Top 10 Car Brands for Fuel Economy (Gas & Hybrid – 2023)
Some manufacturers prioritize performance or luxury; other car makes produce vehicles for budget-conscious buyers wanting the highest possible fuel economy.
These fuel-efficient car brands sell some of the best miles-per-gallon models, including gas-only and hybrid ones.
#1 Toyota
If you want the most fuel-efficient economy cars, opting for a Toyota is a smart choice.
Although it has several competitors with strong mpg figures, this manufacturer’s cars and SUVs have among the best gas mileage in their respective segments – the most efficient ones are typically CVT-equipped Toyotas.
This Japanese marque has the most recognizable nameplates in the sedan market with superior fuel economy:
- Toyota Corolla – compact sedan & hatchback.
- Toyota Camry – midsize sedan.
- Toyota Avalon – full-size sedan.
Toyota’s SUVs are equally fuel-efficient:
- Toyota C-HR – subcompact SUV.
- Toyota Corolla Cross – compact SUV.
- Toyota RAV4 – compact SUV (larger than the Corolla Cross).
- Toyota Venza – midsize SUV.
Toyota is a leader in the hybrid-powertrain space, and these hybrid and plug-in-hybrid models are compelling picks to save on gas:
- Toyota Prius – hybrid hatchback.
- Toyota Prius Prime – plug-in-hybrid hatchback.
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid – compact sedan.
- Toyota Camry Hybrid – midsize sedan.
- Toyota Avalon Hybrid – full-size sedan.
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – compact SUV.
- Toyota RAV4 Prime – compact plug-in-hybrid SUV.
#2 Kia
The leading Japanese car manufacturers like Toyota and Honda started out making economy cars on the cheap before transitioning to budget-friendly everyday vehicles with build quality to match more expensive rivals.
Kia – the corporate cousin of Hyundai from Korea – followed the same playbook and is now a dependable auto brand for excellent value for money.
Combining fuel frugality, feature-rich offerings, and solid build quality, Kia is probably the most economical car brand today, inheriting the mantle from its Japanese adversary.
Kia sedans are plenty thrifty on fuel:
- Kia Rio – extra-small sedan & hatchback.
- Kia Forte – small sedan.
- Kia K5 – midsize sedan.
The SUVs from this fuel-efficient Korean make are compelling alternatives to their Japanese counterparts:
- Kia Soul – extra-small SUV.
- Kia Seltos – extra-small SUV.
- Kia Sportage – small SUV.
- Kia Sorento – small three-row SUV.
Kia also has the hybrid segment covered, but the selection is relatively limited:
- Kia Niro – small hybrid and plug-in-hybrid SUVs.
- Kia Sorento Hybrid – small three-row SUV.
#3 Honda
Experienced car buyers know that Honda and Toyota are the go-to brands for impeccable reliability and high gas mileage.
However, Honda’s sportier handling is a differentiating factor that has won the hearts of those desiring a better driving experience.
Honda vehicles have a fun-to-drive nature, low ownership costs, and commendable fuel frugality over engine power ratio.
Honda is an excellent manufacturer of cars with strong yet thrifty engines:
- Honda Civic – small sedan and hatchback.
- Honda Accord – midsize sedan.
Its SUVs have strong pluses like fuel economy, cabin room, and interior refinement:
- Honda HR-V – extra-small SUV.
- Honda CR-V – small SUV.
- Honda Pilot – midsize three-row SUV.
Not to be outdone, Honda is also a brand with several hybrid vehicles that are good on gas:
- Honda Civic Hybrid – small sedan.
- Honda Clarity – midsize plug-in-hybrid sedan.
- Honda Insight – small hybrid sedan.
- Honda Accord Hybrid – midsize sedan.
#4 Hyundai
Hyundai vehicles carry affordable price tags and abundant high-tech features and are among the most fuel-efficient in their respective classes.
If you find the equivalent Honda or Toyota models slightly pricier for your budget, Hyundai should make your shortlist with its desirably higher bang for the money.
Besides improved build quality in recent decades, this Korean make maintains strong fuel economy as one of its core DNA.
These Hyundai sedans are the marque’s answer to its Japanese counterparts’ best-selling models:
- Hyundai Elantra – compact sedan.
- Hyundai Sonata – midsize sedan.
