Do consumers vote with their dollars for higher mpg?

Car buyers aren't just paying lip service regarding good fuel economy, they are putting their money where their mouth is.

According to a new study (pdf) by the Consumer Federation of America, fully 88 percent of consumers say fuel economy is an important factor in choosing their next car, and they expect their next cars to get as much as seven mpg more than their current ride.

Further, survey respondents indicated that they support strict government standards to ensure cars continue to get better fuel economy: 85 percent said they support the federal 54.5 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards passed last year. (Read our position on the new standards.)

To learn about saving gas, visit our guide to fuel economy.