Vehicles are ranked by their combined rating (weighted by 55% city and 45% highway), then by their city rating. In the event of a tie, multiple vehicles may share the same ranking.
| 1. |  |
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV | Combined 112 | City 126/Highway 99 |
| Electric Vehicle, Auto (A1) | ||||
| 2. |  |
2012 Nissan Leaf | Combined 99 | City 106/Highway 92 |
| Electric Vehicle, Auto (A1) | ||||
| 3. |  |
2012 Azure Dynamics Transit Connect Van | Combined 62 | City 62/Highway 62 |
| Electric Vehicle, Auto | ||||
| |
2012 Azure Dynamics Transit Connect Wagon | Combined 62 | City 62/Highway 62 | |
| Electric Vehicle, Auto | ||||
| 4. |  |
2012 Chevrolet Volt *Ranked by combined gas/electricity rating of 60 MPGe | Combined 60 | City 58/Highway 62 |
| PHEV, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Auto (variable gear ratios), Premium | ||||
| 5. |  |
2012 Toyota Prius | Combined 50 | City 51/Highway 48 |
| Hybrid, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Auto (variable gear ratios), Regular | ||||
| 6. |  |
2012 Honda Civic Hybrid | Combined 44 | City 44/Highway 44 |
| Hybrid, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Auto (variable gear ratios), Regular | ||||
| 7. |  |
2012 Toyota Prius V | Combined 42 | City 44/Highway 40 |
| Hybrid, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Auto (variable gear ratios), Regular | ||||
| 8. |  |
2012 Lexus CT 200h | Combined 42 | City 43/Highway 40 |
| Hybrid, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Auto (variable gear ratios), Regular | ||||
| 9. |  |
2012 Honda Insight | Combined 42 | City 41/Highway 44 |
| Hybrid, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Auto (variable gear ratios), Regular | ||||
| |
2012 Honda Insight | Combined 42 | City 41/Highway 44 | |
| Hybrid, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Auto (AV-S7), Regular | ||||
| 10. |  |
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE | Combined 41 | City 43/Highway 39 |
| Hybrid, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Auto (variable gear ratios), Regular |
Fueleconomy.gov's Top Ten EPA-Rated Fuel Sippers (1984 to present)
Vehicles are ranked by their combined rating (weighted by 55% city and 45% highway), then by their city rating. In the event of a tie, multiple vehicles may share the same ranking. Electric vehicles are not considered for this list.
| 1. | |
Chevrolet Volt Model Year 2011-2012 | Combined 60* | |
| PHEV, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Auto (variable gear ratios), Premium *Ranked by combined gas/electricity rating of 60 MPGe |
City 58 | Highway 62 | ||
| 2. |  |
Honda Insight Model Year 2000 | Combined 53 | |
| 3 cyl, 1.0L, Manual 5-spd, Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
City 49 | Highway 61 | ||
| 3. |  |
Toyota Prius Model Years 2010-2012 | Combined 50 | |
| 4 cyl, 1.8L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
City 51 | Highway 48 | ||
| 4. |  |
Chevrolet Sprint ER Model Year 1986 | Combined 48 | |
| 3 cyl, 1.0L, Manual 5-spd, Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
City 44 | Highway 53 | ||
| 5. |  |
Geo Metro Model Year 1989 | Combined 47 | |
| 3 cyl, 1.0L, Manual 5-spd, Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
City 43 | Highway 52 | ||
| 6. |  |
Honda Civic CRX HF Model Years 1986-1987 | Combined 46 | |
| 4 cyl, 1.5L, Manual 5-spd, Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
City 42 | Highway 51 | ||
| 7. | |
Honda Civic Hybrid Model Year 2012 | Combined 44 | |
| 4 cyl, 1.5L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
City 44 | Highway 44 | ||
| 8. |  |
Honda Civic HB VX Model Years 1994-1995 | Combined 43 | |
| 4 cyl, 1.5L, Manual 5-spd, Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
City 39 | Highway 50 | ||
| 9. | |
Toyota Prius v Model Year 2012 | Combined 42 | |
| 4 cyl, 1.8L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | City 44 | Highway 40 | ||
| 10. |  |
Lexus CT 200h Model Years 2011-2012 | Combined 42 | |
| 4 cyl, 1.8L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | City 43 | Highway 40 | ||
Vehicles are ranked by their combined rating (weighted by 55% city and 45% highway), then by their city rating. In the event of a tie, multiple vehicles may share the same ranking. Only the most efficient configuration of a particular model is presented for a given rank — variants of a ranked model are listed as "similar models" if they would have otherwise made the list. Models classified under different EPA size classes, however, are ranked separately.
