The fluctuation of gas prices in recent years indicates that purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle at present can result in substantial savings on gasoline expenses in the future. If you wish to avoid using the pump completely, an all-electric vehicle would be the most suitable choice. However, suppose you are not yet prepared to switch to owning an electric vehicle. In that case, the next most favourable alternative is a gas-only, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid vehicle with high fuel efficiency ratings.
Here are three lists of the most economical gas-powered cars, organized by type: gas-only, gas-electric hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. Please be aware that the EPA has only provided estimates for these ratings and that your actual mileage may differ due to a number of factors, some of which you can control.
Cars that run solely on gasoline and have the highest fuel efficiency
Mitsubishi Mirage
The 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage is not only the most fuel-efficient gas-powered automobile available, but it is also one of the most reasonably priced options. The Mirage hatchback and Mirage G4 sedan, both of which are exclusively available in front-wheel drive, are equipped with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 78 horsepower.
Starting in 2023, the manual transmission has been retired and replaced with a continuously variable automatic transmission, which is now included as standard. The hatchback Mirage is the most fuel-efficient, with a rating of 36/43/39 mpg city/highway/combined. The Mirage G4 sedan has a rating of 35/41/37 mpg.
Hyundai Elantra
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra provides customers with a range of engine and transmission options, all with front-wheel drive. Among the Elantras that are only powered by gasoline engines, the base SE is the most fuel-efficient. It has a 147-hp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated with a CVT and achieves 33/42/37 mpg.
The versions of the Elantra with additional options and the same powertrain have a slightly lower fuel efficiency at 30/40/34 mpg. The more athletic N Line comes with a 201-hp, turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has a fuel efficiency rating of 28/36/31 mpg.
Those who prioritize performance rather than fuel efficiency can opt for the Elantra N. It is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 276 horsepower. With the standard six-speed manual transmission, it has a fuel economy rating of 22 miles per gallon in the city, 31 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined rating of 25 miles per gallon.
Alternatively, with the optional eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, it has a fuel economy rating of 20 miles per gallon in the city, 30 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined rating of 23 miles per gallon.
Honda Civic
The 2023 Honda Civic is another car that offers a wide range of options for purchasers. It is available in both sedan and hatchback body designs, with three engine choices and the possibility of either a six-speed manual transmission (in the hatchbacks or sportier Si sedan) or a CVT.
The most effective 2023 Civic is the EX model with the more potent 180-hp, turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which has a fuel efficiency rating of 33/42/36 mpg. The highest trim level of the sedan, known as the Touring, has a fuel efficiency rating of 31 miles per gallon in the city, 38 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined rating of 34 miles per gallon.
The primary engine in the Civic is a 158-horsepower, 2.0-litre four-cylinder. The sedan has a maximum rating of 31/40/35 mpg in the base LX and 30/37/33 mpg in the Sport. The Si is exclusively offered with a six-speed manual transmission and a 200-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It has a fuel efficiency rating of 27 miles per gallon in the city, 37 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined rating of 31 miles per gallon when using premium gasoline.
The hatchback has the same engine and transmission options, save for the high-performance Type R. The turbo 1.5-litre engine, when paired with a CVT, has a maximum fuel efficiency rating of 31/39/35 mpg. The standard engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) has a fuel efficiency rating of 30 miles per gallon in the city, 38 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined rating of 33 miles per gallon.
Opt for the six-speed manual transmission, and you may achieve a maximum fuel efficiency of 28/37/31 mpg with the turbo 1.5-litre engine or 26/36/29 mpg with the 2.0-litre engine. The Type R has a 315-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission. It achieves a fuel efficiency of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway.
Kia Rio
The Kia Rio comes in two options: a sedan or a five-door hatchback. Both options have a 120-hp, 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with a standard CVT. The Rio has a fuel economy rating of 32/41/36 mpg, making it not very fuel-efficient. However, it is considered one of the best-value new cars due to its inexpensive pricing and extensive list of options.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla takes the fifth spot on the list. It received safety and tech updates for 2023. The gas-powered sedan and hatchback versions of the Corolla come back with a 169-hp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and a standard CVT. The six-speed manual transmission that used to be available for the basic Corolla is no longer offered, and it is now only found in the GR Corolla hot hatch. The Corolla hatchback SE and the sedan LE are the most fuel-efficient options, with a rating of 32/41/35 mpg. The sedan’s SE and XSE models have a fuel economy of 31/40/34 mpg, while the hatchback XSE has a fuel efficiency of 30/38/33 mpg.
Gasoline-electric hybrids with the highest fuel efficiency
2023 Toyota Prius Limited – Front Exterior Angle
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid has a fuel efficiency rating of 53 miles per gallon in the city, 56 miles per gallon on the highway, and 54 miles per gallon combined.
Kia Niro Hybrid: 53/54/53 miles per gallon
The Toyota Camry Hybrid has a fuel efficiency rating of 51 miles per gallon in the city, 53 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined rating of 52 miles per gallon.
