Gas mileage by the numbers: 15 most fuel-efficient 2010 cars

Gas mileage efficiency is an important consideration for many new car buyers. It’s likely more important for someone buying a Toyota Yaris than it is for the purchaser of a Cadillac Escalade.

But EPA city and hwy mileage average are the most prominent numbers listed on an manufacturer’s monroney sticker.

Someone purchasing a Hummer is as interested in the numbers as someone buying a Honda Insight, but odds are they’ll still look at the averages.

All things considered, here are top 15 most fuel efficient cars, ranked in increasingly efficient order based on city mpg.

15. The Hyundai Elantra Blue (manual), MPG: 26 city, 35 highway Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $14,145; 14. Mini Cooper (manual) MPG: 28 city, 37 highway; MSRP: $19,500.

13. Toyota Yaris (manual), MPG: 29 city, 36 highway; MSRP: $12,905; 12 (tie): Volkswagen Jetta TDI (manual) MPG: 30 city, 41 highway, MSRP: $22,830; 12. Volkswagen Golf TDI (manual), MPG: 30 city, 41 highway; MSRP: $22,354 (Golf).

10. (tie) Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (automatic), MPG: 30 city, 42 highway; MSRP: $24,615; 10. Audi A3 (automatic), MPG: 30 city, 42 highway; MSRP: $27,270.

8. Smart For-Two Coupe or Convertible (both automatic), MPG: 33 city, 41 highway; MSRP: $11,990; 7. Ford Escape (and Mazda Tribute) Hybrid (both automatic); MPG: 34 city, 31 highway; MSRP: $29,175.

6. Nissan Altima Hybrid (automatic), MPG: 35 city, 34 highway; MSRP: $26,650; 5. 2010 Lexus HS 250h (automatic), MPG: 35 city, 34 highway; MSRP: $34,650.

4. Honda Insight Hybrid (automatic), MPG: 40 city, 43 highway; MSRP: $19,800; 3. Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic), MPG: 40 city, 45 highway; MSRP: $23,800.

2. Ford Fusion (and Mercury Milan) Hybrid (automatic), MPG: 41 city, 36 highway; MSRP: $27,950; 1. Toyota Prius (automatic), MPG: 51 city, 48 highway; MSRP: $22,800.

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Gas mileage by the numbers: 15 most fuel-efficient 2010 cars

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