Fuel Efficiency + Sticker Price: Cars.com Lists Best Picks, Impala, Aveo Score Big

[Ming]

With Gas Prices Skyrocketing, Cars.com Identifies Cars that Deliver Best Bang for Your Buck



CHICAGO, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As the price of gas continues to reach
record highs, more car shoppers are making fuel efficiency a top priority.
While gas mileage typically takes center stage, combining the sticker price
of a car with its predicted lifetime fuel cost can offer consumers a guide
to their overall savings during the lifetime of a car.

Cars.com (http://www.cars.com) looks at the top 10 cars in various
vehicle segments that deliver the best bang for the buck based on vehicle
price and average lifetime fuel costs. The Toyota Yaris tops the list with
a base price slightly more than $11,000 for a two-door hatchback and
average fuel economy of 34 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

The list was compiled by combining the base sticker price with a fuel
cost estimate based on the car's estimated gas mileage. Fuel cost estimates
assume the car will be driven 15,000 miles per year, with 45 percent of
those miles on the highway and 55 percent on city streets. The cost of
regular unleaded gasoline in the estimate is $3.13 per gallon, and it
assumes the car is owned for eight years. Premium fuel costs are estimated
at $3.44 per gallon.

Continued: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4593967&EDATE=

[give_it_all_]

Good stuff GM! Now if you can get better mpg outta it, you should be in first!

[GM-Joe]

The Vibe costs more than the Matrix to own for the lifetime of the vehicle, yet less to purchase. I really can't believe there is that much more demand for that badge than a Pontiac, amounting to that much disperity in resale value.

[EllwynX]

I've posted it before, but I'll do it again...

My '05 Aveo Sedan (Auto) averages about 23/24 mpg in mostly city driving.

In the instance I had 90% highway driving it got just over 28 mpg.

The Aveo is a fine little car to get from point A to point B (though it's not fun in the least) but it's mpg leaves a lot to be desired.

[suckstobeyou]

are these 07 or 08 mpg #s?

[ronald mcretard]

Originally Posted by suckstobeyou

are these 07 or 08 mpg #s?

they must be using 2007 numbers because the Prius is still rated at 60/51. The new, more realistic numbers should send it way down the list (nowhere near the top 10).

[63GrandSport001]

not a single hybrid has made the list why am I no shocked.

[gardnet1]

Originally Posted by GM-Joe

The Vibe costs more than the Matrix to own for the lifetime of the vehicle, yet less to purchase. I really can't believe there is that much more demand for that badge than a Pontiac, amounting to that much disperity in resale value.

That is hard to fathom considering Vibe dropped the two most expensive models; the AWD and GT. I suspect old data (especially since they generously gave the prius 60/51 mpg...dream on) I believe the Matrix is cheaper to make because they assemble it in Canada while the Vibe is made in more expensive Fremont (bay area), CA. Even still GM slaps in Onstar as an option and gives Vibe a 100,000 mile warranty. 36/30 is great mileage as long as you don't need less than 20 seconds to get up to 60 mph.

Also, I don't think this study uses selling price, just sticker price. I can get a nearly loaded Vibe in Colorado for $17,000 and a well-equipped Aveo for under $9,000 after haggling, rebates and such.

[gardnet1]

Originally Posted by ronald mcretard

they must be using 2007 numbers because the Prius is still rated at 60/51. The new, more realistic numbers should send it way down the list (nowhere near the top 10).

The prius plummented to 44 mpg.

[pgill00]

Is that a GM package on that Blue Aveo pic in the original post? The body kit, bigger wheels and chrome door handles looks pretty good.

[asim]

Originally Posted by give_it_all_

Good stuff GM! Now if you can get better mpg outta it, you should be in first!

I agree. The pricing and everything is just right. They just need to squeeze a few more miles from each gallon, and GM could dominate the charts.

[el es juan]

Wow! No Camry!!!

[stevecmh]

nice to see GM is represnting.. to bad more American companies are not

[PA Dweller]

The Aveo beat the Fit and Versa, very impressive.

[Lorneh1234]

Top Minivans City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Mazda5 22/27 $17,735 $15,650 $33,385
2. Dodge Caravan 20/26 $19,055 $16,830 $35,885
3. Chevrolet Uplander 18/25 $20,205 $18,237 $38,442
4. Kia Sedona 18/25 $20,695 $18,237 $38,932
5. Chrysler Town & Country19/26 $21,695 $17,373 $39,068
6. Saturn Relay 18/25 $21,570 $18,237 $39,807
7. Toyota Sienna 19/26 $24,155 $17,373 $41,528
8. Hyundai Entourage 18/25 $23,895 $18,237 $42,132
9. Ford Freestar 17/23 $23,705 $19,500 $43,205
10. Honda Odyssey 18/25 $25,645 $18,237 $43,882

i didn't expect to see the uplander as number three for minivans...