Most Fuel Efficient Automakers List Released

[espo19047]

By J.D. BOOTH | AOL AUTOS
Tell Us How High Gas Prices
are Affecting You.

What's more impressive is that Chevrolet's numbers factor in a full line of trucks, not the case with Honda (its only offering in that category being the Ridgeline http://autos.aol.com/cars-Honda-Ridgeline-2008/overview ).



With fuel prices soaring and seemingly no end in sight, where does one turn?

For some, it's a vehicle that's been engineered to sip, not guzzle. The question then: Which brand is more likely to ease you out of the gas station without feeling you've been turned upside down and shaken?

Perhaps surprisingly, it's not always the Asian-based carmakers that come up on top where fuel economy ratings are concerned.

A look at the U.S. government's official fuel economy ratings (published by the Department of Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and the Environmental Protection Agency) might not be light reading, but it does give a new sense of perspective on what is a very complex issue.

Top 10 Best Average Fuel Economy AutoMakers
Rank
Combined
Manufacturer
# Cars
1
27.66 mpg
MINI http://autos.aol.com/cars-MINI-listings-sort-az/
12
2
23.81 mpg
Honda http://autos.aol.com/cars-Honda-listings-sort-az/
27
3
23.36 mpg
Chevrolet http://autos.aol.com/cars-Chevrolet-listings-sort-az/
88
4
22.33 mpg
Lotus http://autos.aol.com/cars-Lotus-listings-sort-az/
3
5
22.21 mpg
Volkswagen http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-listings-sort-az/
28
6
22.20 mpg
Pontiac http://autos.aol.com/cars-Pontiac-listings-sort-az/
24
7
22.14 mpg
Saturn http://autos.aol.com/cars-Saturn-listings-sort-az/
21
8
21.8 mpg
KIA http://autos.aol.com/cars-Kia-listings-sort-az/
20
9
21.77 mpg
Suzuki http://autos.aol.com/cars-Suzuki-listings-sort-az/
18
10
21.6 mpg
Toyota http://autos.aol.com/cars-Toyota-listings-sort-az/
55




One observation: Carmakers are, on the whole, doing a pretty good job of bringing choice to the market when it comes to fuel economy.

There may, however, be two races to win: the most fuel-efficient car on the road and the automaker that "on average" is most likely to save you money at the pump.

On a single car basis, the Toyota Prius http://autos.aol.com/cars-Toyota-Prius-2008/overview comes out on top, its hybrid technology delivering 48 city miles on a gallon (like other hybrids, its fuel efficiency drops slightly on the highway, to 45).

With fuel prices hitting hard, where are motorists more likely to find relief?

On a fleet basis, the best performing manufacturer is BMW's MINI http://autos.aol.com/cars-MINI-listings-sort-az/ division, with three models averaging out at just over 27 mpg city/highway.

But fitting a family any bigger than two or three in the MINI isn't possible; Honda http://autos.aol.com/cars-Honda-listings-sort-az/ might be a more realistic choice, its 27 models average out at almost 24 mpg combined.

Domestically, the winner in average fuel economy is Chevrolet http://autos.aol.com/cars-Chevrolet-listings-sort-az/ , its 88 models average a combined 23.26 mpg combined city/highway, only slightly lower than Honda's 23.81 mpg average.



But as shoppers would be quick to point out, it's not the fleet that we're buying. It's the individual car or truck.

[eurohazard]

One thing that is misleading is the "full line of trucks" offered by Chevrolet. The 2500 and 3500 trucks which account for ~30% (by my estimation) are not rated by the EPA for fuel economy. Thus "full line" doesn't apply to the article because the mpg figures are not factored in.

[sondien]

ha! that's funny, three of gm's brands are more fuel efficient than toyota. i find that hilarious. and people think toyota has better fuel economy than gm just because of the prius. ha.

[eurohazard]

I just counted it up for some of Chevrolet....just beween the Aveo, Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, and Impala............there are 30 models! And I don't mean trim lines, I mean models that count towards the data in the article. Example, the Aveo doesn't count as 1, it's really 4:
-sedan AT
-sedan manual
-5 door AT
-5 door manual

Amazingly the HHR itself accounts for 10 models!
-HHR 2.2 AT
-HHR 2.2 manual
-HHR 2.4 AT
-HHR 2.4 manual
-HHR panel 2.2 AT
-HHR panel 2.2 manual
-HHR panel 2.4 AT
-HHR panel 2.4 manual
-HHR SS AT
-HHR SS manual

By offering multiple engine and transmission choices coupled with different body styles, Chevrolet is able to look really good in a comparison like this. And no I am not "making excuses" like I'm sure people will claim.....Chevy should be applauded for offering so many choices (and knowing how to game the system!)

