Most Fuel Efficient Cars: Top 10 List 2012-2013

During the summer of 2008, gas prices averaged $4.50/gallon in the U.S. After the summer of the same year, prices went down to $2.00/gallon and people began to drive more. However, as of June 2012, gas prices has hovered around $4.25/gallon and it is predicted that it will reach more than $5.00/gallon within the next year.

Gasoline Prices

The best way to save money is to stay home and sit in front of your TV or computer all day long and not drive at all. Most of us can't do that because of work. Unless you live in a city that offers great public transportation, driving is a necessity. If you intend to save money on your next car, you should consider not just the price but the MPG you can get. How many miles are you getting from a gallon of gas? This list includes cars that run on gasoline 100% of the time (no electric car).

Best Gas Mileage Cars in the U.S. - Top 10 List:

1. Toyota Prius: 51 City/48 Hwy (50 Avg.), Base Price: $24,000.
1.8-liter, with 4-Cylinder engine and 134 hp, 0-60 mph in 9.8 secs. The most fuel efficient car on the market is the Toyota Prius, also the most demanding car in the U.S. A small sedan, but roomy enough for 5 and it is perfect for those that drive over 100 miles a day to work. The 3rd Generation Toyota Prius model is on sale since 2009 and currently available for purchase at most Toyota dealers. Also available are thePrius C (53 City/46 Hwy, Starting at: $18,950) and the Prius V (44 City/40 hwy, Starting at $26,400).

2. Honda Civic Hybrid: 44 City/44 Hwy (44 Avg.), Base Price: $24,050. 1.3-liter, with 4-Cylinder engine and up to 111 hp, 0-60 mph in 11.3 secs. The runner up is Toyota biggest rival; the Honda Civic Hybrid is a sporty sedan with an average 44 combined mpg. This is worth every penny, especially for those who prefer Honda over Toyota.

3. Lexus CT 200h vs Honda Insight: Tie for third are the Lexus CT 200h and the Honda Insight , which both give an estimated combined 42 mpg. Luxury or necessity?

Lexus CT 200h: 43 City/40 Hwy (42 Avg.), Base Price: $29,120.
1.8-liter, with 4-Cylinder engine and up to 134 hp, 0-60 mph in 9.8 secs. Why not have both luxury and fuel efficiency in one car? The Lexus CT 200h does just that by offering great gas mileage with a luxurious feel. Wow your friends and colleagues with a whopping 42 mpg in a Lexus.

Honda Insight: 41 City/44 Hwy (42 Avg.), Base Price: $18,350.
1.3-liter, 4-Cylinder engine with 98 hp. The Honda Insight is much more affordable than the Lexus CT 200h.

4. Toyota Camry Hybrid: 43 City/39 Hwy (41 Avg.), Base Price: $25,900. 2.5-liter, 4-Cylinder engine with 200-horsepower, reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 secs. If you love the original Camry, then you should try the Camry Hybrid because it has better fuel economy, which can be a big saver after a few years.

5. Ford Fusion Hybrid vs Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: In the fifth spot are two contenders from Ford Motors with each having a combined 39 mpg. These hybrids are packed with a powerful engine which give out 191 hp. The Fusion Hybrid is more affordable, while the MKZ Hybrid has more class and style.

Ford Fusion Hybrid: 41 City/36 Hwy (39 Avg.), Base Price: $28,775.
2.5-liter, 4-Cylinder engine with 191 hp. 0-60 mph in 8.4 secs.

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: 41 City/36 Hwy (39 Avg.), Base Price: $34,755.
2.5-liter, 4-Cylinder engine with 191 hp. 0-60 mph in 8.2 secs.

6. Honda CR-Z vs Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Kia Optima Hybrid vs Scion iQ: Ranking in sixth place is a 4-way tie with each car having an estimated combined 37 mpg.

Honda CR-Z: 35 City/39 Hwy (37 Avg.), Base price: $19,545.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 35 City/40 Hwy (37 Avg.) Base Price: $25,850.
Kia Optima Hybrid: 35 City/40 Hwy (37 Avg.), Base Price: $25,700.
Scion iQ: 36 City/37 Hwy (37 Avg.), Base Price: $15,265.

