The 10 Most Fuel Efficient New Vehicles Out There
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 National average of $3.229 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.
2008 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: $1,053
46 MPG combined
Base price: $21,100
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid - The Civic Hybrid combines a small 1.3-liter 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: $1,153 — 42 MPG combined — Base price: $22,600
2008 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: $1,280 — 28 MPG combined/gallon equivalent on CNG — Base price: $24,590
2008 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: $1,425 — 34 MPG combined — Base price: $25,170
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: $1,425 — 34 MPG combined –Base price: $25,350
2008 Smart ForTwo - The ForTwo is by far the most attraction getting vehicle of the group albeit with a few shortcomings. Namely, it is a 2-seater with minimal cargo carrying capacity and an unnerving auto-manual transmission. For a city citizen, nothing can park like a Smart and fill-ups will not hurt nearly as bad as other choices available.
Est. annual fuel cost: $1,428 on Premium Fuel — 36 MPG combined –Base price: $11,590
2008 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 non-hybrids.
Est. annual fuel cost: $1,514 –32 MPG combined — Base price: $11,350
2008 Mini Cooper - The Mini has a cult like following stemming from its unique British heritage. With BMW inspired handling and a look a city dweller loves. It was a success upon first release and with its fuel efficiency, a success in the pocket book as well.
Est. annual fuel cost: $1,514 — 32 MPG combined — Base price: $18,050
2009 Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid - Most fuel efficient SUV on earth proves yet again the hybrids worth as it reaches into the top 10 while offering the size and utility of a small SUV.
Est. annual fuel cost: $1,514 — 32 MPG combined — Base price: $26,505
2009 Toyota Corolla - The Corolla is the ubiquitous fuel saver for the common man. Not a hybrid but with hybrid like fuel economy and well known for both its rock solid reliability and low initial price.
Est. annual fuel cost: $1,562 — 31 MPG combined — Base price: $15,250
* All Estimated annual fuel costs were based on 15,000 miles per year, $2.39 per gallon equivalent CNG, $3.229 for gallon of regular unleaded and $3.429 for a gallon of Premium unleaded in the case of the Smart Fortwo and the 08 EPA combined of the various vehicles.
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