[44 mpg by 2010]

Am I correct when I say there are only 11 vehicles available from the D3 that are rated 28 mpg(US) combined average OR BETTER? If I remember correctly there are only 33 D3 machines rated 25 mpg and above.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byMPG.htm
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008b....jsp?year=2008
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008b....jsp?year=2009

The Ford FWD Escape/Mariner/Tribute Hybrid are rated 32 mpg combined average. And none get better than 32 mpg(US) combined average that I can find.

Do you know of any other D3 machines rated above 32 mpg(US) combined average?

Meanwhile, in the UK Ford and GM/Vauxhall alone have about 72 vehicles rated between 42 and 58 mpg(US) combined cycle fuel economies.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search
http://www.autocar.co.uk/SpecsPrices...AndPrices.aspx

Since I can only purchase a limited number of vehicles at one time and my interest IS FUEL ECONOMY ... I do not care what fleet average (CAFE) is!

I wish the very low fuel consumption UK/EU options were available from Ford and/or GM in the US. But since they are not ... the current "foreign" badges are the best options in the US for me!

Since I prefer something other than hybrid ... I really have no very high mpg choices within the current MY 2008/9 product set.

So, I opted for a 95 Civic CX rated 35 City 38 Combined 41 highway until something better comes along, hopefully before 2011. Currently I am getting 38 mpg combined and 45 mpg highway.

In my area of the country (the Carolinas) I am seeing the old (late 80s and early 90s) high mpg Fiestivas, Geos, Sprints, and the likes being reconditioned and put back into service in significant numbers. I am also seeing significantly more motorcycles, motor-scooters, and bicycles.

It seems clear to me that many people are "digging in" for the "long haul" until REAL fuel conserving vehicles reach the market! Also, it should be noted that the bottom has fallen completely out from under the used "gas guzzler" market.

[rwagoner]

>In my area of the country (the Carolinas) I am seeing the old (late 80s and early 90s) high mpg Fiestivas, Geos, Sprints, and the likes being reconditioned and put back into service in significant numbers.<

Should do wonders for pollution levels.

[eurohazard]

^ Interesting point about pollution......guess that's why smog testing (sometimes) makes sense! As a matter of fact one of my buddies at work bought a 1988 Chevy Sprint for $500...but it didn't pass smog. He sepnd almost $1,000 in tes/retest fees, and parts to make it pass smog (carb, cat, plugs, wires, snake oils etc). But he'll still save $$$ on gas in the long run as he has a 45 minute commute. For other vehicle is a crew cab Chevy (4.8 I believe) and got ~18-19 mpg on the commute.

[gaffo]

those numbers are specious.

no F%^in way the MINI get better mileage than the Yaris.

MINI has a 1.6 and wieghts 2900 lbs

Yaris has a 1.5 and wieghts 2300 lbs

36 hwy for yaris? - i get 40 consistently.

## you have there are bogus.

[gaffo]

Originally Posted by 44 mpg by 2010

Am I correct when I say there are only 11 vehicles available from the D3 that are rated 28 mpg(US) combined average OR BETTER? If I remember correctly there are only 33 D3 machines rated 25 mpg and above.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byMPG.htm
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008b....jsp?year=2008
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008b....jsp?year=2009

The Ford FWD Escape/Mariner/Tribute Hybrid are rated 32 mpg combined average. And none get better than 32 mpg(US) combined average that I can find.

Do you know of any other D3 machines rated above 32 mpg(US) combined average?

Meanwhile, in the UK Ford and GM/Vauxhall alone have about 72 vehicles rated between 42 and 58 mpg(US) combined cycle fuel economies.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search
http://www.autocar.co.uk/SpecsPrices...AndPrices.aspx

Since I can only purchase a limited number of vehicles at one time and my interest IS FUEL ECONOMY ... I do not care what fleet average (CAFE) is!

I wish the very low fuel consumption UK/EU options were available from Ford and/or GM in the US. But since they are not ... the current "foreign" badges are the best options in the US for me!

Since I prefer something other than hybrid ... I really have no very high mpg choices within the current MY 2008/9 product set.

