What Car Gets the Best Gas Mileage?

As gas prices continue to soar, fuel efficiency has become an important factor for those buying a new vehicle. Most buyers know that electric models are the only way to avoid the pump completely, but electric isn’t an option for every buyer.

What car gets the best gas mileage? For buyers who need the highest MPGs on the highway and in the city, there are several standard vehicles and hybrids that can help take the financial sting out of fuel costs.

The five most fuel-efficient standard vehicles include:

• Mitsubishi Mirage (36 MPG City / 43 MPG Highway)

• Hyundai Elantra (33 MPG City / 43 MPG Highway)

• Honda Civic (33 MPG City / 42 MPG Highway)

• Hyundai Accent (33 MPG City / 41 MPG Highway)

• Toyota Corolla (31 MPG City / 41 MPG Highway)

All of these models are either subcompact or compact vehicles. They all are among the most affordable models on the market. Those looking for budget-friendly and fuel efficient commuter cars could opt for any of the above.

Some buyers, though, want a more eco-friendly vehicle. Hybrids combine the power of the standard fuel-injected engine with electric. Some even require a plug to recharge. Most models, though, recharge through their internal mechanics.

These are the most fuel efficient hybrids that don’t need a plug:

• Hyundai Ioniq (60 MPG)

• Toyota Prius (53 to 58 MPG)

• Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (54 MPG)

• Honda Insight, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid and Toyota Corolla Hybrid (52 MPG)

The Most Fuel Efficient Standard Vehicles are Highly Affordable

For buyers who just want an affordable and fuel-efficient standard vehicle for a long commute, the five most fuel efficient vehicles on the market also are among the least expensive models. These affordable and highly efficient cars are all manufactured by companies headquartered in either South Korea (Hyundai) or Japan. These models also offer great safety ratings.

Here’s what to know about the most fuel efficient standard cars.

Mitsubishi Mirage (36 MPG City / 43 MPG Highway)

The Mitsubishi Mirage is the most fuel-efficient standard car on the market. The Mirage also is one of the least expensive, with a base price of $14,645. It’s one of the few models that can be purchased new for less than $15,000.

Hyundai Elantra (33 MPG City / 43 MPG Highway)

The Hyundai Elantra is the smallest vehicle and the second most affordable option in the brand’s lineup. It has a base price of $20,200. The 2022 model (when equipped with specific headlights) also received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Honda Civic (33 MPG City / 42 MPG Highway)

The Honda Civic was the 10th best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for 2021. With a base price of $22,350, it’s priced a bit higher than the other models on the list. However, the Civic received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, and it’s a good choice for those who want a fuel-efficient, budget-friendly and safe vehicle.

Hyundai Accent (33 MPG City / 41 MPG Highway)

The Hyundai Accent is the brand’s lowest-priced car in its lineup. The Accent has a base price of $16,645. However, unlike the Elantra, it did not receive a safety award from IIHS.

Toyota Corolla (31 MPG City / 41 MPG Highway)

The Toyota Corolla was the 12th most popular car for 2021. The 2018 model ranked fourth for dependability by J.D. Power. The Corolla also is priced affordably at $20,175. The 2022 Corolla (models built after November 2021) received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

How to Get the Best Gas Mileage in a Hybrid

Hybrids tend to get better gas mileage in the city. For this reason, those who commute in town or use their car for errands might choose a standard hybrid. 

How do the top three hybrids rank in affordability and safety? While they may be extremely fuel efficient, millennial buyers also look closely at both safety and the price of vehicles. Here’s what to know about the Hyundai Ioniq, Toyota Prius and the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.

Hyundai Ioniq

Hyundai offers many hybrid models in its lineup. The Ioniq doesn’t require a plug, but it does offer up to 60 MPG. The model also is affordable for a hybrid; it has a base price of only $23,600. The Ioniq did not receive a safety award from IIHS, but car buyers can review the safety report via the site.

Toyota Prius

The Prius debuted in 1997 and has been a popular model for Toyota since it drove onto the scene. The Prius has a base price of $24,625. It can get 58 MPG in the city and 53 MPG on the highway. The 2022 Prius also did not receive a safety award from IIHS.

Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid features the standard affordable price point of the Hyundai lineup. The Elantra Hybrid has a base price of $23,850. It can get up to 56 MPG on the highway.

Ditch the Pump and Plug In with an Electric Model

The most fuel efficient vehicles also tend to correlate with affordability. Even the most fuel efficient standard hybrids are affordable. However, some consumers want to ditch the pump completely. They want the plug-in power of electric.

The electric vehicle is the cleanest, greenest and most energy-efficient option on the market. While many models are a bit more of an investment, there are some affordable models that can make the plug accessible to buyers on a budget.

The most affordable electric options, though, might lag on range. The range denotes how far the vehicle can drive on a completely charged battery. A good range is more than 300 miles. The Lucid Air Dream has the longest range on the market—520 miles.

MotorTrend rounded up the least expensive electric models; the five most affordable models include:

• 2022 Mazda MX-30

$34,635

• 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV 1LT

$33,995

• 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV 1LT

$31,995

• 2022 Mini Cooper SE Signature

$30,750

• 2022 Nissan Leaf S 40kW

$28,365

How far can these affordable plug-in electric models drive? Here are the models ranked by range:

• 2022 Mazda MX-30: 100 miles (estimated range)

• 2022 Mini Cooper SE Signature: 114 miles (estimated range)

• 2022 Nissan Leaf S 40kW: 226 miles (estimated range)

• 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV 1L: 247 miles (estimated range)

• 2022 Chevrolet EV 1L: 259 miles (estimated range)

Of the affordable electric models, the two Chevrolet Bolts offer the longest range. While the five least expensive models might not offer the longest ranges, their price points could be enticing to buyers who want to upgrade to an electric car.

Those who only drive in the city also could be fine with a shorter range model. If the vehicle won’t need to drive long distances daily, the range might not matter.

Use Carzing to Find the Cars with the Best Gas Mileage

Now that buyers know what cars offer the best gas mileage, they can use Carzing to find these models. Search by make/model, and Carzing will show all the available options at dealerships in the area.

The results will include used models (when applicable), but buyers can opt to see only new models by using the search tool to the left of their results. This toolbar also lets buyers specify features for their car like color, drivetrain or any additional equipment (like a backup camera).

Carzing also lets buyers get pre-qualified for financing, too. Find the loan with the best interest rates and terms.

With Carzing, buyers can shop at home and find their perfect car and the best financing for their potential purchase. Use the site to save time at the dealership and to take control of the car buying journey.