What Small Car Has the Best Gas Mileage

Most every automaker has made great strides in improving fuel economy over the years. But even though fleetwide figures are on the rise, there are some stars in the sky that shine brighter than others.

Whether you're in the market for something small or a much larger model, this list runs down the most fuel-efficient vehicles you can find across a wide variety of vehicle classes. Bear in mind, this list does not include crossovers or SUVs, but don't worry, we have a list coming for them, too. For now, though, let's take a look at the most fuel-efficient sedans, hatchbacks and coupes on sale today.

The best subcompact car for gas mileage

2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Mitsubishi

Fuel economy: 35 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, 37 mpg combined

Unsurprisingly, the most efficient subcompact car is also the most efficient nonhybrid in the group! The Mitsubishi Mirage might not win any awards for design or ride quality, but if you want a new car with a fresh warranty and a whole lot of fuel efficiency, the Mirage is where it's at.

All Mirage variants get their motive force from a diminutive 1.2-liter I3 gas engine producing 76 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque, which is routed to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. A five-speed manual is standard on the base trim, but it's not nearly as efficient.

The best small car for gas mileage

2021 Hyundai Elantra

Jon Wong/Roadshow

Fuel economy: 33 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, 37 mpg combined

It might come as a surprise that many of these cars are not hybrids, but they aren't. In the case of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, sometimes all you need for fuel thrift is a compact sedan with a slippery shape and an efficient powertrain.

The most efficient nonhybrid Elantra wields a 2.0-liter I4 gas engine producing 147 hp and 132 lb.-ft. Like many of the small cars on this list, the sole transmission on offer is a CVT. It's a lot peppier than the Mirage, that's for sure.

Read our 2021 Hyundai Elantra review.

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The best coupe for gas mileage

2021 Mini Cooper Hardtop

Mini

Fuel economy: 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, 31 mpg combined

BMW Group's funky, youth-oriented brand offers some surprising efficiency -- and, as an added benefit, this fuel economy figure not only applies to the Mini Cooper Hardtop, but the Mini Cooper Convertible, as well! Variety is the spice of life, folks.

In order to hit these impressive figures, Mini utilizes a 1.5-liter turbocharged I3 gas engine making 136 hp and 162 lb.-ft. That heads to the front wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission, although a manual is also available, albeit with a slight dent in the economy department.

The best hatchback for gas mileage

2021 Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi

Fuel economy: 36 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, 39 mpg combined

And we're back to Mitsubishi! The Mirage G4 sedan mentioned earlier is essentially a carbon copy of the Mirage hatchback, just with a different rear end, so it's no surprise that this car also takes the spot for being the most fuel-efficient hatchback on offer.

The bodies may differ slightly, but it's basically the same car underneath all that metal. The Mirage G4's 1.2-liter I3 reappears in the hatchback, producing the same 76 hp and 74 lb.-ft. The CVT is still more efficient than the five-speed manual, to boot. It's a little more efficient than the G4, but only by a hair.

The best midsize sedan for gas mileage

2021 Honda Accord

Craig Cole/Roadshow

Fuel economy: 30 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, 33 mpg combined

For many years, the midsize sedan was the de facto family car in the US. Crossovers have taken up that mantle, more or less, but good old-fashioned sedans still have plenty to offer, as evidenced by the fuel economy of the 2021 Honda Accord.

Even without the optional hybrid powertrain, the 2021 Honda Accord is mighty efficient. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged I4 gas engine makes a satisfying 192 hp and 192 lb.-ft., and like many other cars on this list, that power heads to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission.

Read our 2021 Honda Accord Sedan review.

The best full-size sedan for gas mileage

2021 Toyota Avalon

Toyota

Fuel economy: 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, 28 mpg combined

The Toyota Avalon is large and in charge, and in fact, it's one of the few remaining full-size sedans on sale today. Yet, even without a hybrid powertrain, this big 'Yota is surprisingly efficient.

Of course, you'll have to skip the 301-hp V6 in order to achieve these figures. Instead, you'll be making do with a 2.5-liter I4 gas engine making 205 hp and 185 lb.-ft., mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Unlike most of the cars mentioned on this list so far, though, all-wheel drive is standard, which is a nice touch.