Meanwhile, its SUVs are worth considering for their attractive design, low prices, and above-average fuel economy:
- Hyundai Venue – subcompact SUV.
- Hyundai Kona – subcompact SUV.
- Hyundai Tucson – compact SUV.
- Hyundai Santa Fe – midsize SUV.
If you want a hybrid, Hyundai has several models to choose from:
- Hyundai Elantra Hybrid – compact sedan.
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – midsize sedan.
- Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid – compact hatchback.
- Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In-Hybrid – compact hatchback.
- Hyundai Tucson Hybrid – compact SUV.
- Hyundai Tucson Plug-In-Hybrid – compact SUV.
- Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid – midsize SUV.
- Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In-Hybrid – midsize SUV.
#5 Nissan
Although Nissan does not have Honda or Toyota’s reputation in overall build quality, it is a reasonably strong pick if you’re after an economical everyday car.
Like most rivals, Nissan’s sedan lineup covers the three common sizes with solid fuel economy:
- Nissan Versa – extra-small sedan.
- Nissan Sentra – small sedan.
- Nissan Altima – midsize sedan.
Nissan’s CVT models have a segment-average fuel economy.
The Japanese marque may not have an extensive SUV lineup, but it’s a manufacturer with smaller SUVs that return good mpg:
- Nissan Kicks – extra-small SUV.
- Nissan Rogue – small SUV.
#6 Buick
American automobiles generally trail their Japanese and Korean counterparts in gas mileage and reliability.
Still, Buick has two (smaller) SUVs worth considering if you want a reasonably fuel-efficient made-in-America car:
- Buick Encore GX – extra-small SUV.
- Buick Envision – small SUV.
#7 Chevrolet
While Buick has relatively limited options, Chevrolet flies the American flag with more fuel-efficient models to satisfy economy car buyers.
Chevrolet may be more popular for fast cars like the Chevy Camaro and Chevy Corvette.
Still, it’s a US-based auto brand with several reasonably-efficient passenger vehicles, ranging from good to decent mpg:
- Chevy Spark – subcompact hatchback.
- Chevy Malibu – midsize sedan.
- Chevy Trailblazer – subcompact SUV.
- Chevy Equinox – compact SUV.
#8 Mazda
Mazda stands out from the other fuel-efficiency manufacturers from the land of the rising sun with its vehicles’ engaging driving dynamics, refined ride quality, and upscale interior design.
But still, Mazda cars are reasonably good on gas compared to more-expensive luxury models while remaining affordable for the regular car buyer.
Mazda’s gas-powered cars have average fuel economy but plenty of character behind the wheel:
- Mazda 3 – small sedan and hatchback.
- Mazda 6 – midsize sedan (discontinued, but still worth considering as a used car).
- Mazda CX-30 – extra-small SUV.
- Mazda CX-50 – small SUV.
- Mazda CX-5 – small SUV.
- Mazda CX-9 – three-row midsize SUV.
While class-leading SUVs return close to 30 mpg combined, Mazda SUVs’ fuel consumption averages around the mid-20s mark; however, Mazda’s superior handling is worth the few-mpg trade-off.
#9 Subaru
This Japanese make is synonymous with inexpensive all-wheel-drive vehicles, although their fuel economy is typically segment-average among economy cars.
Still, if you want AWD as standard with reasonably strong fuel economy, Subaru CVT models are worth a look.
While Subaru does not have many mainstream sedans that will help you save on fuel, its SUVs stand out with better-than-average off-road capability thanks to their elevated ride height:
- Subaru Impreza – small sedan.
- Subaru Legacy – midsize sedan.
- Subaru Crosstrek – small SUV.
- Subaru Plug-In-Hybrid Crosstrek – small SUV.
- Subaru Forester – small SUV.
- Subaru Outback – midsize SUV.
#10 Lexus
While most automakers on this list fit the economy-car status, Lexus is the odd one out as a luxury marque. Still, its excellent fuel economy among premium brands is unmistakable.
Lexus is the best hybrid car brand with the most advanced gas-electric technology in the luxury segment, so its fuel efficiency credentials are worth considering for premium car buyers.
Besides, Lexus consistently tops reliability rankings across popular review sites.
Its hybrid powertrain models include the ES, LS, NX, and RX ranges.
References:
https://www.kia.com/us/en/vehicles
https://automobiles.honda.com/vehicles
https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/vehicles