Consumer Guide Fuel Economy Champions

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

2016 Toyota Prius Touring
2016 Toyota Prius Touring

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

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

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

2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE

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

2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco
2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco

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

2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited
2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited

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

2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE
2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE

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

2017 Mitsubishi Mirage SE
2017 Mitsubishi Mirage SE

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

2017 Kia Forte S
2017 Kia Forte S

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

Test Drive: 2017 Kia Forte S

 

Chevrolet Cruze: 30.3 MPG

2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback
2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Premier

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

2017 Lexus CT 200h F Sport
2017 Lexus CT 200h F Sport

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

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