The best small sports sedan for gas mileage

2021 Toyota Corolla Apex

Andrew Krok/Roadshow

Fuel economy: 31 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, 34 mpg combined

Whether or not you want to argue about the Corolla Apex's title of "sports sedan," it's a stiffly sprung car meant to be thrown around corners, which is enough of a qualification for this list.

The trick to making a sporty sedan efficient is, in this case, using the same engine as its more-pedestrian siblings. The Apex relies on a 2.0-liter I4 gas engine putting out 169 hp and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed manual is available, but Toyota's CVTs are so efficient that rowing your own will incur a fuel-economy penalty. It's pretty darn affordable, too, coming in at a hair over $26,000 including destination.

Read our 2021 Toyota Corolla preview.

The best midsize sports sedan for gas mileage

2021 Kia Stinger

Kia

Fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, 25 mpg combined

We've finally reached a point on the list where the cars are getting a little less efficient. Take the midsize Kia Stinger, for example, which is the first car on this list with a highway figure under 30 mpg. But it's still pretty darn thrifty!

Kia updated the Stinger's powertrain offerings for the 2022 model year, so the 2021 version is your last chance to get a Stinger with a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 making 255 hp and 260 lb.-ft. An eight-speed automatic transmission is the only way to send that power to the rear wheels, but it's a good one.

The best full-size sports sedan for gas mileage

2021 Dodge Charger

Dodge

Fuel economy: 19 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, 23 mpg combined

Is the Dodge Charger a sports sedan? I believe it is. It might not be built for agility, but you can shove it full of horsepower and leave pieces of tire across several counties, so, I think that qualifies.

Variety is the name of the game with the 2021 Dodge Charger. In its most efficient form, this V6-powered sedan makes 292 hp and 260 lb.-ft. Spend a bit more, and you can replace that with a 5.7-liter V8 with 370 horsepower that still produces some darned solid fuel economy. Once you start moving up to the Scat Packs and Hellcats out there, though, your wallet may start to feel the hurt.

2021 Dodge Charger Redeye has big power and a wide stance

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The best small luxury car for gas mileage

2021 Mercedes-Benz A220

Andrew Krok/Roadshow

Fuel economy: 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, 29 mpg combined

Consider the Mercedes-Benz A-Class to be the slightly less curvaceous sibling to the CLA-Class. You might think the CLA-Class would win the fuel-economy fight given its slippery silhouette, but nope, the regular ol' sedan comes out on top.

The A220 relies on a turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 producing 188 hp and 221 lb.-ft. Whether opting for front- or all-wheel drive, the A220 sends that power around by way of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. If you want something a little peppier, there's a more expensive (and potent) AMG variant on offer, too.

The best midsize luxury car for gas mileage

2021 Lexus ES 250

Craig Cole/Roadshow

Fuel economy: 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, 28 mpg combined

Despite being a full class larger, the 2021 Lexus ES 250 is nearly as efficient as the car that directly precedes it on this list. Solid.

The Lexus ES 250 packs a 2.5-liter I4 gas engine making 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is all-wheel drive, the latter of which is impressive considering how efficient this midsizer is on the highway.

Read our 2021 Lexus ES review.

The best full-size luxury car for gas mileage

2021 BMW 740i

BMW

Fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, 25 mpg combined

The luxury segment is full of surprisingly efficient vehicles, as it turns out. The midsize Lexus ES proved impressively thrifty, but BMW's venerable 7 Series isn't about to let the Lexus hog the spotlight.

Despite its honkin' footprint, the 2021 BMW 740i returns nearly 30 mpg on the highway thanks to a thrifty 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 that makes 335 hp and 331 lb.-ft. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but for a slight hit to economy, all-wheel drive is there for the taking, too. No matter how many driven wheels it has, though, it's one seriously cushy car.

The best small hybrid for gas mileage

2021 Hyundai Ioniq Blue

Hyundai

Fuel economy: 58 mpg city, 60 mpg highway, 59 mpg combined

No, this isn't a typo. This is a hybrid hatchback that earns 60 miles per gallon. If you really want to stretch your hydrocarbons, the Hyundai Ioniq Blue is a heck of a way to do it.

