as good as the best car you listed. Furthermore, diesels do better than hybrids on open road driving. Perhaps, the article only listed gasoline powered cars or is biased towards city driving.

Totally awesome article.

I love the Yaris, personally.

Wow. someone certainly resurrected this article. That list was from 2008, I'm sure it looks a bit different now.