What Are Today's Best Fuel-Efficient Vehicles?
If you’re in the process of shopping for a new vehicle, but not yet ready to make the leap into electrified driving with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or pure electric car, you still have plenty of amazing choices. There are many vehicles on the market that offer space, capability, and driving fun as well as impressive MPG figures. If you’re looking to reduce your fuel bills and carbon footprint, but want to stick with gasoline, we think the vehicles in this list are a great place to start.
Best Compact Car: Volkswagen Jetta
We love the Jetta because it’s a compact sedan with almost as much room as a larger mid-size. Almost everything about the Jetta seems like it’s from a class above, not just the spacious interior with its big, comfortable seats, but also its superb ride quality and quiet cabin (even when you’re cruising at high speeds). A recent update for the 2025 model year has made the Jetta even better, with a digital instrument cluster, upgraded interior, and enhanced exterior styling.
The Jetta’s German autobahn breeding also shines through. You can sense its stability and confidence from the moment you turn the wheel, and it handles turns and winding roads confidently. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produces 158 horsepower while absolutely sipping gas; nearly double what some similarly economical vehicles produce. Standard tech also includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, multiple USB ports, a back-up camera, and more.
- Starting MSRP: $22,495
- EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 29/39
Best Large Car: Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has always been one of the top-selling sedans in the U.S., trading the crown over decades with the similarly sized and very capable Toyota Camry. So why have we chosen the Accord? Well, the Camry has gone hybrid-only, so if you want gas power in an economical package, the Accord is where it’s at.
We love the Accord because it combines its frugality with a dose of luxury and driving excitement that make it feel like a more expensive car. Accord’s cabin is beautifully designed and finished, with the perfect combination of analog controls and digital screens, and even though the roof is low and sleek, there’s plenty of room in the rear even for tall family members.
The standard Honda Sensing safety suite includes blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, automatic pre-collision braking, and more. The best part? A responsive 192 horsepower turbocharged engine, 17-inch wheels, and fantastic suspension tuning make the Accord a great car to drive as well as a great car for hauling your family.
- Starting MSRP: $28,295
- EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 29/37
Best Luxury Car: BMW 330i
The BMW 3 Series is arguably the original sports sedan, and it’s still in many ways the best of the breed, a perfect combination of a dynamic chassis, luxurious interior, powerful engine, and sleek styling. The latest 330i, just recently updated, is better than ever, its 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic transmission delivering excellent economy without sacrificing driving thrills.
The 330’s rear-wheel drive chassis is magical in its ability to hold corners while maintaining an excellent ride, and it cruises effortlessly at high speeds. All-wheel drive is available, and there’s also a plug-in hybrid version if you can charge at home. More powerful versions include the M340i and M3 super-sedan.
Inside, you’ll find a thoughtfully designed interior with all the latest tech, including a huge, curved display that integrates a digital instrument cluster and a infotainment display which can be operated by touch or with physical controls. Standard safety equipment includes frontal collision warning and automatic collision braking.
- Starting MSRP: $45,950
- EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 26/36
Best Compact SUV: Hyundai Kona
Recently redesigned, Hyundai calls the sharp-looking Kona an “SUV for the city,” and that’s a pretty apt description for this versatile all-rounder. It has a naturally aspirated 2-liter engine that produces 147 horsepower, more than enough for daily duties with front-wheel drive; 35 mpg on the highway is a great figure too.
While all-wheel drive is available, we don’t think most buyers will miss the ability to go bashing rocks on weekends; instead, they’ll likely appreciate the thoughtfully designed interior, the standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, and the impressive 10-year warranty. The Kona’s exterior design turns heads wherever it goes, and its interior is spacious, well-designed, and comfortable.
Want even better efficiency and lower emissions? There’s an electric version available.
- Starting MSRP: $24,550
- EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 28/35
Best SUV: Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in America, and looking at its specs and features, it’s easy to understand why. It brings the rugged looks and raised-up ride height drivers love and then adds Toyota quality and impressive fuel economy. Outside, the latest RAV4 has an aggressive, blocky vibe that gives it some real attitude; inside, it’s well-made, thoughtfully designed, and more spacious than ever.
RAV4’s simple controls give you access to tech including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Active cruise control, pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign recognition, and automatic high beams are all standard. Drivers looking for more performance, or better economy than the 2.5-liter four cylinder, can choose a powerful and even more economical hybrid version.
- Starting MSRP: $29,250
- EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 27/35
Best Luxury SUV: BMW X3
What’s the best-selling model in the BMW lineup? The X3 SUV – from the company best-known for its sports sedans. Drive one, however, and you’ll understand why. Although the X3 isn’t the newest model in its segment, it offers the best combination of space, performance, luxury, and economy. Completely redesigned for 2025, the new X3 is better than ever, bigger inside, with more features and a fresh new look.
Thanks to a powerful turbocharged engine and a beautifully tuned chassis, it is among the best SUVs to drive, and its interior is roomy, versatile, and packed with technology. A digital instrument cluster sits alongside a large central screen in one curved display, which is intuitive to operate thanks to touch as well as physical controls. And standard safety gear is comprehensive, including lane departure warning, frontal collision warning and collision mitigation, blind spot detection, and more. The X3 30 xDrive boasts 255 horsepower and dashes to 60 mph in just 6 seconds while getting significantly better fuel mileage than its predecessor.
- Starting MSRP: $49,950
- EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 27/33
Best Pickup: Ford F-150 XL
F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in America for decades. It’s available in a huge variety of configurations, from basic to ultra-luxurious. If you’re looking for a great combination of capability and fuel economy, we think the basic F-150 is best: the F-150 XL is economical and well-equipped, and a very good value as the perfect work truck. Its 2.7-liter EcoBoost turbocharged V6 produces 325 horsepower, more than adequate for most duties, while giving 26 MPG on the highway, among the best in its class.
Need help choosing the best fuel-efficient car for you? Try our interactive GreenCars Buyer's Tool
The F-150 XL’s short box has enough room for most jobs, and its practical vinyl interior is easy to keep clean. Even in its most basic form, you don’t miss out on technology with the F-150; a standard 8-inch touchscreen keeps you connected to the world around you, while a rear-view camera, stability control, six airbags, and more are there to help keep you safe.
- Starting MSRP: $37,065
- EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 20/26
Best Sports Car: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Just because you want to drive a sports car doesn’t mean you have to guzzle gas. In fact, the Mazda Miata, one of the most economical sports cars you can buy, is also one of the most fun to drive. This beautiful, tiny convertible has a responsive four-cylinder engine, a fantastic six-speed manual gearbox, great suspension, and small tires which make it great fun to drive at all speeds.
While its interior is tight, the Miata comes with all the features you’d want, including a dash-top screen with modern infotainment. The best part is its manual convertible top: you can drop it or raise it with one hand, without even getting out of the driver’s seat. A recent update bumped power to 181 horsepower, more than adequate for such a small, light car, and enhanced the already-excellent handling.
For driving thrills without the sting of hefty fuel bills, look no further than the timelessly stylish Mazda.
- Starting MSRP: $29,530
- EPA Estimated City/Highway MPG: 26/35
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