So what's the trick? It starts with the hybrid-electric powertrain, which includes a 104-hp, 1.6-liter I4 gas engine along with an electric motor for a net 139 hp. The Blue variant also does away with most of the unnecessary creature comforts found in higher trims in order to squeak out every iota of efficiency, and the result is pretty impressive.

The best midsize hybrid for gas mileage

2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Andrew Krok/Roadshow

Fuel economy: 51 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, 52 mpg combined

It's amazing what 200 horsepower will get you in 2021. In the case of the 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid, it'll get you more than 50 mpg in most situations.

The Camry Hybrid has been one of the most efficient midsize sedans since its inception, and Toyota only continues to refine the formula. With 208 net hp on tap, 176 of which comes from its 2.5-liter I4 gas engine, it doesn't exactly feel pokey. Since it's a Camry, there's a fair amount of space inside, and there are more standard safety systems that most competitors can muster.

Read our 2021 Toyota Camry preview.

The best full-size hybrid for gas mileage

2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Craig Cole/Roadshow

Fuel economy: 43 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, 44 mpg combined

It might not be as thrifty as the Camry Hybrid, but for its size, the Toyota Avalon Hybrid is pretty darned impressive.

The Avalon Hybrid uses the same 2.5-liter I4 gas engine as the Camry Hybrid, although net output is a smidgeon higher here at 215 hp. Either way, it's still frugal enough to return 43 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. In a full-size sedan!

Read our 2021 Toyota Avalon review.

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The best small plug-in hybrid for gas mileage

2021 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid

Hyundai

Fuel economy: 119 mpge, 52 mpg on gas alone

The Hyundai Ioniq is available as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a battery-electric vehicle, and they're all pretty efficient, as evidenced by the fact that they keep showing up on this list.

The Ioniq PHEV combines a 104-hp, 1.6-liter I4 gas engine with an electric motor and a 8.9-kWh battery for a net 139 horsepower. Hyundai estimates a 29-mile range on the battery alone, and with everything working together, drivers can expect to get about 620 miles out of a tank of gas. On a Level 2 charger, the battery takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to charge.

Spacious little Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric crossover is all angles

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The best midsize plug-in hybrid for gas mileage

2021 Toyota Prius Prime

Toyota

Fuel economy: 133 mpge, 54 mpg on gas alone

A Prius? On a list of efficient cars? No way.

The midsize Prius Prime plug-in hybrid is the most efficient PHEV in its class. Its 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle I4 works in conjunction with an electric motor to provide a net 121 horsepower. Its 8.8-kWh battery permits electric-only operation up to 25 miles at a time at speeds up to 84 mph. Hook it up to a Level 2 charger and it'll top itself off in just over 2 hours.

The best full-size plug-in hybrid for gas mileage

2021 Audi A7 PHEV

Audi

Fuel economy: 68 mpge, 29 mpg on gas alone

The Audi A7 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid may be one of the most expensive cars on this list, but it's also the most efficient full-size PHEV you can buy.

Since it's a sports sedan at its heart, it's no surprise that output is way higher than the other PHEVs on this list, with a net 362 hp and 369 lb.-ft. coming from a combination of its electric motor and its 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 gas engine. It'll cruise around in electric-only silence for 24 miles at a stretch, too. It's not the thriftiest car on the block when the gas engine has to do most of the work, so make sure to keep 'er topped off.

The best sports car for gas mileage

2021 Mazda MX-5

Mazda

Fuel economy: 26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, 30 mpg combined

It's never a bad day when conversation turns to the Mazda MX-5, aka the Miata.

Mazda's diminutive sports coupe is the most efficient sports car running on a gas engine alone, reaching 35 mpg on the highway with a six-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual is standard, but you lose 1 mpg on the highway, which isn't a bad trade-off. Either way, its 2.0-liter I4 puts out a decent 181 horsepower, all of which is sent to the rear wheels. It's a real good time.

Read our 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata review.

The best minivan for gas mileage

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Emme Hall/Roadshow

Fuel economy: 82 mpge, 30 mpg on gas alone

The 2021 Pacifica Hybrid is the only PHEV minivan, which automatically makes it the most efficient, as it's capable of driving 32 miles without even needing its gas engine. However, it's only good for 30 mpg on gas alone, which makes it less efficient than the 2021 Toyota Sienna, which is a hybrid-electric vehicle that averages 36 mpg city, highway and combined.

