At Consumer Guide®, we take pride in not simply reporting the fuel-economy number provided by a given test vehicle’s trip computer–and we don’t blindly accept the EPA’s numbers. Instead, we buy our own gas and do the math.
We readily admit that there are many variables that can affect the outcome of our testing, and we do not claim that these mileage figures be used for anything but comparative research. As the auto ads note, “Your mileage may vary.”
What we do claim is that our mileage results represent a realistic prediction of the fuel economy that commuters in city and suburban environments are likely to experience.
As a rule, at least two Consumer Guide® editors evaluate each test vehicle, though as many as four may log mileage in a given car or truck.
All of the vehicles reported on here completed their Consumer Guide® evaluation cycle between March 1st, 2016, and March 1st 2017. During that period, we fully evaluated 151 vehicles; presented here are the ten most fuel-efficient rides from that group.
If your observed fuel economy in any of the vehicles discussed here differs greatly from our results, please share that information in the comments section below. Note that we have provided a link back to the full review of all of the vehicles below.
Remembering “Cash for Clunkers”
Toyota Prius: 52.6 MPG
Miles driven: 505
Fuel used: 9.6 gallons
Driving mix: 65% City/35% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 54/50/52 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 121-horsepower 1.8-liter engine with electric assist/CVT automatic transmission
Price as tested: $31,827
Test Drive: 2016 Toyota Prius Touring
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: 44.0 MPG
Miles driven: 110
Fuel used: 2.5 gallons
Driving mix: 80% City/20% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 47/46/46 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 182-horsepower 1.8-liter engine with electric assist/CVT automatic transmission
Price as tested: $30,735
Test Drive: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Toyota Camry Hybrid: 39.3 MPG
Miles driven: 296
Fuel used: 7.5 gallons
Driving mix: 60% City/40% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 40/37/38 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 200-horsepower 2.5-liter engine with electric assist/CVT automatic transmission
Price as tested: $34,710
Note: A 2016 Camry Hybrid SE tested during the past year returned 36.7 mpg in similar testing.
Test Drive: 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
Hyundai Elantra Eco: 38.8 MPG
Miles driven: 1766
Fuel used: 45.5 gallons
Driving mix: 25% City/75% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 32/40/35 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 128-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged engine/7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Price as tested: $21,610
Test Drive: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco
Toyota Avalon Hybrid: 34.0 MPG
Miles driven: 675
Fuel used: 19.8 gallons
Driving mix: 50% City/50% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 40/39/40 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 200-horsepower 2.5-liter engine with electric assist/CVT automatic transmission
Price as tested: $42,785
Test Drive: 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 31.3 MPG
Miles driven: 347
Fuel used: 11.1 gallons
Driving mix: 75% City/25% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 34/31/33 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 194-horsepower 2.5-liter engine with electric assist/CVT automatic transmission
Price as tested: $29,255
Test Drive: 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE
Mitsubishi Mirage: 30.8 MPG
Miles driven: 387
Fuel used: 12.6 gallons
Driving mix: 45% City/55% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 33/41/36 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 78-horsepower 1.2-liter engine/5-speed-manual transmission
Price as tested: $15,630
Test Drive: 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage SE
I Broke the 50-MPG Barrier Driving Through Wisconsin. It Was Hell. (Mirage content)
Kia Forte: 30.6 MPG
Miles driven: 629
Fuel used: 20.5 gallons
Driving mix: 35% City/65% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 29/38/32 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 147-horsepower 2.0-liter engine/6-speed automatic
Price as tested: $21,540
Chevrolet Cruze: 30.3 MPG
Miles driven: 355
Fuel used: 11.7 gallons
Driving mix: 50% City/50% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 28/37/31 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 153-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged engine/6-speed automatic
Price as tested: $26,475
Test Drive: 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback
Lexus CT 200h: 30.3 MPG
Miles driven: 345
Fuel used: 11.4 gallons
Driving mix: 65% City/35% Highway
EPA fuel-economy estimates: 43/40/42 (city/highway/combined)
Powertrain: 134-horsepower 1.8-liter engine with electric assist/CVT automatic transmission
Price as tested: $41,795
Test Drive: 2017 Lexus CT 200h F Sport
