In an era where environmental sustainability and rising fuel costs are at the forefront of our minds, finding a fuel-efficient car that doesn’t break the bank has become a priority for many car buyers. Thankfully, advancements in automotive technology have paved the way for a new generation of vehicles that not only deliver impressive fuel economy but also offer exciting features, stylish designs, and affordable price tags.
Whether you’re a budget-conscious driver looking to save on fuel expenses or an Eco-conscious individual aiming to reduce your carbon footprint, this blog post will be your compass as we dive into the world of fuel-efficient cars. From compact hybrids to traditional combustion engines, these cars not only offer excellent fuel economy but also prioritize driver comfort, cutting-edge technology, and stunning aesthetics. With our guide, you’ll be able to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the perfect fuel-efficient car that aligns with your requirements and budget.
Nissan Versa – Starting at $19,990, the subcompact Nissan Versa gets an EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. The Versa is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. It also comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, but a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available as an option.
While The Versa is not the most exciting car to drive, it is comfortable and practical with a spacious interior that has plenty of legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers. The trunk is also relatively large, with 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space.
The Versa comes standard with a variety of features, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera. Optional features include a sunroof, heated front seats, and a Bose sound system.
Nissan Sentra – Starting at $20,050, the Sentra is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. The Sentra is available with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels.
The Sentra gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. It is also available with a variety of safety features, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring.
The Sentra is available in four trim levels: S, SV, SR, and SR Midnight Edition. The base S trim starts at $20,050. The SV trim adds features such as a 6.75-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a rearview camera. The SR trim adds sportier styling, a sport-tuned suspension, and paddle shifters. The SR Midnight Edition adds black exterior accents and a black interior.
Honda Insight – Starting at $23,200, the Honda Insight is a hybrid sedan that gets an EPA-estimated 51 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. It’s powered by a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, and it can travel up to 25 miles on electric power alone.
While the Insight is a bit smaller than some of its competitors, it still offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo. It also comes standard with a number of features, including a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Toyota Prius – Starting at $27,450, the 2023 Toyota Prius is a hybrid hatchback that offers excellent fuel economy, starting at 57 mpg in the city and 56 mpg on the highway. It is also available with all-wheel drive, which is a rarity in the hybrid car market. The Prius is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, which combine to produce 194 horsepower. It comes standard with a variety of safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The 2023 Prius is available in five trim levels: LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited, and Prime. The LE is the base trim level, and it comes standard with features like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, and Bluetooth connectivity. The LE Plus adds features like a 10-speaker JBL sound system, a sunroof, and heated front seats. The XLE adds features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a blind spot monitoring system. The Limited adds features like a panoramic sunroof, a JBL sound system with 11 speakers, and a wireless charging pad. The Prime is a plug-in hybrid version of the Prius, and it offers an all-electric driving range of up to 44 miles.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid – Starting at $23,050, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is powered by a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor that produces 138 horsepower. The Corolla Hybrid gets up to an EPA-estimated 50 combined mpg, making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market.
In addition to its fuel efficiency, the Corolla Hybrid also offers a comfortable and spacious interior. It has a cargo volume of 13.1 cubic feet, which is enough space for groceries, luggage, or sports equipment. The Corolla Hybrid also comes standard with a variety of safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is available in three trim levels: LE, SE, and XLE. The LE is the base trim level and comes standard with features such as a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera. The SE trim adds features such as a 10-inch touchscreen display, a JBL sound system, and heated front seats. The XLE trim is the top-of-the-line trim level and adds features such as a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Toyota Camry Hybrid – Starting at $29,750, the The Camry Hybrid is available in five trim levels: LE, SE, SE Nightshade, XLE, and XSE. All models come standard with a variety of features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, a Smart Key System with Push Button Start, and a 4-mode switch (EV, Eco, Normal, Sport).
Toyota markets the Camry as a mid-size vehicle that offers a great combination of performance, fuel economy, and features. It is powered by a 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor, which combine to produce 176 hp. The Camry Hybrid gets up to 51 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the road.
Mazda MX-30 EV – Starting at $34,110, the 2023 Mazda MX-30 EV is a small electric SUV that is designed to offer a balance of range and driving enjoyment. It is powered by a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides an EPA-estimated range of 100 miles. The MX-30 EV can be charged from 20% to 80% in about 36 minutes using a DC fast charger.
The MX-30 EV is available in two trim levels: Select and Premium Plus. The Select trim comes standard with features such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. The Premium Plus trim adds features such as heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a 360-degree camera system. It should be noted that this model comes with limited availability in California only.
Honda Accord Hybrid – Starting at $31,345, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid is a midsize sedan that offers a long list of standard features. It is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that produce a combined 204 horsepower. The Accord Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 51 mpg city and 44 mpg highway, which is among the best in its class.
The interior of the Accord Hybrid is well-designed and comfortable. The front seats are supportive and spacious, and the rear seats offer plenty of legroom and headroom. The Accord Hybrid also comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a sunroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Other standard features on the Accord Hybrid include LED headlights, a rearview camera, and Honda Sensing, which is a suite of advanced safety features that includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid is available in four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid – Starting at $24,550, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is a fuel-efficient sedan powered by a 1.6-liter GDI 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, which produces a total of 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Elantra Hybrid is EPA-rated at 53 mpg city/56 mpg highway/54 combined in the Blue trim, and 49 mpg city/52 mpg highway/50 combined in the Limited trim.
The Elantra Hybrid comes standard with a variety of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, automatic high-beams, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and side automatic emergency braking. It also comes standard with a 6-speaker sound system, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a rearview camera.
The Elantra Hybrid is available in two trim levels: Blue and Limited. The Blue trim is the more affordable option, while the Limited trim offers more features and amenities.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Starting at $28,100, the 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a mid-size sedan that is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor. It has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 50 city / 54 highway mpg, making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market. The Sonata Hybrid also comes standard with a variety of safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist, and lane departure warning.
In terms of interior features, the Sonata Hybrid comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display audio system, Bluelink® Connected Car System, and cloth seats. Higher trim levels offer features such as a panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster, and leather seats. Trim level options include the SE, SEL, and Limited.
Honorable Mention:
Honda Civic – Starting at $23,750, the Honda Civic is a compact car that is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. It is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The Civic is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The Civic gets an EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway with the manual transmission, and 32 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway with the CVT.
The Civic comes standard with a variety of features, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rearview camera, and Bluetooth. For the higher trim levels, some of the available features on the Civic include a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Bose sound system, a sunroof, heated front seats, and a wireless charging pad.
It’s important to note that these are just the EPA estimates, and your actual fuel economy may vary depending on driving conditions and other factors. Whether you’re a city dweller seeking nimble agility or a long-distance commuter yearning for extended range, this list holds a lot of value in providing a brief overview of the best fuel-efficient sedans on the market today. Also be sure to check out the previous post “Inflation Has Hit The Car Market Hard“, for tips on getting the right car at the right price.
*Please note that these prices are only reflective of 2023 new car values and are subject to change based upon market conditions*