Fueleconomy.gov's Top Ten Real-World Fuel Sippers (1984 to present)
| 1. |  |
Honda Insight Model Years 2004-2006 | User Average 71.2
(based on 12 Your MPG users)
|
| 3 cyl, 1.0L, Manual 5-spd, Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
EPA Combined 52 | ||
| 2. |  |
Honda Civic CRX HF Model Years 1990-1991 | User Average 50.5
(based on 11 Your MPG users)
|
| 4 cyl, 1.5L, Manual 5-spd, Regular | EPA Combined 43 | ||
| 3. |  |
Geo Metro XFI Model Years 1990-1994 | User Average 50.4
(based on 15 Your MPG users)
|
| 3 cyl, 1.0L, Manual 5-spd, Regular | EPA Combined 47 | ||
| 4. | |
Toyota Prius Model Years 2010-2011 | User Average 49.4
(based on 168 Your MPG users)
|
| 4 cyl, 1.8L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
EPA Combined 50 | ||
| 5. |  |
Honda Insight Model Years 2010-2011 | User Average 49.1
(based on 17 Your MPG users)
|
| 4 cyl, 1.3L, Auto(AV-S7), Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
EPA Combined 41 | ||
| 6. |  |
Volkswagen Jetta Wagon Model Years 2002-2003 | User Average 48.1
(based on 23 Your MPG users)
|
| 4 cyl, 1.9L, Manual 5-spd, Diesel | EPA Combined 39 | ||
| 7. |  |
Honda Civic Hybrid Model Years 2003-2005 | User Average 47.9
(based on 20 Your MPG users)
|
| 4 cyl, 1.3L, Manual 5-spd, Regular • Similar models that qualify... |
EPA Combined 41 | ||
| 8. |  |
Honda Civic HB VX Model Years 1992-1995 | User Average 47.1
(based on 14 Your MPG users)
|
| 4 cyl, 1.5L, Manual 5-spd, Regular | EPA Combined 43 | ||
| 9. |  |
Volkswagen Golf Model Years 2000-2003 | User Average 47.1
(based on 53 Your MPG users)
|
| 4 cyl, 1.9L, Manual 5-spd, Diesel | EPA Combined 38 | ||
| 10. |  |
Volkswagen Jetta Model Years 1985-1991 | User Average 46.4
(based on 13 Your MPG users)
|
| 4 cyl, 1.6L, Manual 5-spd, Diesel | EPA Combined 34 |
Vehicles are ranked based on fuel economy records provided by our users through Your MPG. Vehicles are only ranked if ten or more drivers submitted fuel economy estimates. If a model has variants that are nearly identical (e.g., same number of cylinders, engine displacement, transmission, fuel type, and EPA combined fuel economy rating), those records are combined and averaged. Variants that are not similar enough to be combined are included under "similar models" if they would have otherwise made the list. Only the most efficient configuration of a particular model is presented for a given rank. This list is updated weekly as new data are submitted by Your MPG members. Electric vehicles are not considered for this list.
Top Ten Misconceptions About Fuel Economy
| 1. |  You have to drive a small car to get good fuel economy. Advanced technologies like hybrid drivetrains, diesel engines, direct fuel injection, turbocharging, advanced transmissions, low rolling resistance tires and aerodynamic designs are allowing standard-sized vehicles to be very fuel efficient. For the 2012 model year, six of the top ten most efficient vehicles are midsized cars, wagons or SUVs. |
|
2.
|
 Manual transmissions always get better fuel economy than automatics. Advances in automatic transmissions have improved their efficiency to the point that the automatic version of a vehicle often gets the same or better fuel economy than the version with a manual transmission. For vehicles offered in both automatic and manual transmissions, consumers can easily compare fuel economy at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.shtml. |
| 3. |  It takes more fuel to start a vehicle than it does to let it idle. Modern fuel injected engines start very efficiently, especially when warmed up. Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour — depending on your vehicle's engine size — costing you about 1 to 2 cents per minute. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is sitting still, except when you are waiting in traffic or waiting in a line where you would need to turn it on and off frequently. Restarting your engine too frequently can wear out your starter. |
| 4. |  Vehicles need to warm up before they can be driven. Modern vehicles can be driven within seconds of being started, though the engine should not be subjected to extreme loads until it has reached its normal operating temperature. Plus, the quickest way to warm up a vehicle's engine is to drive it. |
| 5. |  As a vehicle ages, its fuel economy decreases significantly. A vehicle that is properly maintained will retain its efficiency for many years. The EPA tests vehicles with about 5,000 miles on the odometer to account for the break-in period since a vehicle's fuel economy will typically continue to improve over the first several years of ownership. Vehicles that are 10 or even 15 years old will experience little decrease in fuel economy if properly maintained. |
| 6. |  Replacing your air filter will help your car run more efficiently. This is true for older vehicles with carbureted engines, but modern fuel-injected engines have onboard computers that automatically adjust the fuel-air ratio to the proper level. Changing a dirty air filter won't increase your fuel economy, but it might improve your engine's performance. |
| 7. |  Aftermarket additives and devices can dramatically improve your fuel economy. Excluding full conversions that meet all EPA certification standards, tests have shown that such devices and additives do not improve fuel economy and may damage your engine and/or increase your tailpipe emissions. For further information, see "Gas-Saving Products: Fact or Fuelishness?" by the Federal Trade Commission. |
| 8. |  Using premium fuel improves fuel economy. Unless your vehicle was specifically designed for premium fuel or knocks severly with regular fuel, you will probably experience no benefit from using premium fuel over regular. Consult your owner's manual to see whether premium is recommended and under what conditions (e.g., towing). |
| 9. |  The EPA fuel economy estimates are a government guarantee on what fuel economy each vehicle will deliver. The primary purpose of EPA fuel economy estimates is to provide consumers with a uniform, unbiased way of comparing the relative efficiency of vehicles. Even though the EPA's test procedures are designed to reflect real-world driving conditions, no single test can accurately model all driving styles and environments. Differing fuel blends will also affect fuel economy. The use of gasoline with 10% ethanol can decrease fuel economy by about 3% due to its lower energy density. |
| 10. |  All vehicles are tested for fuel economy. Current testing regulations only require light-duty vehicles of 8,500 lbs or less to be tested for fuel economy. Several popular models, such as the Ford F250/350, Chevrolet/GMC 2500/3500, and Dodge 2500/3500 vehicles, exceed this weight limit and are therefore not tested and have no official fuel economy rating. The EPA also does not test motorcycles or four wheel vehicles that are not legal for highway driving like neighborhood vehicles. Beginning with the 2011 model year, passenger vehicles (vans and SUVs but NOT pickup trucks) up to 10,000 lbs will be required to have fuel economy labels. |
These misconceptions are based on user feedback to www.fueleconomy.gov and are listed in no particular order.