So, I opted for a 95 Civic CX rated 35 City 38 Combined 41 highway until something better comes along, hopefully before 2011. Currently I am getting 38 mpg combined and 45 mpg highway.

In my area of the country (the Carolinas) I am seeing the old (late 80s and early 90s) high mpg Fiestivas, Geos, Sprints, and the likes being reconditioned and put back into service in significant numbers. I am also seeing significantly more motorcycles, motor-scooters, and bicycles.

It seems clear to me that many people are "digging in" for the "long haul" until REAL fuel conserving vehicles reach the market! Also, it should be noted that the bottom has fallen completely out from under the used "gas guzzler" market.

those old cars are very effiecent - like the CRX.

if you are serious about buying a new car - you really should look the Yaris (hatch is my preference and what i have had for almost a year now).

it give me 34 city and 40 hwy. and consistant 37 mpg for 9 months now. (in winter it does drop to 35 combined).

the OLD EPA mileage number (2006/7) are the correct numbers for this car. The new number are WAY LOWER than what this car will give you. (I really do think there is some politics here - maybe Toyota wants to puch the Prius/Corrolla over the Yaris since they make zip on the Yaris and a crapload on the Prius).

Auto will give 1-mpg less than the 5-sp. i have the 5-sp.

Yaris are now hard to get and they have been marked up 1,000 bucks since the gas hike lsat spring, they are now 14K instead of 13k when i bought mine. Also they are impossible tofind and you will have to be put on a waiting list for 2-4 months most likely. Toyota just is not importing very many of them - again they don't want to sell then, they want you to buy the 2x more expensive fashion statement the Prius.

I have 25k on it now and no one issue yet.


good luck.

....................


oh ya, if you are into scooters check this out!!

http://www.tangotrikes.com/

[Pinnacle]

Didnt know the Mini runs on Premium fuel.

[stk]

Hum, where's smart?

[44 mpg by 2010]

Here are two of the EU Minis.

MINI Hatchback R56 MINI Cooper D Hatchback - with particle filter M6 1560cc Diesel 50/60.1, 55/72.4, 67.2/80.7 mpg(US/Imperial) city, combined, highway.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/sea...s.asp?id=19797


MINI Hatchback R56 MINI One Hatchback M6 1397cc Petrol(gasoline) 34.6/41.5, 44.4/53.3, 53.5/64.2 mpg(US/Imperial) city, combined, highway.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/sea...s.asp?id=19792

For your consideration and contemplation.

[gopedxr7]

thats amazing. GM has to advertise this type of info more!

[American_Muscle]

Originally Posted by sondien

ha! that's funny, three of gm's brands are more fuel efficient than toyota. i find that hilarious. and people think toyota has better fuel economy than gm just because of the prius. ha.

i agree and its STUPID. people need to do research or something. I iwhs the media..you know the AMERICAN news wont ever report this, however if toyota were at the top, it'd be all in the newspapers and CNN and everything. I dont know why our country likes to destroy itself

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by gaffo

those old cars are very effiecent - like the CRX.

if you are serious about buying a new car - you really should look the Yaris (hatch is my preference and what i have had for almost a year now).

it give me 34 city and 40 hwy. and consistant 37 mpg for 9 months now. (in winter it does drop to 35 combined).

the OLD EPA mileage number (2006/7) are the correct numbers for this car. The new number are WAY LOWER than what this car will give you. (I really do think there is some politics here - maybe Toyota wants to puch the Prius/Corrolla over the Yaris since they make zip on the Yaris and a crapload on the Prius).

Auto will give 1-mpg less than the 5-sp. i have the 5-sp.

Yaris are now hard to get and they have been marked up 1,000 bucks since the gas hike lsat spring, they are now 14K instead of 13k when i bought mine. Also they are impossible tofind and you will have to be put on a waiting list for 2-4 months most likely. Toyota just is not importing very many of them - again they don't want to sell then, they want you to buy the 2x more expensive fashion statement the Prius.

I have 25k on it now and no one issue yet.


good luck.

....................


oh ya, if you are into scooters check this out!!

http://www.tangotrikes.com/

Well since you seem to be an advocate of manual transmission cars that are hard to find, then you should be pushing the Cobalt XFE that is rated to 36 mpg hwy. And many Ion and Cobalt 2.2 ecotec owners have been reporting 40 mpg highway for years before the XFE upgrades.