Here’s the breakdown of the top ten. This list is based on 15,000 miles per year and an average price per gallon of $3.22 (when this list was originally assembled in March of 2008).
2008 Toyota Prius: combined mileage (highway/city) 46 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,053.00. Base vehicle cost new: $21,100.00
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid: combined mileage (highway/city) 42 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,153.00. Base vehicle cost new: $22,600.00
2008 Honda Civic GX: The GX runs on Compressed Natural Gas, not gasoline. combined mileage (highway/city) 28 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,280.00. Base vehicle cost new: $24,590.00
2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid: combined mileage (highway/city) 34 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,425.00. Base vehicle cost new: $25,170.00
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid: combined mileage (highway/city) 34 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,425.00. Base vehicle cost new: $25,350.00
2008 Smart ForTwo: combined mileage (highway/city) 36 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,428.00. Base vehicle cost new: $11,590.00
2008 Toyota Yaris: combined mileage (highway/city) 32 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,514.00. Base vehicle cost new: $11,350.00
2008 Mini Cooper: combined mileage (highway/city) 32 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,514.00. Base vehicle cost new: $00,000.00
2009 Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid: combined mileage (highway/city) 32 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,514.00. Base vehicle cost new: $26,505.00
2009 Toyota Corolla: combined mileage (highway/city) 31 mpg. Annual fuel cost estimate: $1,562.00. Base vehicle cost new: $15,250.00
These vehicles each have their pluses and minuses, but overall they are good, quality-built cars. However, the caveats still apply to purchasing new vehicles that use untested technologies. And there are other costs relating to continuing maintenance and up-keep. Will those costs be significantly higher as the cars age? For example, what would the cost be to replace batteries on a hybrid?
These are things not to be taken lightly as one shops for fuel efficiency. In the end if you must make a change in vehicle, look at this list and determine if one of these is right for you. Otherwise, using a little common sense, and conservative driving practices could save you in fuel costs on whatever it is you drive now.
Share and Enjoy:
I recently bought a 2008 Chevy HHR … it gets about 30 mpg, which I think is excellent. Prior to this car I had a 1997 Chevy Cavalier… which is still being used as a commuter car back and forth to work for my husband to this day - I chose the HHR because of the great experience I’ve had with the Cavalier (the vehicles have similar engines, just different body-types with the HHR giving a little more room in the backseat and cargo area).
If maintenance on the HHR is similar to maintenance over the years on the Cavalier, I will be one happy girl!