7. Smart for Two: 34 City/38 Hwy (36 Avg.), Base Price: $12,490.
1.0-liter, 3-cylinder runs on high-priced premium fuel with only 70 hp. 0-60 mph in 12.8 secs. When is it too smart to save money? Small, affordable 2-seat coupe that has a small engine, capable of saving you a lot of money due to it low cost and 36 combined fuel efficiency. If you prefer style, go with the cabriolet model, a convertible version that start at $17,690.

8. Volkswagen Jetta TDI, Golf TDI, Volkswagen Passat TDI, and Audi A3. Each car has a estimated combined 36 mpg and they all run on diesel instead of regular gasoline.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI: 30 City/42 Hwy (36 Avg.), Base Price: $22,775.
Volkswagen Golf TDI: 30 City/42 Hwy (36 Avg.), Base Price: $24,235.
Volkswagen Passat TDI: 31 City/43 Hwy (36 Avg.), Base Price: $25,995.
Audi A3: 30 City/42 Hwy (36 Avg.), Base Price: $27,270.

9. Chevrolet Cruze Eco vs Kia Rio vs Hyundai Accent vs Lexus HS 250h: All 4 cars have a combined 35 mpg.

Chevrolet Cruze Eco: 28 City/42 Hwy (35 Avg.), Base Price: $19,325.
Kia Rio: 30 City/40 Hwy (35 Avg.), Base Price: $13,400.
Hyundai Accent: 30 City/40 Hwy (35 Avg.), Base Price: $12,545.
Lexus HS 250h: 35 City/34 Hwy (35 Avg.), Base Price: $37,030.

10. The 9 cars listed below, every car has an estimated combined 34 mpg. When trying to save money, fuel efficiency is not the only factor, buying a car that cost much less with fewer mpg is actually better than buying one with high mpg but costing you over $5k more.

Hyundai Elantra: 29 City/40 Hwy (34 Avg.), Base Price: $16,695.
Ford Fiesta: 29 City/40 Hwy (34 Avg.), Base Price: $15,670.
Chevrolet Sonic: 29 City/40 Hwy (34 Avg.), Base Price: $15,065.
Nissan Versa: 30 City/38 Hwy (34 Avg.), Base Price: $10,990.
Fiat 500: 30 City/38 Hwy (34 Avg.), Base Price: $15,500.
Toyota Yaris: 30 City/38 Hwy (34 Avg.), Base Price: $14,115.
Hyundai Veloster: 28 City/40 Hwy (34 Avg.), Base Price: $17,300.
Mazda 3 iTouring: 28 City/40 Hwy (34 Avg.), Base Price: $18,700.
Ford Focus: 28 City/40 Hwy (34 Avg.), Base Price: $18,300.

*Special Cars* - The following cars will help you save money on gas every month. However, their prices are a little hefty at the moment and the reason they are not on the top 10 list because you cannot refuel them at most local gas stations.

*S1. Chevrolet Volt: 35 City/40 Hwy (37 Avg.) (Premium Gas), 95 City/93 Hwy (94 Avg. MPG3) (Electric) Base Price: $39,145. Premium Gas or Electric. Single Charge Range: 35 Miles. Start using gas after 35 miles.
*S2. Mitsubishi i-MiEV: 126 City/99 Hwy (112 Avg. MPGe), Base Price: $29,125. All-Electric. Single Charge Range: 62 Miles.
*S3. Ford Focus Electric: 110 City/99 Hwy (105 Avg. MPGe), Base Price:$39,200. All-Electric. Single Charge Range: 76 Miles.
*S4. Nissan Leaf: 106 City/92 Hwy (99 Avg. MPGe), Base Price: $35,200. All-Electric. Single Charge Range: 73 Miles.
*S5. CODA Electric: 77 City/68 Hwy (73 Avg. MPGe), Base Price: $38,145. All-Electric. Single Charge Range: 88 Miles.
*S6. Azure Transit Connect Electric: 62 City/62 Hwy (62 Avg. MPGe), Base Price:$57,400. All-Electric. Single Charge Range: 56 Miles.
*S7. Honda Civic GX: 27 City/38 Hwy (32 Avg.), Base Price: $26,305. Natural Gas. Fuel Tank: 8.0 GGE.

What do you think of this list? If there are better fuel efficient cars available on the market, please list those cars and link to them. We only list cars that are currently available for purchase in the U.S. market. Concept cars that have not been release cannot be on the list because it is not yet available for purchase. Your comment is very valuable and it will help us keep the list accurate. Please allow 1-3 weeks for revision.