It’s no secret that fuel prices have been steadily rising – and unfortunately, there are no signs this ever-increasing cost will slow down soon. In fact, as we head into 2024, trends suggest that oil and gasoline prices will continue to rise over the next year. As a result, new car buyers will likely be paying closer attention to those MPG numbers on the window sticker.
Fuel efficiency is key to keeping gasoline costs under control and within budget. Luckily, with more hybrid, electric, and gas-efficient options available today than ever before, it’s actually pretty easy to find a vehicle that gets you where you’re going without breaking the bank (or the planet). So, if you’re looking for some vehicles with the best gas mileage around, we’re sharing 10 top picks below.
How Do Fuel Economy Ratings Work?
When you’re shopping for a vehicle with stellar MPG or fuel efficiency, it’s important to ask one big question: What, exactly, do these terms mean?
Nearly every new vehicle sold in the U.S. carries an official fuel economy rating. Given by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this rating is determined via two main test cycles: a City MPG test, which simulates urban driving conditions where the vehicle operates at lower speeds, with frequent stops and starts; and a Highway MPG test, which focuses on the higher, relatively constant speeds experienced when driving a highway. The EPA also creates a Combined MPG rating by calculating a weighted average of the city and highway MPG values – usually about 55% city and 45% highway. Think of the combined MPG as the ‘bottom line’ fuel efficiency of a vehicle.
This means that each car, truck, or SUV you see on a dealership lot carries three MPG ratings. However, it is the combined rating that is typically of most use to consumers, as it paints a good picture of what a person can expect the average performance of the vehicle in a typical driving scenario to look like.
Just keep in mind that these ratings aren’t solely based on fuel gauge readings. The EPA uses a combination of methods to estimate fuel consumption, including measuring the amount of carbon (and other emissions) released in the vehicle's exhaust. This means there’s typically a bit of a difference between real-world results and the EPA’s official fuel economy data.
Which Vehicles Have the Best Fuel Economy?
It should come as no surprise that one type of vehicle reigns supreme when it comes to fuel economy: hybrids.
After all, hybrid vehicles rely on both a battery and traditional gas to power their engines. As a result, they inherently use less fuel and see significantly higher MPG ratings compared to gas-only vehicles. (Their dual-sourced power also tends to give them longer driving range than a pure EV, too.)
That said, hybrid vehicles can be costly – and the technology behind them can vary widely from automaker to automaker. Since there are still plenty of affordable, fuel-efficient gas rides on the market, this list includes a mix of both gas and hybrid options, across various segments, that are worth your consideration.
Compact Vehicles and Sedans
Toyota Prius. As the grandfather of modern consumer hybrid vehicles and a longtime standout in fuel efficiency, it’s no surprise that today’s Toyota Prius is one of the best compact vehicles when it comes to gas mileage. The 2023 redesign gave the beloved hybrid’s power output and fuel efficiency a great boost, delivering a stellar 57 city/56 highway/57 combined MPG.
Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Elantra Hybrid. The Hyundai Elantra is a popular sedan, and for good reason. It offers a variety of engine and transmission options, letting drivers really customize their experience and their car’s fuel economy. The regular base Elantra SE is nicely fuel efficient, with 33 city/42 highway/37 combined MPG. However, if you want to get serious about saving fuel, the Elantra Hybrid delivers an even more impressive 53 city/56 highway/54 combined MPG.
Toyota Crown. This brand-new sedan from Toyota -- a notoriously fuel-efficient automaker -- is a standout when it comes to good MPG in its segment. The Crown is considered a hybrid sedan, though its vehicle’s design really straddles the line between sedan and crossover. Either way, its hybrid engine delivers a 42 city/41 highway/41 combined MPG.
Honda Civic. When it comes to economic daily drivers, the Honda Civic practically sets the standard. For decades, it’s been a #1 choice for new drivers, and that’s largely because it hits the consumer trifecta as an attractive, affordable, and fun to drive vehicle. There are plenty of trims available – some of which are surprisingly well-equipped for a car most commonly associated with lead-footed teenagers. What’s really impressive though is that, even in the most base-level entry option, you still get 31 city/40 highway/35 combined MPG.
Crossovers and SUVs
Toyota RAV4 Prime. If you’re looking for a crossover that’s truly impressive when it comes to saving at the pump, then the RAV4 Prime from Toyota is a must-see. This fuel-savvy model features an EPA rating of 40 city/36 highway/38 MPG combined, and that’s thanks to its hybrid powertrain. On a single charge, you’ll be able to drive up to 42 miles before the engine switches from electricity over to gasoline.
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid might be a compact, two-row SUV that’s all about saving space, but it also deserves plenty of attention for saving fuel, too. This hybrid has a great fuel economy rating, earning 37 city/36 highway/37 combined MPG from the EPA in its 2023 model class. It’s also highly rated by auto experts for its luxurious touches, despite being relatively affordable within its class.
Subaru Crosstrek: Freshly redesigned for 2024, the newest iteration of the Subaru Crosstrek carries a solid MPG rating: 27 city/34 highway/29 combined. While this is noticeably lower than the hybrid SUVs and crossovers in its class, the Crosstrek is entirely gas-powered, making it noticeably more fuel-efficient than many similarly-sized options it competes with.
Pickup Trucks
Ford Maverick. There’s no denying the impressive fuel efficiency of the Ford Maverick; after all, it’s a hybrid pickup truck. According to the EPA, hybrid versions of the Maverick are rated for 42 city/33 highway/37 combined, delivering a truly incredible fuel economy for the – albeit, small – pickup segment. While non-hybrid powertrains are available (and do perform better than most trucks at 23 city/30 highway MPG with front-wheel drive), the hybrid is the most efficient on the menu.
Nissan Frontier. While it’s not the most fuel-efficient mid-size truck on the market, the newly-redesigned Nissan Frontier offers consumers a solid and powerful gas option that won’t leave them wincing every time they fuel up. Stylish and capable, the Frontier pumps out a best-in-class 310 horsepower while also delivering fuel returns of 18 city/24 highway/20 combined.
GMC Sierra 1500 Diesel. Sizable pickup trucks aren’t exactly known for their good fuel efficiency, but the GMC Sierra aims to push against that reputation. Thanks to a new turbo-diesel engine in the lineup, the 1500 model can serve consumers with an impressive 26 MPG combined (23 city/30 highway). That’s better fuel economy than its smaller stablemate, the Canyon diesel! Not interested in the Sierra’s higher-class looks? Then check out its GM corporate sibling, the Chevy Silverado, which offers the same fuel-economic diesel powertrain.