Consumer Reports, in its latest 2011 automotive survey, has selected the most fuel efficient, worst gas guzzlers and best fuel economy among used cars.
“Hybrid and diesel vehicles provide better fuel economy than conventional cars, but they usually cost more to buy, and as gas prices rise, the pay-back time gets shorter,” said David Champion, Senior Director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Conn.
Below are recommended models in six categories that provide the best fuel economy. To be recommended, they met Consumer Reports’ stringent requirements for test performance, reliability, and safety. So, not only do they provide excellent fuel economy for their class, but they’re solid overall choices. according to the publication.
Subcompact
Best: Honda Fit $16,020, 30 mpg
Worst: Chevrolet Aveo LT, 25 mpg
Small Wagons & Hatchbacks:
Best: Volkswagen Golf TDI (Diesel, manual), $24,764, 38 mpg
Worst: Scion xB, Subaru Impreza Outback Sport (AWD), 23 mpg
Small Sedans
Best: Toyota Corolla LE, $18,404, 32 mpg
Worst : Subaru Impreza 2.5i, 24 mpg
Family Car
Best: Toyota Prius IV (Hybrid), $24,750, 44 mpg
Worst: Ford Fusion SEL (V6, AWD), Chevrolet Impala LTZ (V6), Mazda6 V6, 20 mpg
Upscale/Sports Sedan
Best: Lexus HS 250h (Hybrid), $38,939, 31 mpg
Worst: Lincoln MKZ, 20 mpg
Small SUV
Best: Ford Escape Hybrid, $32,575, 26 mpg
Worst: Dodge Nitro SLT (3.7 liters), Jeep Liberty Sport, 16 mpg
Article Last Updated: June 8, 2011.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
