Fuel Efficient Vehicles *

Most efficient overall is the Honda Insight hybrid. With 60 mpg city and 66 mpg highway, the Honda hybrid has top honors as most fuel efficient in the United States. With a 1.0 gas engine mated to an electric motor, the insight was designed to make the most of the power by using low resistance tires. The cons about the Insight include a cramped interior, seating for two, and a very odd styling.

A fuel efficient mid size car is the Toyota Prius hybrid (60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway). The Prius, unlike the Honda Insight, is capable of carrying 5 people plus their gear. The Prius will generate a total of 110 HP from its gasoline engine and electric motor. The sleek shape to the Prius has a low co-efficient drag although Toyota has managed to do this with a larger, yet more driver friendly vehicle than the Insight of Toyota.

A fuel efficient compact car is the Honda Civic hybrid (49 mpg city and 51 mpg highway).With a reputation of being the cheapest hybrid in North America, the Civic hybrid takes the great design of the regular Civic and makes it a lot more efficient. With an output of 110 HP, the Civic hybrid is very competitive for the class.

An efficient sub compact car is Volkswagon diesel (37 mpg city and 44 mpg highway). The Volkswagon Beetle diesel is ahead of even the sub compact hybrids. Making 100 HP, the Beetle diesel may not sound that powerful, although the 177 lb-foot of torque will put shame on every other vehicle in the same class.

The most efficient station wagon is the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix (30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway). The Vibe and Matrix are both the result of a joint venture of Toyota and General Motors. Both vehicles come equipped with Toyota engines, although a lot of the design and engineering came from General Motors. Both the Matrix and the Vibe are versatile with active lifestyles. With a fuel efficient 1.8L 4 cylinder that produces 126 HP, the Matrix and the Vibe aren't going to win a street race although they make up for it with smoothness, efficiency, and refinement.

The most efficient large car is the Hyundai Sonata (24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway). The Sonata is a major surprise, beating out very stiff competition. The 2.4L 4 cylinder engine is very smooth, responsive, and powerful. The suspension however, is soft, and geared more towards comfort than handling. This isn't a BMW, although the build quality is great, clearly demonstrating that Hyundai is no longer a second rate manufacturer.

*information subject to change