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has a fuel efficiency rating of 50 miles per gallon in the city, 54 miles per gallon on the highway, and 52 miles per gallon combined.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius received a new 2.0-litre engine and lithium-ion battery during its 2023 redesign, which resulted in increased power output and improved fuel efficiency for the hybrid vehicle. The base LE trim of the Prius, which has a power output of 194 horsepower and front-wheel drive, is the most fuel-efficient option with a mileage of 57/56/57 mpg. If you choose the AWD variation with a second electric motor, which has a power output of 196 horsepower, the fuel economy lowers to 53/54/54 mpg. Moving up to higher trims such as the XLE and Limited similarly results in a decreased rating of 52/52/52 mpg for FWD and 49/50/49 mpg for AWD.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
The Hyundai Elantra has featured again, this time as a hybrid vehicle, with a combined power output of 139 horsepower from its 1.6-litre gasoline four-cylinder engine, electric motor, and battery pack. The only gearbox option available is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The standard Blue model is the most fuel-efficient option, achieving a mileage of 53/56/54 mpg. Models with more features have a slightly lower fuel efficiency rating of 49/52/50 mpg.
Kia Niro Hybrid
The Kia Niro has undergone significant changes for the 2023 model year and is now offered with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric powertrain options. The Niro hybrid’s FE trim in its base level produces 139 horsepower from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder gas-electric powertrain and achieves a fuel efficiency rating of 53/54/53 miles per gallon. Opting for higher trims such as the EX Touring or SX Touring reduces the tiny SUV’s fuel economy to 53/45/49 mpg.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is equipped with a 208-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder gas-electric powertrain and a CVT. In its base LE configuration, it achieves a fuel efficiency of 51/53/52 mpg. The fuel efficiency of the mid-size sedan decreases for the higher trims, with the SE, SE Nightshade, XLE, and XSE models achieving 44/47/46 mpg.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid no longer has the solar roof option, although the mid-size sedan still maintains its fuel efficiency rating of 50/54/52 for the standard Blue trim. Opting for the SEL or Limited trims of the Sonata Hybrid results in a decrease in fuel economy to 45/51/47 mpg. The hybrid is equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD) and is driven by a 192-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder gas-electric powertrain, which is connected to a six-speed automated transmission.
Plug-in hybrids with the highest fuel efficiency
Lexus NX 450h+
The Lexus NX 450h+ is now at the top of the EPA’s list of plug-in hybrid vehicles with the highest fuel efficiency. However, it is expected to be surpassed by the improved fuel efficiency ratings for the 2023 model years of cars such as the Toyota Prius Prime and Kia Niro PHEV. The 2023 NX 450h+ features a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, several electric motors, and a lithium-ion battery. It achieves a combined fuel efficiency rating of 84 mpg-e for both electric and gas power and 36 mpg combined in hybrid mode. The electric range of the SUV is evaluated to be 37 miles.
Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid
The powertrain of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid consists of a 3.6-liter V-6 engine, dual electric motors, and a battery pack, resulting in a total system horsepower of 260. The minivan achieves a combined fuel efficiency of 82 miles per gallon equivalent (mpg-e), 30 miles per gallon (mpg) in hybrid mode, and has an electric range of 32 miles. The fuel efficiency estimates of the Pacifica Hybrid were consistent with real-world results in our most recent evaluation.
Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid
The Hyundai Tucson introduced a plug-in hybrid version in 2022, and the 2023 Tucson PHEV comes back with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and a lithium-ion battery pack, resulting in a combined system output of 261 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) SUV has an efficiency rating of 80 miles per gallon equivalent (mpg-e) when combined, and 35 miles per gallon (mpg) when operating in hybrid mode. The electric range of this vehicle is 33 miles, but its overall projected range is 420 miles. Discover how the Tucson plug-in hybrid compared to the Toyota RAV4 Prime in our real-world efficiency test.
Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid
While the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV has the same motor and power output as the Tucson PHEV, it is somewhat less fuel-efficient than its counterpart. The fuel efficiency is 76 miles per gallon equivalent (mpg-e) when combined and 33 miles per gallon (mpg) in hybrid mode. The SUV’s electric range is rated up to 31 miles with a total capacity of 440 miles. However, it surpassed the predicted electric field in our real-world test.
Volvo V60 Recharge
The Volvo V60 Recharge’s top-of-the-line T8 extended range edition has a total system horsepower of 455 and an impressive fuel efficiency rating of 74 mpg-e combined. The Polestar-engineered wagon is equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, which provide standard all-wheel drive. The V60 Recharge T8 offers an electric range of up to 40 miles and a total range of 530 miles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing a car with the best fuel mileage depends on your specific needs. Consider factors like fuel efficiency, vehicle size, and your driving habits to make an informed decision. Research various models and stay updated on advancements in fuel-efficient technologies to find the perfect balance between performance and economy for your driving lifestyle