Most Fuel-Efficient Cars (That Aren't Electric or Hybrid)
Car and Driver
Despite continuing advancements in hybrid and electric-car technology, the good old-fashioned internal-combustion engine is still kickin’. In fact, affordable, fuel-efficient, gasoline-powered cars still outnumber electric cars, and they have a lock on the under-$30,000 category—for now. For those who want to spend less on gasoline without forking over big money on a hybrid or electric vehicle, here are 12 of the most efficient gas-only models you can buy today.
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The Nissan Sentra proves that affordable and efficient cars don’t have to look like a total dork fest, and it can go an EPA-estimated 409 miles between fuel stops. It’s powered by a 149-hp 2.0-liter inline-four and continuously variable transmission (CVT). When gas prices soar, the Sentra’s small 12.4-gallon fuel tank can make filling up less heartbreaking than larger cars with 17-gallon tanks.
Base price: $20,635Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 33/29/39 mpgEPA total range: 409 milesHorsepower: 149 horsepower
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The base Honda Accord comes with a 192-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and a CVT. It’s not the cheapest car on this list, but it’s spacious, has an EPA-estimated range of 488 miles on a single tank of gas, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick+. In case you’re wondering, the Accord Hybrid starts at $27,565 and gets 10 mpg more on the highway and beats this gas-only powertrain by 14 mpg in the city.
Base price: $25,965Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 33/30/38 mpg (CVT)EPA total range: 488 milesHorsepower: 192 horsepower
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The Chevrolet Spark has a sub-$15,000 starting price, making it the cheapest new car sold in the U.S. for 2022. Its 98-hp four-cylinder doesn’t exactly party, but we have to give the Spark credit for offering a manual transmission, even though its CVT is more efficient. The Spark makes the most out of its nine-gallon fuel tank, getting an EPA-estimated 297 miles on a single tank of gas. We managed 37 mpg during our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test in a Spark LT. Note that 2022 is the final model year for the Spark as Chevy plans to discontinue the model.
Base price: $14,595Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 33/30/38 mpg (CVT)EPA total range: 297 milesHorsepower: 98 horsepower
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Known as “the Golf with a trunk,” the Volkswagen Jetta is fun to drive and offers far more space than you might expect. The Jetta comes standard with a 158-hp turbo four-cylinder and a six-speed manual transmission, though the most efficient Jetta uses the optional eight-speed automatic. It’s better on gas than some of its closest competitors in the compact-car segment too. According to the EPA, the Jetta has a 5-mpg advantage on the highway over the Mazda 3 and also gets better mileage than the slightly more expensive Nissan Sentra.
Base price: $21,190Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 35/30/41 mpgHorsepower: 147 horsepower
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The Kia Forte sits between the smaller Rio and larger K5 in the Korean brand’s lineup. It’s front-wheel drive and is powered by a 147-hp inline-four. The six-speed manual might be our first choice, but the CVT saves on gas. It’s especially good on the highway, with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg. An 8.0-inch touchscreen is standard, and the Forte was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.
Base price: $20,115Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 35/31/41 mpgEPA total range: 490 milesHorsepower: 147 horsepower
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Every Nissan Versa is front-wheel drive and powered by a 122-hp inline-four, but only models equipped with the automatic transmission have an EPA combined rating of 35 mpg. The Versa was redesigned last year and is vastly improved. It rides, drives, and steers better than before, and a larger 7.0-inch touchscreen is now standard. The Versa features surprising technology for its price point such as pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, and automated emergency braking, all standard. It’s a big step ahead of the model it replaces, and even the most expensive Versa SR model starts at a wallet-friendly $19,615.
Base price: $15,930Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 35/32/40 mpgEPA total range: 378 milesHorsepower: 122 horsepower
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Toyota’s Corolla Hatchback keeps the flame of affordability burning with its fuel-saving 2.0-liter engine and CVT. With an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined, this Corolla falls short of its hybrid counterpart—which is capable of 52 mpg—but is still among the best against its gasoline-only competitors. Its cheap base price and standard features we all feel we’re entitled to in 2022 make it a great bargain, and its design keeps it from looking too much like an economy car.
Base Price: $23,040Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 35/32/41 mpgEPA total range: 462 milesHorsepower: 169 horsepower
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The 120-hp 1.6-liter engine and CVT in the Kia Rio puts this little sedan toward the top for fuel economy. The drop in power from the previous Rio translates to better mileage, and the same driving characteristics we enjoyed remain. The Rio sedan earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, but many of the driver-assistance features are not available in the lower trims.
Base Price: $17,275Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 36/33/41 mpgEPA total range: 428 milesHorsepower: 120 horsepower
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Every Hyundai Accent has a 120-hp inline-four engine and CVT under its hood. This is the smallest sedan in the Hyundai lineup, but the Accent is still spry enough to squeal the tires. We’ve ranked the Accent above the other subcompact sedans in the segment because it’s a nicely equipped small car you won’t be ashamed to drive. Its EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined fuel economy is good, and it also gets an estimated 41 mpg on the highway.
Base Price: $16,125Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 36/33/41 mpgEPA total range: 428 milesHorsepower: 120 horsepower
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It can be tough to find something that the Honda Civic doesn’t do well; there’s a model for every need, from fuel sippers to track attackers. Plus it’s a frequent 10Best winner. When equipped with the 180-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four and a CVT, the Civic is rated at an EPA combined 36 mpg. Civic sedans with the base 158-hp 2.0-liter engine aren’t far behind, at an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined. A Civic with the turbo 1.5-liter and CVT managed 38 mpg on the highway during our testing, 4 mpg short of its EPA estimate. The least-efficient Civic is the six-speed manual hatchback model, which the EPA says gets 29 mpg combined.
Base Price: $20,480Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 36/32/42 (1.5L CVT sedan) 35/31/40 (2.0L CVT sedan) mpgEPA total range: 446 milesHorsepower: 180 horsepower
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The Hyundai Elantra uses a 147-hp inline-four and a CVT in nonhybrid models to achieve an EPA-estimated 37 mpg combined. (The Elantra hybrid, which starts at nearly $5000 more, is estimated to deliver 54 mpg.) For a sharp-looking sedan that starts just north of $20,000, the Elantra is an attractive choice inside and out.
Base Price: $20,995Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 37/33/43 mpgEPA total range: 459 milesHorsepower: 128 horsepower
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Need a new car for cheap? The Mitsubishi Mirage has you covered. It’s the second-cheapest car sold in the U.S. today, and although it has less than 100 horsepower, it’s the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car available. Powered by a tiny, 1.2-liter 78-hp three-cylinder, the Mirage makes a big stand for fuel economy. With an EPA-rated 39 mpg combined for the CVT-equipped hatchback variant, this is certainly a case of David versus the gas station. The sedan version, known as the Mirage G4, is barely less efficient at 35 mpg. Of course, it won’t be getting you anywhere fast, as the Mirage G4 with a CVT we tested in 2018 went from zero to 60 mph in a languid 12.8 seconds.
Base Price: $16,125Fuel Economy EPA combined/city/highway: 39/36/43 mpg Horsepower: 78 horsepower
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