When looking into any new vehicle purchase, it's just common sense (cents?) to know how thirsty your new set of wheels will be. Regularly filling that fuel tank affects everything from monthly spending cash (and savings) to the environment (think global warming.) So whether or not you can--or want--to use alternative fuels, here's the official fuel economy accounting of the leaders, thanks to www.fueleconomy.gov.
These are the vehicles that provide the highest fuel economy in each class--some are equipped with a manual transmission (m), some automatic (a). The MPG rating is city/highway mileage and the numbers assume driving 55 percent in the city and 45 percent on the highway, 15,000 miles per year. Links go to 2008 photos.Two-seater Cars
Audi TT Roadster (a) - 22/29
Mazda MX-5 (m) - 22/27
Minicompact Cars
Mini Cooper Convertible (m) - 23/32 (a) - 22/30
Subcompact Cars
Toyota Yaris (m) - 29/36 (a) - 29/35
Compact Cars
Honda Civic Hybrid (a) - 40/45
Toyota Corolla (m) 28/37
Midsize Cars
Toyota Prius Hybrid (a) - 48/45
Nissan Versa (m) - 26/31
Large Cars
Honda Accord 4-door Sedan (m) - 28/34 (a) - 21/31
Station Wagons
Honda Fit (m) - 28/34 (a) - 27/34
VW Passat Wagon - (m) 21/29 - (a) 20/28
Small Pickup Trucks
Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD (m) - 21/26
Mazda B2300 2WD (m) - 21/26
Toyota Tacoma 2WD (a) - 19/25
Standard Pickup Trucks
Dodge Dakota Pickup 2WD (m) - 16/20 (a) - 15/20
Mitsubishi Raider Pickup 2WD (m) - 16/20 (a) - 15/20
Chevrolet C15 Silverado 2WD (gas/flex-fuel only) (a) - 15/20
GMC C15 Sierra 2WD (gas/flex-fuel only) (a) - 15/20
Honda Ridgeline 4WD (a) - 15/20
Minivans
Dodge Caravan 2WD (gas/flex-fuel only) (a) - 17/24
Chrysler Town & Country 2WD (gas/flex-fuel only) (a) - 17/24
SUVs
Ford Escape Hybrid FWD (a) - 34/30
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD (a) - 34/30
Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD (a) - 34/30
Jeep Compass 2WD (m) - 23/28
Jeep Patriot 2WD (m) - 23/28
