Yahoo Autos Best gas mileage cars
If you're looking for the cars with the best gas mileage, your best bets are hybrids and EVs, and with the latter, then it's a case of energy efficiency considering the lack of gasoline. But maybe you don't like the idea of an electrified vehicle. Maybe you're concerned about more complicated powertrains or new technologies. Maybe you're put off by the extra up-front cost of those vehicles. So what's the best way to get good fuel economy, without batteries? Well, we've pulled together the 10 most fuel-efficient cars that only run on gasoline.
Mitsubishi Mirage: 39 mpg combined
When you can't be electrified, you need to achieve high efficiency with other strategies. In the case of the Mitsubishi Mirage, those come from low weight (just 2,084 pounds) and low power (just 78 horsepower). That's how the Mirage manages to top the list at 39 mpg combined. In the city it gets 36 mpg, and on the highway it manages 43, both of which are tops in this list, too. That just applies to the hatchback, though. The sedan would technically be second on the list with 37 mpg combined, but we're generally lumping together body styles.
The other big draw of the Mirage is that it's incredibly cheap and has a long warranty. The base hatchback starts at $18,110 with destination, making it one of the cheapest cars on the road. And it has a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. So if you're looking for maximum frugality above literally all else, it's hard to top the Mirage.
Honda Civic: 36 mpg combined
While the Mirage wins technically, it makes many compromises to achieve its price and fuel economy. The rest of the list provides far better balancing of economy with being quality modern automobiles. And coming in second is the Honda Civic sedan in EX trim with the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and CVT. This variant manages 33 mpg in the city, 42 on the highway and 36 combined. Going to the Touring trim drops fuel economy to 34 combined, and the 2.0-liter non-turbo engine gets between 33 and 35. The most efficient hatchback gets 35 mpg combined. The hatch is even available with a manual transmission, but it's also the least efficient (31 mpg).
Then there's the Si and Type R, but with much more power and handling upgrades, they're basically different models. Regardless, almost every version of the Civic is quite frugal. But, and in particular the turbo engine, the Civic is smooth, peppy enough, comfortable and handles well. Plus it has a huge cabin for its class and good cargo space. The hatchback is naturally the most practical. There's a reason we call it the best compact car.
Hyundai Elantra: 36 mpg combined
Nearly tying the Civic is the Elantra. The CVT-equipped 2.0-liter SE model has the same combined mileage, though at 32 city and 41 highway, it's a little bit behind in those specific categories. Higher trims dip to 34 mpg combined. But otherwise, the Elantra does basically everything the Civic does with loads of space and impressive refinement. It's a bit slow with just a 147-horsepower naturally aspirated engine, and it's not quite as engaging to drive. But otherwise, the Elantra is another excellent small sedan choice, regardless of fuel economy. We're not discussing the N Line and N models that get notably worse fuel economy and are arguably different models.
Kia Rio: 36 mpg combined
In an actual tie, the Kia Rio matches the Hyundai Elantra with the same combined fuel economy, as well as city and highway (32, 41). That applies to both the sedan and hatchback. And being a subcompact competing with the Mirage, it's very cheap, starting at just under $18,000. With a small body and 120 horsepower, it's peppy, and it has surprisingly engaging handling. Basically, it's far less compromised than the Mirage, and thus a better choice for the segment.
Toyota Corolla: 35 mpg combined
Next up is the Toyota Corolla, and in SE trim with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder, it gets 35 mpg combined, 32 in the city and 41 on the highway. That puts it nearly tied with the Elantra, though with more horsepower. Fuel economy does dip to 34 combined with higher trims. Impressively, the hatchback matches the sedan in most trims, with the XSE dipping to 33 mpg combined. That's certainly appreciated as the hatchback offers some extra versatility with cargo capability. The Corolla is a rather sporty-looking thing and isn't too bad to drive. Though the engine is a bit coarse, and the interior is a bit small compared to the Honda and Hyundai.