Thus, it's a bit of a toss-up. If you plug in regularly and drive only a few miles between the usual destinations, the Pacifica Hybrid will likely return better overall mileage. However, if daily use involves a bit more variety, the Sienna might be the more efficient minivan for you. This one comes down to your personal preference and use case, but you can't go wrong with either one.

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Comparison of cars with the best gas mileage for 2021

Category	Name	Base Engine	Output	Fuel Economy (mpg, city/hwy/combined)	Base Price
Best subcompact	2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4	1.2-liter I3	76 hp / 74 lb.-ft.	35 / 41 / 37	$16,290
Best small car	2021 Hyundai Elantra	2.0-liter I4	147 hp / 132 lb.-ft.	33 / 43 / 37	$20,655
Best coupe	2021 Mini Cooper Hardtop	1.5-liter I3	136 hp / 162 lb.-ft.	28 / 37 / 31	$23,750
Best hatchback	2021 Mitsubishi Mirage	1.2-liter I3	76 hp / 74 lb.-ft.	36 / 43 / 39	$15,290
Best midsize sedan	2021 Honda Accord	1.5-liter I4	192 hp / 192 lb.-ft.	30 / 38 / 33	$25,965
Best full-size sedan	2021 Toyota Avalon	2.5-liter I4	205 hp / 185 lb.-ft.	25 / 34 / 28	$37,120
Best small sports sedan	2021 Toyota Corolla Apex	2.0-liter I4	169 hp / 151 lb.-ft.	31 / 38 / 34	$26,165
Best midsize sports sedan	2021 Kia Stinger	2.0-liter I4	255 hp / 260 lb.-ft.	22 / 29 / 25	$34,135
Best full-size sports sedan	2021 Dodge Charger	3.5-liter V6	292 hp / 260 lb.-ft.	19 / 30 / 23	$32,065
Best small luxury car	2021 Mercedes-Benz A220	2.0-liter I4	188 hp / 221 lb.-ft.	25 / 36 / 29	$34,700
Best midsize luxury car	2021 Lexus ES 250	2.5-liter I4	203 hp / 184 lb.-ft.	25 / 34 / 28	$41,025
Best full-size luxury car	2021 BMW 740i	3.0-liter I6	335 hp / 331 lb.-ft.	22 / 29 / 25	$87,795
Best small hybrid	2021 Hyundai Ioniq Blue	1.6-liter I4 hybrid	139 hp (net)	58 / 60 / 59	$24,405
Best midsize hybrid	2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid	2.5-liter I4 hybrid	208 hp (net)	51 / 53 / 52	$28,265
Best full-size hybrid	2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid	2.5-liter I4 hybrid	215 hp (net)	43 / 44 / 44	$38,095
Best small PHEV	2021 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV	1.6-liter I4 PHEV	139 hp (net)	119 mpge (52 mpg gas)	$27,495
Best midsize PHEV	2021 Toyota Prius Prime	1.8-liter I4 PHEV	121 hp (net)	133 mpge (54 mpg gas)	$29,215
Best full-size PHEV	2021 Audi A7 PHEV	2.0-liter I4 PHEV	362 hp (net)	68 mpge (29 mpg gas)	$75,945
Best sports car	2021 Mazda MX-5	2.0-liter I4	181 hp / 151 lb.-ft.	26 / 35 / 30	$27,825
Best minivan	2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid	3.5-liter V6 PHEV	260 hp (net)	82 mpge (30 mpg gas)	$42,115

How we made our list

While our many collective years of driving experience may help guide you toward the best car in a given class, fuel economy is a bit more straightforward. To compile this list, we went straight to the source: the federal government's fuel-economy website, which tracks the efficiency of every car found on dealer lots across the US.

Of course -- and no pun intended -- your mileage may vary. Reaching fuel economy figures can be easy with some cars and trickier with others. It's also worth pointing out that your favorite car in a segment might not always be the most efficient, so it's worth taking several models out for test drives before you decide on the car that's best for your wants and needs. Prices are also subject to change from dealer to dealer.

Read more:Best back-to-school cars for 2021

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What Small Car Has the Best Gas Mileage

Source: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/best-gas-mileage-car/

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