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10 Fuel-Efficient Cars that Save You Gas and Money

Fuel EfficientThese days fuel-efficiency is a huge factor when going to buy a new car. Some people don’t want to spend thousands of dollars a year on gas-guzzlers, while others care about the environment and know that a better fuel economy means less pollution.

Regardless of your reason, buying a fuel efficient car is a great way to save on gas and money. Over the past decade there has been a push to invent the most economically-efficient car, and it has yielded hybrid cars, electronic cars, and cars that run on all sorts of fuel other than regular gasoline.

Many of these other types of cars have a much better gas mileage rating than the cars on this list. However, while these cars are slowly becoming more popular, most people will stick with gas-fueled cars.

Electronic cars and hybrids take a lot of extra work, and if something breaks down they can be very expensive to fix. Gas-fueled cars are a reliable option that most people know and trust.

Before you fill up your tank or purchase a new car, take a look at these ten cars that are saving people money on gas.

  1. Honda Fit. First introduced when gas prices were shooting skyward, the Honda Fit was a breath of fresh air. The latest model features a spacious interior, impressive cargo-storage capacity, and tight reliable handling.

    EPA-estimated fuel economy is 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. At these levels, you will only be spending an average of $1,750 a year on gas. This subcompact car might be small, but it utilizes its space with the utmost efficiency and is a lot of fun to drive.
  2. Hyundai Sonata.  Though the Sonata is a lot like other midsize sedans, with its safety features and choice of trim levels, what sets it apart from the pack is its low price and very good fuel economy. This family-friendly car offers low road noise, a stylish cabin, and surprisingly sporty handling dynamics.

    EPA-estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Conservative drivers will only be spending about $1,950 a year on gas. Everything about the Sonata feels well-built, and it will feel even better when you realize how much you are saving on gas.
  3. Ford Fiesta. The subcompact Fiesta has been changing the way buyers view cars in the economy class. No longer are these cars simply cheap and reliable, but Ford is showing that they can be sporty and sexy as well. Just the entry level model gets you an auxiliary audio jack, keyless entry, and a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel – and it only gets better from there.

    The fuel economy is estimated at 29 mpg for the city and 39 mpg for the highway, with an average spending of $1,650 a year in gas. Even if you can’t afford pricey sports cars and luxury cruisers, you can still find a reason to celebrate with the Fiesta.
  4. Scion iQ. This subcompact hatchback isn’t just small, it’s tiny. It’s three feet shorter than the Honda Fit, and only has four seats. Luckily Scion makes use of what little space there is in a practical and efficient manner. A full-size person can sit in the front and back seats, and folding the backseats down gives you the same cargo space as a full-size sedan.

    Thanks to its small footprint, the iQ gets 36 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, and the annual fuel cost is about $1,450. This car performs smoothly, both on the road and with its fuel economy.
  5. Nissa Versa. The Versa is all about simplicity. A simple design, simple handling, and a simply great fuel economy. If you want something with flair and pizzaz then look elsewhere. But for those who want an inexpensive and fuel-efficient car, the Versa is one the top choices.

    The latest model gets 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, bringing the average cost of gas per year down to $1,550. Reliable, safe, and cheap on gas, the Versa is one for the economically-minded.
  6. Chevrolet Sonic. With the popularity of foreign cars in America, the Sonic is a nice example of homegrown talent. The latest model is offered as a sedan or a four-door hatchback, and both are excellent examples of fuel efficient cars.

    Top miles-per-gallon in the city is 29, while on the highway you can get up to 40 mpg. And the average annual fuel cost is $1,650, making an already low-priced car even more affordable. All of the models and trims have manual speed transmissions, so this is the perfect gas-saver for those who like to shift their own gears.
  7. Toyota Yaris. For those looking specifically for a hatchback class of car, one cannot go wrong with the latest model of the Yaris. There are a variety of features offered in various trims, but just the base L trim comes with power locks, Bluetooth streaming, USB/iPod connectivity, and satellite radio.

    At 30 mpg in the city and 36 mpg in the highway, fuel economy is also decently frugal. This may not be the most fuel efficient option in the competitive subcompact class of cars, but its low price, reliable handling, and great entertainment options make it a strong contender.
  8. Ford F-150. Trucks are notoriously bad at eating up gas, but if you must have a truck then you couldn’t do better than America’s number one selling model. The latest in the F-series offers a staggering nine different trim levels, ensuring that you will be able to find the perfect truck no matter what your wants and requirements are.

    Even though trucks will never be as fuel efficient as other types of cars, the F-150 is at the top of its class with 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. For those interested in buying a truck and saving on gas, the Ford F-150 is your best bet.
  9. Buick Encore. Much like trucks, SUVs are also known for their poor fuel economy. But a recent trend in crossover SUVs, cars that are more compact without losing space or quality, is producing better results. The Encore is a totally new model from Buick for 2013. It shines with smooth suspension, quiet road noise, and one of the best gas mileage estimates in its class.

    The Encore gets up to 25 mpg in the city and up to 33 mpg on the highway, all the while keeping the annual fuel cost just below $2,000. Buick’s Encore might not be as large as the traditional SUV, but it will certainly save you much more in gas.
  10. Smart Fortwo. This little car is comparable in size to the Scion iQ, but it is even smaller, making it the smallest car sold in North America. Despite its close quarters the Fortwo’s top priorities are safety and comfort, both aspects of which it excels at. The engine is actually placed in the back to increase crumple-zone space in the front, and its crash-test scores are top tier.

    The Fortwo manages to achieve 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, no small feat for such a car (pun intended). The car has a slower acceleration and doesn’t handle as well on the highway as other vehicles. But the pint-size car might be perfect for those who live in the city or suburbs and want something that is incredibly fuel efficient.



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