With fuel prices averaging $2.69 per gallon this week, the vehicle list below can help save you the most at the pump.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - 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
2009 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
2010 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
2010 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
2009 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
2010 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
2009 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
2009 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
2009 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
2009 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.
Re: The 10 most fuel-efficient automobiles available in America
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